artha
|ar-tha|
šŗšø
/ĖÉrĪøÉ/
š¬š§
/ĖÉĖĪøÉ/
purpose / meaning / wealth
Etymology
'artha' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the word 'artha', where the root meant 'purpose, meaning, wealth'.
'artha' was borrowed into English from Sanskrit in modern scholarly usage (19th century onward) through transliteration in works on Indian philosophy and religion.
Initially it meant 'purpose' or 'wealth' in Sanskrit; in English it has retained those technical and interpretive senses and is used chiefly in academic or specialized contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in Indian (especially Hindu) philosophy, one of the four aims of life (dharma, artha, kama, moksha): material prosperity, wealth, and economic security.
In classical Indian ethics, artha is pursued alongside dharma and kama.
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Noun 2
meaning, sense, or significance of a word, phrase, or passage (used in linguistic or interpretive contexts).
Scholars debated the artha of the verse in the ancient text.
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Noun 3
a purpose, aim, or objective (general use).
The artha of the policy is to improve local livelihoods.
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Last updated: 2025/10/22 12:14