Every financial guru, business coach, and wealth mentor will tell you the same thing: true success requires ruthlessness. To get ahead, you must cut corners. To accumulate wealth, you must prioritize profit over people. To build an empire, you must occasionally—or frequently—violate your own ethics.
But here’s the paradox:
If this is true, why is Artha (the pursuit of wealth, resources, and security) listed as one of the four essential goals of human life in Hindu philosophy?
Why would ancient sages who gave us the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita—texts that emphasize truth, compassion, and selflessness—celebrate material success as a legitimate life goal?
The answer is simple: They had a radically different definition of wealth.
The Bhagavad Gita doesn’t teach you how to become rich at any cost. It teaches you how to make your wealth a source of strength, not bondage. It shows you how financial success and ethical integrity are not opposing forces—they’re complementary.
This is the forgotten law of Dharma-bound Artha: wealth pursued within the framework of righteousness.
Today, we’re reclaiming this ancient wisdom and discovering the three duties of ethical wealth that can transform your relationship with money, success, and purpose.
Purushartha (पुरुषार्थ) is a Sanskrit compound:
Translation: “The objectives of human existence” or “the goals of life.”
Hindu philosophy identifies four Purusharthas that together constitute a complete, balanced life:
Definition: Moral duty, ethical conduct, living in alignment with cosmic and social order.
Core Principle: Your actions should uphold truth (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), compassion (karuna), and righteousness.
In Practice:
Dharma is the foundation—all other pursuits must be built upon it.
Definition: The pursuit of wealth, resources, security, and the means to live a meaningful life.
Not Just Money: Artha includes:
Core Principle: Prosperity is not evil—it’s necessary. But it must be pursued within Dharma’s boundaries.
The Misunderstanding:
Modern society detaches Artha from Dharma, treating wealth as:
The Correct Understanding:
Artha is the fuel for your Dharma. You need resources to:
Definition: The legitimate pursuit of desires, pleasures, love, beauty, art, enjoyment.
Not Just Sensual: Kama includes:
Core Principle: Desire is natural and should be fulfilled—but within ethical boundaries (Dharma) and without compromising security (Artha).
The Balance:
Kama pursued without Dharma = destructive hedonism
Kama pursued without Artha = unstable pleasure
Kama within Dharma + Artha = sustainable happiness
Definition: Spiritual freedom, liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), self-realization.
The Ultimate Goal: While Dharma, Artha, and Kama are legitimate worldly pursuits, Moksha is the ultimate destination—freedom from all bondage, including material attachment.
The Journey:
Youth (Brahmacharya): Focus on learning Dharma
Householder (Grihastha): Actively pursue Artha and Kama within Dharma
Retirement (Vanaprastha): Gradual detachment, increased spiritual focus
Renunciation (Sannyasa): Complete focus on Moksha
In contemporary society—especially capitalist, globalized economies—we’ve made a catastrophic philosophical error:
We’ve separated wealth from ethics.
The result:
The Bhagavad Gita diagnosed this problem 5,000 years ago:
Chapter 16, Verses 13-15 (describing the Asura or demonic mindset):
इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम्।
इदमस्तीदमपि मे भविष्यति पुनर्धनम्॥
अस मया हतः शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि।
ईश्वरोऽहमहं भोगी सिद्धोऽहं बलवान्सुखी॥
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया।
यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः॥
Translation: “‘I have gained this wealth today; I will fulfill this desire next. This is mine now; this wealth also will be mine in future.
That enemy has been slain by me, and I shall slay others too. I am the lord, I am the enjoyer, I am successful, powerful, and happy.
I am rich and high-born. Who is equal to me? I will sacrifice, I will give charity, I will rejoice’—thus deluded by ignorance.”
The Asura mindset:
Sound familiar? This is modern corporate culture.
Yajna (यज्ञ) is often translated as “sacrifice” or “offering,” but its meaning is much deeper.
Root: यज् (yaj) = to worship, to offer, to give
Philosophical Definition: Any action performed with the consciousness of:
Yajna is the principle that transforms selfish action into dharmic action.
Sanskrit:
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्॥
Transliteration: Yajña-śhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ santo muchyante sarva-kilbiṣhaiḥ
Bhuñjate te tvaghaṁ pāpā ye pachantyātma-kāraṇāt
Word-by-Word:
Translation:
“The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. But those who cook food only for their own sake, verily eat sin.“
This isn’t literally about cooking food.
It’s a powerful metaphor for how we engage with the world’s resources:
“Those who cook food only for themselves” =
“Those who eat the remnants of yajna” =
The great Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE) explains in his commentary (Bhashya) on this verse:
“Those who are habituated to eat the remnants (of offerings), having made offerings to the gods and others… they become freed from all sins… But the unholy persons who are selfish, who cook for themselves, they being themselves sinful, incur sin.”
He identifies five “great offerings” (Pancha Mahayajnas) that householders should make daily:
The principle: Before you consume, contribute.
In business terms:
In personal finance:
Based on the Gita’s teachings and classical commentaries, we can distill ethical wealth pursuit into three actionable duties:
Question: How are you making the money?
Principle: The means matter as much as the ends.
Bhagavad Gita 18.23-25 categorizes actions by Gunas (qualities):
Sattvic (Pure) Action:
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।
अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते॥
“Action that is obligatory, performed without attachment, without love or hatred, by one who does not desire results—that is said to be Sattvic.”
Rajasic (Passionate) Action:
“Action performed with much effort by one who seeks to gratify desires, impelled by ego—that is Rajasic.”
Tamasic (Ignorant) Action:
“Action undertaken out of delusion, without regard for consequences, loss, harm to others, or one’s own ability—that is Tamasic.”
In Wealth Creation:
Sattvic Artha:
Rajasic Artha:
Tamasic Artha:
The Gita’s verdict: Only Sattvic Artha is truly dharmic. Rajasic may succeed temporarily but creates karmic debt. Tamasic destroys the soul.
Question: What are you doing with the wealth you’ve earned?
Principle: Once earned ethically, your wealth has a dharma (duty/nature). You must maintain it responsibly.
Why Maintenance is Dharmic:
Bhagavad Gita 3.21 (Krishna to Arjuna):
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥
“Whatever a great person does, common people follow. Whatever standards they set, the world pursues.”
As a wealth holder, you are a leader (whether you realize it or not). How you manage resources sets an example.
Responsible Wealth Management:
1. Security for Dependents
2. Productive Deployment
3. Avoiding Waste
Arthashastra (Kautilya’s ancient treatise on statecraft and economics) states:
“Wealth will slip away from that childish man who constantly consults the stars. The hoarded wealth of kings who are intent on the pursuit of pleasure and wealth without consideration of Dharma, and are engaged in doing harm to living beings, is soon scattered.”
Translation: Wealth requires active, intelligent, ethical management. Neglect it (or pursue it without Dharma), and it dissipates.
Question: Are you giving back?
Principle: A portion of your wealth is not yours. It must be recycled into the cosmic/social order.
This is the forgotten purpose of wealth—the reason Artha is celebrated in Dharma.
Bhagavad Gita 3.12:
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः।
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः॥
“The demigods [cosmic forces], nourished by yajna, will bestow upon you desired objects. But one who enjoys what is given by them without offering in return is verily a thief.”
The Cosmic Reciprocity:
You didn’t create wealth in a vacuum. You benefited from:
To keep what you receive without giving back is philosophical theft.
Dana (Giving):
Three Types of Dana (Bhagavad Gita 17.20-22):
1. Sattvic Dana:
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे।
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्॥
“That gift which is given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person—that is considered Sattvic.”
Characteristics:
2. Rajasic Dana:
“That which is given reluctantly, with expectation of return, or with desire for reward—that is Rajasic.”
Example: Donating for publicity, tax benefits, social status
3. Tamasic Dana:
“That which is given at the wrong time and place, to unworthy persons, without respect, and with contempt—that is Tamasic.”
Example: Throwing coins at beggars disdainfully, supporting harmful causes
The Minimum Standard:
Ancient texts often recommend giving at least 10% of income in Dana:
Modern Application:
Why Dana Frees You:
Bhagavad Gita 3.9:
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर॥
“Work must be done as a yajna (offering); otherwise it becomes a cause of bondage. Therefore, O Arjuna, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will remain free from bondage.”
The Psychology:
When you give without expectation:
This is how Dana leads toward Moksha—it transforms wealth from a chain into a tool.
Modern culture presents a false choice:
The Bhagavad Gita rejects this dichotomy entirely.
Krishna’s Teaching: You can—and should—be both prosperous and righteous.
Bhagavad Gita 4.22:
यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः।
समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते॥
“Content with whatever comes without effort, free from dualities, without envy, equanimous in success and failure—such a person is never bound, even though they perform actions.”
The key: Detachment from outcomes while fully engaged in dharmic action.
Step 1: Define Your Svadharma
Question: What is your unique role/calling/talent?
Not everyone’s dharma is the same:
Find the intersection of:
This is your Svadharma-Artha sweet spot.
Step 2: Pursue Artha Within Dharma
The Three Questions:
If yes to all three → Pursue boldly.
Step 3: Measure Success Differently
Conventional Metrics:
Dharmic Metrics:
Bhagavad Gita 2.47:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
“You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
Translation for Business:
Step 4: Practice Dana Consistently
Make giving non-negotiable:
This rewires your relationship with wealth:
1. The Tata Family (India)
Jamsetji Tata (1839-1904) founded the Tata Group with explicit dharmic principles:
His Vision:
“In a free enterprise, the community is not just another stakeholder in business, but is in fact the very purpose of its existence.”
Tata Group Philosophy:
Result: One of India’s largest conglomerates + massive social impact
This is Artha serving Dharma at scale.
2. Sudha Murty (Author, Philanthropist)
Early Career: Software engineer, first female engineer at TELS Business: Co-founded Infosys with husband Narayan Murthy Philanthropy: Chairperson of Infosys Foundation
Her Approach:
Quote:
“Money should be used like manure—spread it around to help things grow.”
3. Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia Founder)
2022 Decision: Gave away $3 billion company to environmental trusts
Principle:
“Earth is now our only shareholder.”
Business Model:
This is Yajna in modern business.
4. Paul Polman (Former Unilever CEO)
Tenure (2009-2019): Focused on “Sustainable Living Plan”
Approach:
Result: Company value doubled while doing good
Short Answer: No. They’ll enhance it.
Long Answer:
Research (Harvard Business Review, 2016):
Spiritual Answer (Bhagavad Gita 9.22):
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते।
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्॥
“To those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My Form, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.”
Translation: When you align with Dharma, the universe supports you. Not magically—but through:
No. CSR is often:
Dharmic Artha is:
The difference: CSR is damage control. Dharmic Artha prevents damage.
Dana isn’t only money:
Start where you are:
The percentage matters less than the consistency and spirit.
Bhagavad Gita 17.20 (repeated):
“Dana given out of duty, without expectation, to the worthy—that is Sattvic.”
Even $1 given with the right spirit is dharmic Dana.
The Bhagavad Gita’s teaching on wealth is neither ascetic nor hedonistic—it’s integrated.
The False Paths:
Path 1: Renunciation (Traditional Monk)
Path 2: Unbridled Capitalism (Modern Default)
The Dharmic Path:
Wealth pursued with:
Results in:
This is the forgotten teaching:
Your Dharma and your financial success are not separate.
Your prosperity and your ethics are not opposed.
Your wealth and your liberation are not contradictory.
When Artha is pursued within Dharma:
The next time you make a financial decision, ask yourself:
1. Process: Am I earning this ethically?
2. Maintenance: Am I managing this responsibly?
3. Distribution: Am I giving back?
If yes to all three → Proceed with confidence.
Because you’re not just building wealth.
You’re fulfilling your Dharma.
And that—according to 5,000 years of Vedic wisdom—is the true purpose of prosperity.
Jayanth Dev is an author writing on Hindu scriptures, Sanatana Dharma, and mythological narratives through books, long-form articles, and explanatory talks.
His work focuses on examining scriptural ideas in context—drawing from the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas to clarify commonly misunderstood concepts and traditions. Across both fiction and non-fiction, he approaches Sanatana thought as a living framework rather than a static belief system.
Jayanth is the author of I Met Parashurama, Escaping the Unknown, and the Dhantasura series.
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