Bhaktisandesam / Hinduism & Dharma.

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What is Dharma?

 

What You need to Know:

 

Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according

to the codes of conduct as described by the Vedas and Upanishads.

Dharma means " that which holds " the people of this world and the

whole creation. It refers to the religious ethics as propounded by

Hindu gurus in ancient Indian scriptures. Tulsidas, author of

Ramcharitmanas, has defined the root of dharma as compassion. This

principle was taken up by Lord Buddha in his immortal book of great

wisdom, Dhammapada.

 

Hinduism describes dharma as the natural universal laws whose

observance enables humans to be contented and happy, and to save

himself from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law

combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus

consider dharma the very foundation of life. Atharva Veda describes

dharma symbolically: Prithivim dharmana dhritam, that is, " this world

is upheld by dharma " .

 

Hinduism accepts the concept of reincarnation, and what determines

the state of an individual in the next existence is karma which

refers to the actions undertaken by the body and the mind. In order

to achieve good karma it is important to live life according to

dharma, what is right. This involves doing what is right for the

individual, the family, the class or caste and also for the universe

itself.

 

Dharma is like a cosmic norm and if one goes against the norm it can

result in bad karma. So, dharma affects the future according to the

karma accumulated. Therefore one's dharmic path in the next life is

the one necessary to bring to fruition all the results of past karma.

 

The term dharma can best be explained as the " law of being " without

which things cannot exist, just as the essential factor in human

being is life - the atman without which he cannot exist. Therefore

the dharma of human being is atman. And hence any good atmic quality

is dharmic. Dharma therefore implies duty - a course of conduct. For

example, Hinduism endorses the idea that it is one's dharma to marry,

raise a family and provide for that family in whatever way is

necessary.

 

Anything that helps human being to reach god is dharma and anything

that hinders human being from reaching god is adharma. For instance,

in the epic poem Mahabharata, the Pandavas represent dharma in life

and the Kauravas represent adharma.

 

The essence of dharma lies in possessing a certain ability, power and

spiritual strength. Vedic Dharma is always truthful because its basis

is the unique combination of spiritual brilliance and physical

prowess.

 

Hindu saints have classified all human aspirations under four broad

categories: dharma, kama (desire), artha (money) and moksha

(liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The practice of

dharma gives an experience of peace, joy, strength and tranquillity

within one's self and makes life disciplined. Of these four values

the majority of human beings pursue artha and kama, and the more

sensitive individual pursue dharma, while very few are conscious if

the moksha - ideal spiritual aspiration.

 

According to the Bhagavat Purana, righteous living or life on a

dharmic path has four aspects: austerity (tap), purity (shauch),

compassion (daya) and truthfulness (satya); and adharmic or

unrighteous life has three vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sangh),

and intoxication (madya).

 

Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu, prescribes ten essential

rules for the observance of dharma: Patience (dhriti), forgiveness

(kshama), piety or self control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity

(shauch), control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), reason (dhi),

knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of

anger (krodha). Manu further writes, " Non-violence, truth, non-

coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence

of dharma " . Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but

all in society.

 

The purpose of dharma is not only to attain a union of the soul with

the supreme reality, it also suggests a code of conduct that is

intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Rishi

Kanda has defined dharma in Vaisesika as " that confers worldly joys

and leads to supreme happiness " . Hinduism is the religion that

suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and eternal

bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven.

 

 

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Jai Shree Krishna !