The Righteous Duties of Castes and Stages in Life - Verse 54
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · 2 · Verse 54
Sanskrit Original
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः। जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः।।
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ| jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ||
If a holy act is against the interest of other members of the society, it should not be practised. It is Dharma which is the source of Artha and even of Kama. 55-56a. Righteous conduct [Dharma) is conducive to emancipation from Samsdra. Hence one should resort to Dharma. Dharma, Artha and Kama are together called Trivarga (the three main objectives of worldly life). They consist of the three Gums viz. Sattva, Rajas and Tamos. Hence one should resort to Dharma. 28 Kurma Pur ana 56b-57a. Those who adhere to Sattva-guria go to higher regions, those who have Rdjasic qualities stay in the middle, those who possess Tamasa qualities go down to lower regions, as they indulge in mean type of activities.^ 57b-58. A person, in whom and A'ama live side by side supported by Dharma, becomes happy in this world and be¬ comes entitled for infinite nature (eternal salvation) after death. Dharma is thus the source of salvation and Kama originates from wealth.