We need to know how Veda guides us in the foremost goal of ours – ‘ārtha’.

To live, our basic survival needs are nourishment to keep our wellbeing, outfit to uphold human dignity and a shelter for safety. Every human-being has the right for these basic needs. Veda commands that we honour this commitment and our key endeavour must be to achieve these basic needs for all, ensuring no one is left behind. Who can argue with that supreme instruction! Nature does provide for everyone’s needs; no one’s greed should obstruct that.

Of course, there are many rites and actions given in the Veda, to implement this supreme goal. But when it comes to prescriptive steps, Veda leaves to the heritage of the land; as a result, in the name of religion, sects, schools of thought etc., the rites may vary. Most of us got trapped in the rites and forget the underlying ‘rights’ of every human-being. That is a different story to ponder and perfect!

But do we simply stop and be content with our basic needs in life? That would be too boring, is it not! So, what is our next goal after meeting our basic survival needs?

(to be continued – Mee. Rajagopalan – 18/05/2017)