Progressive Utilization Theory - Five Fundamental Principles

Five Fundamental Principles

In 1962, Sarkar outlined PROUT in sixteen numbered Samskrta aphorisms (see Chapter 5 of Ananda Sutram). The last five numbered aphorisms (5:12-16) are commonly referred to as the five fundamental principles of PROUT. These five principles are deemed to be fundamental, because it would be difficult to get a clear understanding of PROUT without comprehending the underlying concepts of these principles, the interrelationship of the principles, and their respective areas of application.

The five aphorisms from Ananda Sutram translate into English as follows:

1. There should be no accumulation of wealth without the permission of society.
2. There should be maximum utilization and rational distribution of the crude, subtle, and causal resources.
3. There should be maximum utilization of the physical, mental, and spiritual potentialities of the individual and collective beings.
4. There should be a well-balanced adjustment among the crude, subtle, and causal utilizations.
5. Utilizations vary in accordance with time, space, and form; the utilizations should be progressive.

An initial glimpse of these five principles first appeared in Sarkar's earlier work, Idea and Ideology.