Dharma: Leading a Righteous Life
According to the notion of sanatanadharma, religion is not confined to a particular race or country. When couples get married, thus entering the second stage of life according to the system of varnashrama-dharma. This second ashram brings greater social and spiritual responsibilities.
Dharma is roughly translated as “religious duty.” There are two principle dharmas, namely sanatana-dharma and varnashrama-dharma. There are also general moral codes called sadharana-dharma.
Sanatana-dharma refers to the soul’s never-ending propensity to serve God. The concept of sanatana-dharma underpins the Hindus’ more inclusive approach towards life and “other religions.” It is the basis for issues of equality, and tends to relate to overtly spiritual matters (e.g. worship).
Varnashrama-dharma defines duties for the individual, classified according to four divisions of labour and four stages in life. These specific duties change, for example as one passes through the different ashrams. Varnashrama-dharma is the basis for accommodating diversity, and attributing different social and spiritual standards to various sections of society. Although varnashrama-dharma relates largely to social matters, it is not divorced from sanatana-dharma but is a means of recognising a common goal approached from different starting points. Some Hindu thinkers consider that the current, rigid caste system is a result of neglecting the principle of spiritual equality inherent in sanatana-dharma.
Sadharana-dharma, general morality, is often defined according to prohibitions (yama) and recommended practices (niyama). Hindu opinion varies as to the exact number of each.
There are four different types of dharma:
1) Universal, cosmic law (rita) regulates the forces of Nature, manifested by laws of physics. It controls everything from subatomic properties to motions of galaxies. The Hindu believes himself/herself to be part of Nature and seeks to bring the Self into harmony with the universal path.
2) Social dharma (varna dharma) consists of the duties, occupations and responsibilities that everyone fulfills in the family, nation, society and communities. An important aspect is religious and moral law.
3) Human law (ashrama dharma) is the natural expression and evolution of the body, mind, soul and feelings throughout the stages of life: righteousness, wealth, pleasure and liberation.
4) Self-dharma (sva-dharma) is perhaps the dharma that most Westerners are aware of. It is the sum of all accumulated "karmas" in one's life, molded by one's tendencies, personality, desires, and experiences. It represents one's path one takes.
Why is Hinduism called Sanatana Dharma?
Hinduism is called Sanatana Dharma because the religion is derived from the duties of God which are eternal. Since as human beings we share these duties upon earth, just as gods and other beings in other worlds, to let the divine order of things to continue and since the knowledge of such duties are enshrined in our religion in the form of the Vedas, Hinduism, which is derived from the Vedas, is known as Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Duty
What is Adharma and svadharma
Adharma or unlawful actions means actions that are performed with selfish intent to enjoy the fruit of such action. Adharma also means actions that are considered evil or unlawful by religious scriptures, or against the established code of conduct and religious traditions prescribed by the law books or religious scriptures. While selfish actions lead to rebirth, evil and sinful actions lead to one's downfall into lower hells. Svadharma is the duty that arises from your birth, profession, gender or caste affiliation. In a sense it also means your religion or faith.
Path of Dharma
Tradition has used the terms Vedas, Dharma, Truth, Supreme Being, etc, to indicate the moral excellence on which the entire universe rests. So, the enquiry into the notions of dharma and adharma has always existed.
Yudhishtira requests the sage Narada to explain the nuances of Vedic dharma that are not explicit to all and are well hidden like the root of the tree. For there could be none better than Narada, who is exceptionally devoted to God, to expound the subtleties of dharma. Then Narada begins to explain the essence of dharma that he had imbibed from the very source and fountainhead of dharma, the Lord. The Lord says in the Gita: “I am the knowledge that is to be gained from the study of all the Vedas; I am the creator of Vedanta and also the knower of the Vedas.” He is also beyond the universe and He is the essence of Vedanta.
So what Narada teaches is the direct and authentic version of the theory and practice of dharma as taught by Lord Narayana. Dharma includes the universal laws of nature that sustain the universe and its functions with precision as much as the practices and duties that take care of the individual and the society. It is central to human life and means not only religious ideas and worship of gods, but moral conduct and righteous behaviour, truthfulness, duty, etc. There is nothing higher than dharma for it is the path by which man strives for release from samsara.
Importance of Dharma
A. Just as there is no life without respiration, so also life without Dharma is not a worthy life, as it amounts to an existence like animals.
B. Dharma is not for developing intelligence; it is for developing character.
C. आगमानां हि सर्वेषाम् आचारः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते ।
आचारप्रभवो धर्मो धर्मादायुर्विवर्धते ।। – Mahabharat, Anushasanparva, Adhyaya 107, Shloka 147
Meaning : When compared with all knowledge, good conduct is considered to be superior; because Dharma is based on achars (Conduct). When man abides by achardharma, his life is prolonged.
D. धर्मादर्थः प्रभवति धर्मात्प्रभवते सुखम् ।
धर्मेण लभते सर्वं धर्मसारमिदं जगत् ।। – Valmikiramayan, Aranyakanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 26
Meaning : Dharma bestows wealth as well as happiness. In fact, everything can be acquired through Dharma. This entire universe sustains itself on the foundation of Dharma.
E. ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्विरौम्येष न च कश्चिच्छृणोति मे ।
धर्मादर्थश्च कामश्च स किमर्थं न सेव्यते ।। – Mahabharat, Swargarohanparva, Adhyaya 5, Shloka 46
Meaning : (Sage Vyas says) With my arms raised, I am lamenting, yet no one listens to me. (O human beings) Dharma accomplishes both, earning of wealth and fulfilling of desires. Then, why do you not abide by Dharma ?
F. सुखार्थाः सर्वभूतानां मताः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः ।
सुखं च न विना धर्मात् तस्माद्धर्मपरो भवेत् ।। – Vagbhat (Ashtangarhudaya, Sutrasthan, Adhyaya 2, Shloka 19)
Meaning : All the actions of living beings are for attaining happiness. (Even the motive in unrighteous conduct is attaining happiness). However, there is no happiness without Dharma; hence, abide by Dharma always.
G. धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः । – Mahabharat, Vanaparva, Adhyaya 314, Shloka 128
Meaning : Those who do not follow Dharma are destroyed, and those following it meticulously are protected by Dharma (that is, God).
H. स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् । – Shrimadbhagwadgita Adhyaya 2, Shloka 40
Meaning : Even if Dharma is followed to a small extent, it protects from larger danger.
I. धर्मेणैव जगत्सुरक्षितमिदं धर्मो धराधारकः ।
धर्माद्वस्तु न किञ्चिदस्ति भुवने धर्माय तस्मै नमः ।।
Meaning : The world remains safe if everyone abides by Dharma; that is why Dharma is said to be the main supporter of earth. There is nothing more ethical than Dharma in this world. Hence, I pay obeisance to that Dharma.
J. अधर्म एव मूलं सर्वरोगाणाम् ।
Meaning : Unrighteousness is the root cause of all sins.
K. धर्म एको मनुष्याणां सहायः पारलौकिकः । – Mahabharat, Anushasanparva, Adhyaya 111, Shloka 17
Meaning : Dharma alone is the companion of man in other worlds, that is, in life after death.
L. यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः । – Mahabharat, Udyogparva, Adhyaya 39, Shloka 7
Meaning : Wherever there is Dharma, there is victory.
No comments:
Post a Comment