Dharma is a term that is frequently used in Indian spiritual thought. Though it is a term with wide and far reaching ramifications, it essentially signifies a sense of duty, a sense of obligation or a sense of responsibility. Every man should abide by the Law of Dharma, undertake to carry out the specific duties enjoined upon him and refrain from doing prohibited acts.
For this, he should know what constitutes Dharma and what Adharma means. What is good for him and what is to be abjured as evil and vice are laid down in scriptural texts. One of man’s essential duties is to respect his aged parents and attend to their comforts instead of neglecting them, considering them a burdens… For this, certain rites and austerities ought to be conducted by him, daily and on specified occasions, certain deeds are to be practiced, like helping a brilliant but poor student. All his acts should be considered a dedication to God.
Dharma basically means 'to nourish’, ‘to uphold’ and signifies whatever supports the universal order and also the individual life in society. It is the basic value in life as well as in transactions - social, religious, secular and vocational. It is the first of the two normal human purposes, the other two being the acquisition of wealth and enjoyment of pleasures.
Dharma is characterised by certain common human values like truth, generosity, compassion, sympathy, self-restraint, forgiveness, good will, friendliness, absence of envy and rectitude in conduct. The scriptures say ‘attend to this, the essence of dharma, do not do to others what you would not do to yourself. Put yourself in the position of others and then act’. In other words, it is the inner light of clear conscience, mindful of the welfare of all and reducing the ego and selfishness in institutional behaviour.
God alone is the judge of all our acts. He alone can extend proper rewards or punishments for our deeds. To accept His existence and of the individual soul, we need full belief in scriptures. The Vedas, which exist from time immemorial, disclose the presence of the Almighty, the soul and of virtue. Righteous conduct alone can keep society disciplined.
If it is argued that righteousness depends on strength, the mightier man can wipe out the less mighty. Hence mankind has to stand by a principle other than mere physical strength, to govern the world and Dharma will sustain it. This follows that we have to submit ourselves to the Lord and worship Him to obtain release from bondage, through His grace, which is the last word in scriptures.
Dharma is closely linked with the idea of original human indebtedness or inescapable obligation. Every human being is born with three debts. The first is towards his ancestors, the second is towards the sages and the third is what he owes to the Gods. By continuing the family line by having his own children, he discharges his debts towards his ancestors; by studying, understanding the cultural context and milieu into which he is born, he discharges his debt towards the sages, as the sages have been responsible for the unbroken cultural heritage of the land.
All of us perform actions with a purpose. Each one may be working to achieve a different goal, but not without a purpose, because actions then become worthless. What we are all seeking ultimately is happiness and peace in our lives. Though we all work hard for it, we are unable to get it. By careful introspection we understand that we act in the world only for the fulfillment of our desires. Our lives are dictated by our wants, likes and dislikes, for we do not know the way of right living, ie Dharma.
By respecting and worshipping the elemental and environmental forces like the air, the rivers, the mountains, plants and animals, he discharges his debts to the Gods.
This concept of indebtedness is the very source of Dharma, which shifts the focus from desire gratification to duty fulfillment, thus making human life meaningful and worthwhile. The two great Epics of India, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata both emphasise the role of Dharma in individual life as well as in collective existence.
If the Ramayana illustrates the need to subordinate wealth and enjoyment to Dharma, thus making it the mirror of Indian culture, the Mahabharata expounds on the challenges that Dharma faces from greed and wealth in personal and public life and how real Dharma is sabotaged by surrogates and counterfeits. This is Dharma, the bedrock of human existence.
This article is an ‘Ashirvachana’ given by His Holiness Late Sri Balagangadaranatha Mahaswamiji, 71st Pontiff of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamstana Math
