The word "Dharma" doesn't mean Religion.

Very often by default we tend to interpret Dharma from the viewpoint of religion that we profess.

 Dharma is far from it. If we make an attempt to understand Dharma we are led to the conclusion that it epitomises the righteous code of conduct which remains the same across all religions.

It is useful to make a distinction between Dharma and its English translation Religion.       

                   Whereas Dharma seeks to emphasise the substantive aspect of one’s personality,religion is interested in focussing the formal part of it by delineating the methods of observing the precepts through various forms of worships.

Dharma has nothing to do with worships and its paraphernalia. In fact these are the core concerns of religion.

Religious scriptures say that which is agreeable to our conscience is Dharma.

 In A.S Narayana Deekshtulu Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 1986 it has been explained as follows:

                    Word ‘Dharma’ denotes, upholding, supporting, nourishing that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintaining social order and general well being and progress of mankind; whatever conduces to fulfilment of these objects is Dharma. 

                  Hence the object of Dharma is to build social harmony by way of inculcation of qualities of goodness in human beings individually and collectively. 

                  These qualities of goodness comprise contentment, forgiveness, forbearance, non-avarice, non-attachment to ultra mundane matters, spiritual knowledge, truthfulness, purity, control over one's senses and absence of anger referred in Manusmriti as ten attributes of Dharma.

          धृतिः क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौच मिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।

          धी र्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्म लक्षणम् ॥

                                       (मनुस्मृति ६/९२)

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Any entity has invariably two attributes. That which is related to its essence is called substance and the ones relating to its forms and externalities are subsidiary. Dharma is substantial part of one’s life responsible for shaping the destiny of the individual by observing the rules of Dharma. Unfortunately, instead of observing the rules of Dharma we start observing the rules of religions which are externalities of Dharma resulting in communal tensions born out of ignorance.

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When we act out of ignorance and anger our mind gets instigated. An instigated mind gives rise to nefarious Mental Actions.

These MENTAL ACTIONS consist of-

                                                      1.Coveting property of others(लोभाकर्षण)

                                                      2.Distorted thinking about others(विकृत चिंतन)

                                                      3.cherishing evil doctrines(दु:सिद्धांतानुकरण)

The nefarious mental actions result in "EVIL VERBAL ACTIONS ".

 

The evil verbal actions are ----------

                       A. speaking untruth(असत्य भाषण)

                                                                                                                                 

                       B. Using abusive language(अभद्र भाषण                                                                    

                     C.Gossiping about others negatively(मनोरंजन हेतु नकारात्मक अन्यविषयक चर्चा)

                      D. Speaking ill of others(निंदा उद्योग)                                                                                                                                       

                                                                   

                               And /Or

                                                                    

   WICKED BODILY ACTIONS : These are-

                                 (a) Taking that which has not been given voluntarily(वस्तु/वित्त हरण)

                                 (b) causing bodily injury to living beings(शारीरिक क्षतिकरण) 

                                (c) illicit relationship with anyone(अवैध सम्बन्ध स्थापन)                                                              

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These evil bodily and verbal actions can be controlled by disciplining the mind which is the creator of everything. 

This is possible through knowledge and practice of austerity and distancing from pomp and show by way of purity of thought,word and deeds, performance of meritorious acts and meditation that train our organs of thought and actions to deliver what is positive and constructive. 

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Disciplining mind is easier said than done. It is nevertheless possible through conscious efforts to purify our thought, word and deeds what has been called in our scriptures as Trikaran Shuddhi(त्रिकारण शुद्धि). 

This yogic practice helps building control over one’s mind, speech and body respectively defined as Manodanda(मनोदण्ड), Wakdand(वाक्दण्ड) & Kayadanda(कायदण्ड )in our religious texts.

Practicing Dharma,without reference to any particular religion, is aligning our persona to these requirements upon which the rise and fall of individuals rest.

But unfortunately we have given ourselves to seek physical pleasures without any heed to its possible consequences. The resultant position is that we find ourselves in the quagmire of corruption, adultery, religious bigotry culminating in riots and fracas occurring every now and then.

 Educated people, leaders -religious and political, instead of setting examples in the society are indulged in dark deeds creating imbalance in the system. We enjoy being non-accommodative. We feel immensely satisfied in being argumentative to show our intellect which is of little consequence in absence of our commitment to practise it.

         Otherwise we would not have encountered a bribe oriented and value starved system of governance. 

  Eventually, the peace and purpose of life have been lost amidst the tornado of consumerism which views the entire world as a market and tests every human activity to see whether it is marketable (profitable) or not. If not, throw it away. 

The zeitgeist of this "THROW AWAY ATTITUDE" has completely overpowered the "ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE"

This sense of ingratitude has made the fabric of family and society tattered.

 Rather than prompting their followers to perform rites and other hollow practices why do not religions tend to correct these aberrations?

 It cannot; because it makes us self-righteous whereas Dharma seeks to make us righteous. 

                        (आलेख मनुस्मृत्याधारित)

                                                 R.R.Prabhakar.

                                                   03.09.2023.