What does Chapter 17 say about the true purpose of human life and the struggles involved in achieving it?

Chapter 17 defines the true purpose of human life (Purushartha) as the act of discarding Preya (the Pleasant) and honoring Shreya (the Good). This chapter explains that the journey is a struggle, as man suffers from the unendurable torments of worldly existence, or Samsara. When a person becomes exhausted by this sorrow, they begin to search for a way to stop this cycle. According to Chapter 17, this is where true human effort begins, strengthening one's intellect to overcome obstacles and choose the path of salvation for one's own true self-interest.