CHAPTER 3
HINDU DHARMA
Silent adorations to the Lord, the Embodiment of Dharma, the Controller and Protector of
Dharma and the Fountain-head of Dharma.
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 secures preservation of beings is Dharma. Dharma leads to
eternal happiness and immortality.
That which is Dharma is verily 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 man. Dharma comes from the Divine and leads you to the Divine.
DEFINITION OF DHARMA
No language is perfect. 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.’ 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 sole
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 have direct communion
with the Lord. Dharma is that which makes you divine. Dharma is the ascending stairway unto God.
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HINDU DHARMA
Self-realisation is the highest Dharma. Dharma is the heart of Hindu ethics. 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.
Maharshi Jaimini defines Dharma as that which is enjoined by the Vedas and is not
ultimately productive of suffering.
Rishi Kanada, founder of the Vaiseshika system of philosophy, has given the best definition
of Dharma, in his Vaiseshika Sutras: “Yato-bhyudayanihsreyasa-siddhih sa dharmah.” “That
which leads to the attainment of Abhyudaya (prosperity in this world) and Nihsreyasa (total
cessation of pain and attainment of eternal bliss hereafter) is Dharma.”
THE SOLE AUTHORITY OF THE VEDAS
The four Vedas, the Smriti texts, the behaviour of those who have entered into their spirit
and act according to their injunctions, the conduct of holy men and satisfaction of one’s own
self—these are the bases of Dharma, according to Manu.
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. Reason 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 civilised 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 Hinduism prescribes different duties for
different people. Rules for women are different from the rules for men. The rules for different
Varnas and Asramas 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.
There are conditions under which Dharma may change its usual course. Apad-Dharma is
such a deviation from the usual practice. This is allowed only in times of extreme distress or
calamity.
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ALL ABOUT HINDUISM
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: “Let the scriptures be the authority in determining what ought
to be done and what ought not to be done” (Ch. XVI, 24). The truth of Dharma lies hidden. Srutis
and Smritis are many. The way of Dharma open to all is that which a great realised soul has
traversed.
DHARMA IN OTHER RELIGIONS
All other religions also lay stress on Dharma. Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism,
Zoroastrianism, 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 aspiration—Purusharthas—viz., 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 endeavours, viz.,
Moksha which is the best and the highest of all desirable things.
Practice of Dharma leads to the perfect realisation of essential unity or the final end, the
highest good, namely, Moksha. The practitioner experiences peace, joy, strength and tranquillity
within himself. His life becomes thoroughly disciplined. His powers and capacities are exceedingly
intensified. He realises that there is one underlying homogeneous essence, a living truth, behind
these names and forms. He is transmuted into divinity. His whole nature gets transformed. He
becomes one with the Eternal. He beholds Brahman above, Brahman below, Brahman to the right,
Brahman to the left, Brahman in front, Brahman at the back, Brahman within, Brahman without and
Brahman pervading the whole world.
KINDS OF DHARMA
Dharma can be classified under two heads: (i) Samanya or the general, universal Dharma
and (ii) Visesha or the specific, personal Dharma. Contentment, forgiveness, self-restraint,
non-stealing, purity, control of senses, discrimination between right and wrong, between the real
and the unreal, spiritual knowledge, truthfulness and absence of anger come under the general or
universal Dharma. The rules of the castes and orders of life are specific Dharmas. These are the
tenfold characteristics of Dharma according to Manu.
Dharma assumes various kinds: Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Law), Samanya Dharma
(general duty), Visesha Dharma (special duty), Varnasrama Dharma (duties of Caste and Order),
Svadharma (one’s own duty), Yuga Dharma (duty of the Age), Kula Dharma (duty of family),
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HINDU DHARMA
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).