This earth is known as Karmabhoomi, where both humans and animals roam together and do work to fulfill their respective purposes, but there is a fundamental difference in the work of both of them. The action of an animal is natural, instinctual and irrational, limited to survival and fulfillment of appetite, whereas the action of a human being is rational, value-based and goal-oriented. This sensible action is called effort.-Dr. Rajjan Kumar, Retired Professor
The general meaning of effort is conscious effort made to fulfill one’s objective or expectation. Animals also perform actions, but their actions do not go beyond biological needs. On the contrary, man’s efforts are a symbol of his will to live, consciousness and spiritual progress. The efforts made by human beings include all the dimensions of worldly and supernatural, physical and spiritual, moral and religious. For this reason, it can also be evaluated at the moral, social, cultural and spiritual level.
In Indian philosophy, effort has been considered the basic goal of human life. The word ‘Purusartha’ means “the aim of a man” or “the goal of a human being”. In the scriptures, four main efforts of human life have been mentioned – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, which are also called ‘Chaturvarga’. Together, these four pave the way to make human life balanced, dignified and meaningful. Human effort is not a irrational or aimless effort, but a conscious undertaking that gives a better direction to life.
The effort that a human being makes to satisfy all four, body, mind, intellect and soul, is called Purushartha. In these four efforts, salvation is considered the ultimate goal, while religion, artha and kama are its means. Only their balanced coordination presents the ideal of a complete human life.
Dharma is the governing principle of all four efforts. Religion is that value principle which maintains the balance of life, society and creation. It means moral duty, virtue, purity, nature and proper conduct. Ten characteristics of religion have been described in Manusmriti – forgiveness, strength, astheya, defecation, control of senses, knowledge, knowledge, truth and control of anger. Religion awakens the conscience of good and bad in man and accepts the principle of karma. It is a popular belief that virtuous deeds accompany a person even after death.
Artha is the second major effort, which is related to material resources and fulfillment of needs. Meaning of wealth is not only money or property, but all those means which are helpful in subsistence and fulfillment of social responsibilities. Artha is necessary for works like Panchmahayagya, charity, hospitality, child rearing and social welfare. In Grihastha Ashram, special emphasis has been laid on earning money, but the scriptures also say that earning money should be within moral and religious limits. The ideal form of meaning is that a person should not consider excess money as his personal property but should consider it as a trust of the society.
Kama is the third purushaartha, which is often linked only to enjoyment or sexual desire, whereas its meaning is much broader. Kama represents all the desires, aspirations, emotions and aesthetics of man. It symbolizes the joy of life – on all levels, physical, mental and creative. Literature, music, art, dance and love are all extensions of work. Work provides mental balance to a person and helps in maintaining the continuity of society in household life. Only after the satisfaction of desires, a person attains detachment from them and moves towards salvation. Moksha is the fourth and final effort. When a person attains self-knowledge through the coordination of Dharma, Artha and Kama and is freed from the shackles of ignorance, then the state of salvation comes. Moksha means freedom from the cycle of birth and death and union of the soul with the ultimate truth. This state provides a feeling of lasting happiness, peace and fulfillment.
According to the scriptures, there are three paths to attain salvation – Karmayoga, Gyanyoga and Bhaktiyoga. Karmayoga emphasizes on selfless action, Jnanayoga is based on self-realization and wisdom and Bhaktiyoga shows the path to attain God through love, devotion and dedication. In these, Bhaktiyoga is considered easy and accessible, while Gyanyoga is considered difficult and Karmayoga refines life and leads to devotion. The importance of effort lies in the fact that it establishes a balance between selfishness and altruism. It not only leads a person to personal development but also makes him aware of social and moral responsibilities. Religion disciplines life, fulfills economic needs, lust fills life with joy and salvation provides the ultimate goal of life. In this way, effort is that meaningful power of human life, which shows the path to attain salvation by following religion even amidst worldly pleasures. Only the balanced coordination of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha makes human life complete, valuable and meaningful.