According to Chapter 17, what is 'Purushartha' and what role does it play in overcoming Maya and other obstacles to attaining knowledge?

Chapter 17 defines 'Purushartha,' or true human effort, as the dedicated struggle for the sake of Shreya, the path of salvation. This spiritual effort is said to be born when a person, exhausted by the suffering of worldly existence (Samsara), begins to seek a way to end it. The chapter identifies a primary obstacle as 'Maya' or beginningless ignorance, a false imposition as unreal as a mirage or gold found in a dream that vanishes upon waking. Purushartha involves strengthening one's intellect to choose Shreya over Preya. Furthermore, this effort is essential to overcome other hindrances like lust and anger, which are described as tendencies that disrupt the crucial spiritual practices of listening, contemplation, and meditation required for attaining knowledge.