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| What is Dharma? |
Dharma is so called, because it holds: Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the
root dhr to hold- and its etymological meaning is ‘that which holds’ this world, or the people of the world, or the
whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the eternal Divine Law of the Lord. The entire creation
is held together and sustained by the All-powerful Law of God. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition
of this Law and abidance by it.
That which brings well-being to man is Dharma. Dharma supports this world. The people are upheld by Dharma.
That which accrues preservation of beings is Dharma. Dharma leads to eternal happiness and immortality.
Dharma is the Truth. Therefore, whosoever speaks the truth is said to speak Dharma, and whosoever speaks
Dharma is said to speak the truth. One and the same thing becomes both. Dharma includes all external deeds,
as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of a man. Dharma comes
from the Divine and leads you to the Divine.
Definition of Dharma
There is no proper equivalent word in English for the Sanskrit term Dharma. It is very difficult to define Dharma.
Dharma is generally defined as ‘righteousness’ or ‘duty’ or ‘constitution’. Dharma is the principle of
righteousness. It is the principle of holiness. It is also the principle of unity. Bhishma says in his instructions to
Yudhishthira that whatever creates conflict is Adharma, and whatever puts an end to conflict and brings about
unity and harmony is Dharma. Anything that helps to unite all and develop pure divine love and universal
brotherhood, is Dharma. Anything that creates discord, split and disharmony and foments hatred, is Adharma.
Dharma is the cementer and sustainer of social life. The rules of Dharma have been laid down for regulating the
worldly affairs of men. Dharma brings as its consequence happiness, both in this world and in the next. Dharma
is the means of preserving one’s self. If you transgress it, it will kill you. If you protect it, it will protect you. It is
your soul companion after death. It is the sole refuge of humanity.
That which elevates one is Dharma. This is another definition. Dharma is that which leads you to the path of
perfection and glory. Dharma is that which helps you to realize your relationship with the Lord. Dharma is that
which makes you a devotee. Dharma is the ascending stairway unto God. Self-realization is the highest Dharma
and God is the centre of Dharma.
Dharma means Achara or the regulation of daily life. Achara is the supreme Dharma. It is the basis of Tapas or
austerity. It leads to wealth, beauty, longevity and continuity of lineage. Evil conduct and immorality will lead to ill-
fame, sorrow, disease and premature death. Dharma has its root in morality and the controller of Dharma is God
Himself.
Vedas-The Sole and Ultimate Authority
The four Vedas, the Smriti texts, the behavior of those who have entered into their spirit (the spirit of the Vedas)
and act according to their injunctions, the conduct of holy men and satisfaction of one’s own self- these are the
bases of Dharma.
In the matter of Dharma, the Vedas are the ultimate authority. You cannot know the truth about Dharma through
any source of knowledge other than the Vedas. Speculation cannot be the authority in the matter of Dharma.
Among the scriptures of the world, the Vedas are the oldest. This is supported by all leading scholars and
antiquarians of the entire civilized world. They all declare with one voice, that of all books, so far written in any
human language, the Rig-Veda Samhita is undoubtedly the oldest. No antiquarian has been able to fix the date
when the Rig-Veda Samhita was composed or came to light.
The Changing Dharma
Just as a doctor prescribes different medicines for different people according to their constitution and the nature
of their disease, so also Vaisnavism prescribes different duties for different people. Rules for women are different
from the rules for men. The rules for different Varnas (castes) and Ashramas (the four stages of life) vary. But,
non-violence, truth, non-stealing, cleanliness and control of the senses, are the duties common to all men.
Dharma depends upon time, circumstances, age, degree of evolution and the community to which one belongs.
The Dharma of this century is different from that of the tenth century.
What is Dharma in one set of circumstances becomes Adharma in another set of circumstances. That is the
reason why it is said that the secret of Dharma is extremely profound and subtle. Lord Krishna says in the Gita:
"One should therefore understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulations of the scriptures.
Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated." (Bhagavad-Gita, Ch.
16- 24).
Dharma in many religions and philosophies
All other religions also lay stress on Dharma. Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and Islam
are all remarkably alive to its value. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Kant, Swedenborg and Spinoza are all striking
examples in the interesting history of Western philosophy for the high pedestal on which they have placed
morality, duty and righteousness, and adored them all as the only means to the attainment of the goal of life.
Each religion lays greater stress on certain aspects of Dharma.
Benefits of the Practice of Dharma
Of the four grand objects of human aspirations (Purusharthas), Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, Dharma is
given the foremost rank in the scriptures. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to immortality, infinite bliss,
supreme peace and highest knowledge. Dharma alone is the primary Purushartha. Dharma is the first and
foremost Purushartha. Through the practice of Dharma alone can you ever hope to achieve the crowning glory of
all human endeavors.
Two Catogories of Dharma
Samanya or the general, universal Dharma
Visesha or the specific, personal Dharma.
Samanya or general Dharmas:
1.contentment, 2.forgiveness, 3.self-restraint, 4.non-stealing, 5.purity, 6.control of senses, 7.discrimination
between right and wrong, as also between the real and the unreal, 8. spiritual knowledge, 9.truthfulness and 10.
absence of anger.
Visesha or specific Dharmas:
Dharma assumes various kinds: Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Law), Samanya Dharma (general duty), Visesha
Dharma (special duty), Varnashrama Dharma (duties of caste and Order), Svadharma (one’s own duty), Yuga
Dharma (duty of the age or period in history), Kula Dharma ((duty of family), Manava Dharma (duty of man),
Purusha Dharma (duty of male), Stri Dharma (duty of female), Raja Dharma (duty of king), Praja Dharma (duty of
subjects), Pravritti Dharma (duty in worldly life) and Nivritti Dharma (duty in spiritual life).
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root dhr to hold- and its etymological meaning is ‘that which holds’ this world, or the people of the world, or the
whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the eternal Divine Law of the Lord. The entire creation
is held together and sustained by the All-powerful Law of God. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition
of this Law and abidance by it.
That which brings well-being to man is Dharma. Dharma supports this world. The people are upheld by Dharma.
That which accrues preservation of beings is Dharma. Dharma leads to eternal happiness and immortality.
Dharma is the Truth. Therefore, whosoever speaks the truth is said to speak Dharma, and whosoever speaks
Dharma is said to speak the truth. One and the same thing becomes both. Dharma includes all external deeds,
as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of a man. Dharma comes
from the Divine and leads you to the Divine.
Definition of Dharma
There is no proper equivalent word in English for the Sanskrit term Dharma. It is very difficult to define Dharma.
Dharma is generally defined as ‘righteousness’ or ‘duty’ or ‘constitution’. Dharma is the principle of
righteousness. It is the principle of holiness. It is also the principle of unity. Bhishma says in his instructions to
Yudhishthira that whatever creates conflict is Adharma, and whatever puts an end to conflict and brings about
unity and harmony is Dharma. Anything that helps to unite all and develop pure divine love and universal
brotherhood, is Dharma. Anything that creates discord, split and disharmony and foments hatred, is Adharma.
Dharma is the cementer and sustainer of social life. The rules of Dharma have been laid down for regulating the
worldly affairs of men. Dharma brings as its consequence happiness, both in this world and in the next. Dharma
is the means of preserving one’s self. If you transgress it, it will kill you. If you protect it, it will protect you. It is
your soul companion after death. It is the sole refuge of humanity.
That which elevates one is Dharma. This is another definition. Dharma is that which leads you to the path of
perfection and glory. Dharma is that which helps you to realize your relationship with the Lord. Dharma is that
which makes you a devotee. Dharma is the ascending stairway unto God. Self-realization is the highest Dharma
and God is the centre of Dharma.
Dharma means Achara or the regulation of daily life. Achara is the supreme Dharma. It is the basis of Tapas or
austerity. It leads to wealth, beauty, longevity and continuity of lineage. Evil conduct and immorality will lead to ill-
fame, sorrow, disease and premature death. Dharma has its root in morality and the controller of Dharma is God
Himself.
Vedas-The Sole and Ultimate Authority
The four Vedas, the Smriti texts, the behavior of those who have entered into their spirit (the spirit of the Vedas)
and act according to their injunctions, the conduct of holy men and satisfaction of one’s own self- these are the
bases of Dharma.
In the matter of Dharma, the Vedas are the ultimate authority. You cannot know the truth about Dharma through
any source of knowledge other than the Vedas. Speculation cannot be the authority in the matter of Dharma.
Among the scriptures of the world, the Vedas are the oldest. This is supported by all leading scholars and
antiquarians of the entire civilized world. They all declare with one voice, that of all books, so far written in any
human language, the Rig-Veda Samhita is undoubtedly the oldest. No antiquarian has been able to fix the date
when the Rig-Veda Samhita was composed or came to light.
The Changing Dharma
Just as a doctor prescribes different medicines for different people according to their constitution and the nature
of their disease, so also Vaisnavism prescribes different duties for different people. Rules for women are different
from the rules for men. The rules for different Varnas (castes) and Ashramas (the four stages of life) vary. But,
non-violence, truth, non-stealing, cleanliness and control of the senses, are the duties common to all men.
Dharma depends upon time, circumstances, age, degree of evolution and the community to which one belongs.
The Dharma of this century is different from that of the tenth century.
What is Dharma in one set of circumstances becomes Adharma in another set of circumstances. That is the
reason why it is said that the secret of Dharma is extremely profound and subtle. Lord Krishna says in the Gita:
"One should therefore understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulations of the scriptures.
Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated." (Bhagavad-Gita, Ch.
16- 24).
Dharma in many religions and philosophies
All other religions also lay stress on Dharma. Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and Islam
are all remarkably alive to its value. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Kant, Swedenborg and Spinoza are all striking
examples in the interesting history of Western philosophy for the high pedestal on which they have placed
morality, duty and righteousness, and adored them all as the only means to the attainment of the goal of life.
Each religion lays greater stress on certain aspects of Dharma.
Benefits of the Practice of Dharma
Of the four grand objects of human aspirations (Purusharthas), Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, Dharma is
given the foremost rank in the scriptures. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to immortality, infinite bliss,
supreme peace and highest knowledge. Dharma alone is the primary Purushartha. Dharma is the first and
foremost Purushartha. Through the practice of Dharma alone can you ever hope to achieve the crowning glory of
all human endeavors.
Two Catogories of Dharma
Samanya or the general, universal Dharma
Visesha or the specific, personal Dharma.
Samanya or general Dharmas:
1.contentment, 2.forgiveness, 3.self-restraint, 4.non-stealing, 5.purity, 6.control of senses, 7.discrimination
between right and wrong, as also between the real and the unreal, 8. spiritual knowledge, 9.truthfulness and 10.
absence of anger.
Visesha or specific Dharmas:
Dharma assumes various kinds: Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Law), Samanya Dharma (general duty), Visesha
Dharma (special duty), Varnashrama Dharma (duties of caste and Order), Svadharma (one’s own duty), Yuga
Dharma (duty of the age or period in history), Kula Dharma ((duty of family), Manava Dharma (duty of man),
Purusha Dharma (duty of male), Stri Dharma (duty of female), Raja Dharma (duty of king), Praja Dharma (duty of
subjects), Pravritti Dharma (duty in worldly life) and Nivritti Dharma (duty in spiritual life).
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