Dharma

• Dharma is considered a virtue, however the actual definition of a virtue varies depending on a person's membership within the religion. Each member of the Hindu religion is assigned a caste or duty. Part of following your virtue is performing your jobs and duties. If you attempt to perform someone else's caste duties, you are in violation of your caste. The dharma virtue is also dependent on your stage of life. Whatever the caste, when following Dharma, the job should be done to the best of the member's ability.
  
  

Artha

• Artha is all about striving for success. Success is defined in both power and also wealth. For Hindus, this means that it is important to be successful. Success can be through a business or through politics. This type of material success is attained at a certain stage of life, typically the householder stage.
  
  

Kama

• Kama means pleasure. This pleasure is of any kind, including dance, drama, music, art, poetry and sex. Again, like Artha, it is an important part of Hinduism to appreciate and support any form of pleasure. However, keep in mind that Kama should always be performed within the guidelines of Dharma.
  
  

Moksha

• The only goal that is linked to "life is bad" is Moksha. The Moksha goal is releasing yourself from life, believing that life is bad. This means that a follower must turn away from life. When this goal is first started, it will require a member to turn away from the first goals, including pleasure, education, success, family and comfort. During this goal, it also requires members to spend time in isolation. This is a time for introspection and finding one's place in the cosmos.