"There are four purusharthas – Kama, artha, dharma and Moksha of which the last one is the highest. The three earlier purusarthas in the order they are mentioned do not however represent the progressive steps of the ladder such that kama comes first, then artha and then dharma. As a matter of fact, dharma pervades both kama and artha such that in the observance of both of them dharma must be our essential guide."