The Arc of Trivarga

Trivarga is a Sanskrit phrase that means "three sets" or "three categories". It refers to the three major goals of human existence as defined by ancient Indian moral philosophy: dharma, artha, and kama. These are sometimes interpreted as virtue, money, and pleasure, in that order. They symbolize the three realms of human activities and endeavors that benefit the individual who engages in them.

In the Indian context, trivarga implies that it gives a framework for understanding and assessing human behaviors and aims. It also depicts the complexities and diversity of human nature and wants. Varied people will have varied preferences and priorities among the three categories, and different situations will necessitate different balances and trade-offs. Some individuals respect dharma more than artha or kama, while others seek a perfect balance of all three. Some individuals pursue artha or kama at the price of dharma, while others forsake them to practice dharma. Some individuals believe that moksha, or emancipation from the cycle of reincarnation, is the ultimate objective after trivarga, while others do not.

Trivarga is a fluid and dynamic notion that can be changed and used in numerous situations and scenarios. It can also be viewed as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. Trivarga's ultimate goal is to attain pleasure and well-being for oneself and others in line with one's nature and responsibility. Trivarga can also be used to prepare for moksha by establishing detachment and distinction between different parts of existence.

Trivarga is still relevant and beneficial in today's Indian environment, as it may assist individuals in navigating the obstacles and possibilities of modern society. It can also promote harmony and balance among the numerous facets of human existence: personal, societal, ethical, economic, spiritual, and so on. Trivarga can also motivate people to follow their hobbies and talents while keeping their obligations and consequences in mind.

Relation to Yoga and Meditation

Yoga is a set of physical, mental, and spiritual practices aimed at uniting the individual self (jiva) with the ultimate self (Brahman). Yoga means "union" or "connection" in several languages. Yoga seeks to attain harmony and balance among the three components of trivarga: dharma, artha, and kama. Yoga teaches how to carry out one's responsibilities (dharma) by one's nature and stage of life, how to gain and manage riches (artha) righteously and ethically, and how to enjoy sensual pleasures (kama) without attachment or excess.

The practice of focusing one's attention on a single object, idea, or feeling to calm the mind and achieve a level of awareness and concentration is known as meditation. Meditation is an essential component of yoga because it helps to cleanse the mind of pollutants and distractions and prepares it for higher levels of consciousness. Meditation also aids in the development of detachment and differentiation between the three components of trivarga: dharma, artha, and kama. Meditation teaches us to distinguish between what is necessary and what is not, between what is true and what is illusory, between what is permanent and what is temporary.

Trataka is a sort of meditation in which you stare at a single point, such as a tiny item, a black dot, or a candle flame. It is a yogic purification (a shatkarma) and tantric meditation practice that aids in the improvement of attention, eyesight, memory, and intuition. It also activates the pineal gland and the third eye chakra (Ajna), both of which are linked to spiritual insight and wisdom.

Psychological Implication

The psychological implications of trivarga can be understood from different perspectives, such as:

• Developmental psychology: This discipline of psychology investigates how individuals develop and change over the course of their lives. It investigates how various periods of life are related to various problems and possibilities for learning and growth. Trivarga may be viewed as a framework for comprehending the various aims and demands of people at various periods of life. In Hinduism, for example, there are four stages of life (ashramas): student (brahmacharya), householder (grihastha), retiree (vanaprastha), and renunciant (sannyasa). Each stage has its own set of responsibilities (dharma), means (artha), and joys (kama) that are suited for the person's progress and well-being.
• Personality psychology: This discipline of psychology investigates how people differ in terms of their qualities, motivations, emotions, and behaviors. It investigates how people show their uniqueness and individuality in diverse contexts. Trivarga may be viewed as a framework for comprehending the complexities and diversity of human nature and wants. Varied persons may have varied preferences and priorities among the three trivarga categories, and different situations may need different balances and trade-offs.?For example, Some individuals respect dharma more than artha or kama, while others seek a perfect balance of all three. Some individuals pursue artha or kama at the price of dharma, while others forsake them to practice dharma. Some individuals believe that moksha, or emancipation from the cycle of reincarnation, is the ultimate objective after trivarga, while others do not.
• Social psychology: This subfield of psychology investigates how individuals interact with one another in groups and societies. It investigates the effects of social norms, roles, expectancies, and influences on human behavior and cognition. Trivarga may be viewed as a framework for comprehending and assessing human behaviors and objectives about others. It also represents a culture's or society's beliefs and ideals. In the Hindu faith, for example, there are four classes (varnas): priests (Brahmanas), warriors (ksatriyas), merchants (vaisyas), and laborers (shudras). Each class has its own set of responsibilities (dharma), means (artha), and joys (kama) that are appropriate and useful to societal order and peace.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The relation between trivarga and mental health and well-being can be understood from different perspectives, such as:

• Positive psychology: This discipline of psychology is concerned with the empirical investigation of human characteristics and virtues that enable people and societies to flourish. It investigates how positive emotions, behaviors, and relationships may help people improve their happiness, well-being, and resilience. Trivarga may be viewed as a framework for developing positive psychology since it assists people in pursuing their objectives and needs in a balanced and comprehensive manner. Trivarga explains how to create harmony and fulfillment between the three components of dharma, artha, and kama. It also pushes individuals to seek greater values and meanings outside of trivarga, such as moksha, or freedom from the reincarnation cycle.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This is a type of psychotherapy that tries to assist people in changing negative beliefs and behaviors that create or exacerbate emotional difficulties. It investigates how people might recognize and confront unreasonable ideas and assumptions that impede their functioning and well-being. Trivarga may be viewed as a framework for enhancing cognitive-behavioral therapy since it assists people in evaluating their behaviors and objectives about their beliefs and outcomes. Trivarga teaches how to distinguish between what is necessary and what is not, between what is true and what is illusory, between what is permanent and what is temporary. It also assists people in developing coping skills and methods for dealing with life's obstacles and uncertainties.
• Mindfulness: This is a practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance. It looks at how people can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain by cultivating awareness and compassion for themselves and others. Mindfulness is an integral part of yoga and meditation, which are also related to trivarga. Trivarga can be seen as a framework for enhancing mindfulness, as it helps people to focus on the quality rather than the quantity of their experiences. Trivarga teaches how to enjoy sensual pleasures (kāma) without attachment or excess, how to acquire and use wealth (artha) righteously and ethically, and how to perform one’s duties (dharma) by one’s nature and stage of life.

Stages and Models

There are different stages and models of trivarga that can be found in various texts and traditions of Indian moral philosophy. Some of them are:

• The four stages of life (ā?ramas): According to this model, each stage of life has its duties (dharma), means (artha), and pleasures (kāma) that are appropriate and conducive to the person’s growth and well-being. The four stages are a student (brahmacharya), householder (g?hastha), retiree (vānaprastha), and renunciant (sa?nyāsa).

• The four classes (var?as): According to this model, each class has its duties (dharma), means (artha), and pleasures (kāma) that are suitable and beneficial for the social order and harmony. The four classes are priests (brāhma?as), warriors (k?atriyas), merchants (vai?yas), and workers (?ūdras).

• The three modes of nature (gu?as): According to this model, each mode of nature has its characteristics and influences on the person’s behavior and cognition. The three modes are purity (sattva), passion (rajas), and ignorance (tamas). A person can transcend the three modes by practicing yoga and meditation, and attain liberation (mok?a) from the cycle of rebirth.

• The three types of happiness (sukha): According to this model, each type of happiness has its source and effect on the person’s well-being. The three types are: material happiness (bhautika sukha), mental happiness (mānasika sukha), and spiritual happiness (ātmika sukha). A person can achieve the highest happiness by realizing their true self (ātman) and their identity with the supreme self (Brahman).

Why in need?

It offers a framework for comprehending and assessing human behaviors and objectives. It assists individuals in aligning their activities with their beliefs and consequences, as well as in holistically balancing their wants and desires. It also represents the diversity and complexities of human nature and desires, since different people may have various preferences and priorities among the three trivarga categories, and different situations may need different balances and trade-offs among them.

It promotes peace and contentment in all aspects of human existence: personal, social, ethical, economic, spiritual, and so forth. It teaches how to find happiness and well-being for oneself and others while being true to one's nature and purpose. It also pushes individuals to seek greater values and meanings outside of trivarga, such as moksha, or freedom from the reincarnation cycle.

It motivates people to follow their hobbies and talents while keeping their responsibilities and commitments in mind. It assists individuals in developing good emotions, behaviors, and connections that allow them to flourish in a variety of settings. It also assists people in developing coping skills and methods for dealing with life's obstacles and uncertainties.

How to practice it?

To practice trivarga, one should follow the guidelines given in the scriptures and traditions of Hinduism, such as:

• Performing one’s duties and obligations according to one’s varna (social class) and ashrama (stage of life) with a sense of detachment and devotion to God. This is the essence of dharma, which ensures harmony and order in society and oneself.
• Pursuing wealth and prosperity through lawful and ethical means, without greed or attachment. This is the meaning of artha, which enables one to fulfill one’s material needs and support one’s family and society.
• Enjoying sensual pleasures and happiness within the limits of morality and moderation. This is the definition of kama, which enriches one’s life with joy and beauty.

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