Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s3.51

c6.s3.51

The significance of *artha* is clearly expounded by Arjuna in his discourse to Yudhiṣṭhira when he wishes to retire to the forest after the catastrophe at Kurukṣētra. Arjuna says *artha* is the means for *dharma*, *kāma* and the ultimate realization of heaven. Life is not worth living without *artha*. Like the summer pond a man dispossessed of the waters of *artha* becomes unfit for anything in the world. A man of wealth is alone the person to reckon with. Wealth is both a friend and a relative. Happiness and anger, learning and conduct originate from this. The progress of society and welfare depends on this. It is a never-failing current of deep waters.³ Thus it becomes clear that there are two schools of Indian thought, one taking *dharma* as a paramount factor, and the other *artha* or wealth but without prejudice to *dharma*.