Artha Pancakam

Arthapancakam (text in Adhawin Font, Roman text and PDF ) is said to be a masterpiece of the use of systematic arrangement to determine the interrelationship of key Visistadvaita concepts. While earlier thinkers has enumerated the five prerequisites for the attainment of any goal (artha), Pillai Lokacarya enumerates five subheadings for each of the five usual categories and in this way presents a vast orderly map of Visistadvaita.

The Electronic version of the text is presented with a Translation and Commentary in English by Sri A. Govindacarya Swamin, Published in the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 1910.

A. The realization of oneself (svasvarUpa)

1. Eternally relased souls (nityas).
2. Released souls (muktas).
3. Souls bound in Samsara (bhaddhas).
4. Souls that are interested in obtaining enjoyment solely for themselves without rebirth in a place called kaivalyamoksha (which is beyond samsara but not in paramapadam).
5. Souls that desire libearation (mumukshus).

B. The understanding of the essential form of the Supreme (parasvarUpa)

1. The Supreme (para).
2. The emanatory (vyUha).
3. The incarnation (vibhava).
4. The image (arcA).
5. The form residing within the heart (anataryAmin).

C. The understanding of the essential form of the goals of man (purushArthasvarUpa)

1. Dharma.
2. Wealth (artha).
3. Desire (Kama).
4. Enjoyment of Soul (AtmAnubhava).
5. enjoyment of the Lord (bhagavadanubhava).

D. The understanding of the essential form for the means (upAyasvarUpa)

1. Action (karma).
2. Knowledge (jnAna).
3. Devotion (bhakti).
4. Surrender (prapatti).
5. Respect to the Acarya (acArayAbhimAna).

E. The understanding of the essential nature of the obstructions (virodhisvarUpa)

1. Improper understanding of one's own nature (svasvarUpavirodhi).
2. Not properly understanding the Supreme (parasvarUpavirodhi).
3. Seeking the goal with the motive of self interest (purushArthavirodhi).
4. Not having strong faith in the means (upAyavirodhi).
5. Erring against the Lord and his devotees and not repenting for this act (prAptivirodhi).