Unbound-2

 

Dharma: A profound, multifaceted concept

Dharma is a Sanskrit term that encompasses a wide range of meanings, including:

1. Righteousness: Dharma refers to living a life that is in accordance with the natural order of the universe, and adhering to the principles of morality, ethics, and justice.
2. Duty: Dharma also refers to the performance of one's duties and responsibilities, whether they be personal, social, or professional.
3. Natural Law: Dharma is often described as the natural law that governs the universe, and is considered to be the underlying principle that maintains order and harmony in the world.
4. Spiritual Path: In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, dharma is also used to describe the spiritual path or journey that an individual undertakes to achieve liberation or enlightenment.

The concept of dharma is often described as having four key components:

1. Svadharma: One's personal duty or responsibility, based on their individual characteristics, skills, and circumstances.

2. Varnadharma: The duties and responsibilities associated with one's social class or profession.

3. Ashramadharma: The duties and responsibilities associated with one's stage of life, such as student, householder, or recluse.

4. Sanatana Dharma: The universal principles of dharma that are applicable to all individuals, regardless of their personal characteristics, social class, or stage of life.

In essence, dharma is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses the ideals of righteousness, duty, natural law, and spiritual growth.

Virtues: It is advised to cultivate certain virtues in all Indian Philosophies including Hinduism (Advaita, Vishista advaita, and Dvaita), Jainism, Sikhism, Tantra, and so on. Most of the virtues overlap and therefore common to all philosophies. These virtues provide a holistic approach to live a satisfying life free from conflicts and suffering. AHIMSA and Satya are on top of the list in the order.

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Cultivating compassion, kindness, and harmlessness towards all living beings.

2. Satya (Truthfulness): Embracing honesty, authenticity, and transparency in thought, word, and deed. Satya is interpreted to mean non-lying.

3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Respecting others' property, energy, and time, and avoiding exploitation.

4. Brahmacharya (Self-control): Cultivating moderation, balance, and self-awareness in all aspects of life. This doesn't mean Celibacy. Having sex with one's spouse is considered a duty whereas sex outside marriage is considered a sin.

5. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Embracing detachment, letting go of attachments, and avoiding excessive accumulation.

Why is Ahimsa considered the highest virtue in Indian Philosophies?: Let us understand the nuanced interpretation of AHIMSA (body, speech and mind); even Himsa in speech and thoughts is prohibited. Ahimsa is generally understood as non-violence; but is it really so? What will you do if you are attacked by some one or if there is a war, how about collective consciousness react in general. Does AHIMSA prevent a war? Before a war, parties involved in a war resort to the following:

Sama - Sandhaana: the art of negotiation.

Dana - Exchange something for peace.

Bheda: Create split in enemy ranks.

Danda: Fight the war, if the above options fail.

Look at how Krishna and Pandavas exhaust Sama, Dana and Bedha, to the extent of just five villages in lieu of the rightful kingdom - for the sake of peace.

So also, Rama sends Angada as peacemaker to Ravana, telling him to handover Sita honourably in order to prevent the imminent war.

Ahimsa is not just non-violence, all Indian Philosophies keep this at the topic of list of virtues.

AHIMSA Paramo Dharma appears several times in the Epic Mahabharata.

Moksha (Kaivalya - Freedom, Liberation): What does Moksha mean? In Patanjali's Yoga it is called Kaivalya, meaning freedom. In Vedanta it is liberation from Samsara or liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. In Buddhism and Jainism it is the same idea.

What is Patanjali talking about? What does freedom mean? Does it mean freedom from attachments or freeing up the mind?

It is freeing up the mind from default settings of biases. My understanding is this. Samsara is just a concept for which evidence is absent. In Bhagavadgita this is an adhyaropa, and it is said that Atman leaves the dead body behind and joins Brahman. Brahman's concept is that it provides consciousness to sentient beings. For a living being like humans, reaching a thoughtless state during meditation actually frees up the mind from all pre-existing biases, and the conditioned mind becomes free of all the conditions and therefore perceptions will be free from all conditions, there will be a shift in understanding the world and societies as they really are; the mind becomes unbound without limits. This is true freedom. Try it, maybe in two to four years this will happen.​

Dharma a​nd K​arma

Hospitality offered to pilgrims in India is remarkable. Let me invite your attention towards the details explained vide link https://narmadayatra.com/route-guide/ relating to the trek around the longest river in India. In brief, it's thus:

If one opts for Narmada river Parikrama (3700km Trek from Amarkantak to Bharuch and back), and completes it, he will be in wonders at what he's experienced out of it. Throughout the Parikrama, at every four to five kms on the way, he found free resting places with snacks, tea, lunch and dinner served with great affection. Nobody goes hungry or thirsty in this Trek lasting four to five months.

One can see in addition to sadhus, educated people giving up their well paid jobs preparing and serving, nearby villagers participating, with great affection. Some traders from nearby towns keep the kitchens busy by supplying rations. A couple of cows or more providing required milk, gardens providing required vegetables, villagers providing milk and vegetables to the kitchens.

Thousands participate in the trek. A sense of satisfaction and contentment could be seen in all those participating, in the care they take to serve food and drink, besides the acumen they display in providing shelter to the yatrarthis. What is this phenomenon? It is believed that such acts will refine their Dharma, Karma and ultimately lead to Moksha.

Dharma is the right way of life in the interest of society, based on Ahimsa, Satya and Service to others, keeping the environment healthy, so that the periodicity of seasons are maintained, that keeps this phenomenon alive. It binds strangers together, singing bhajans and silently chanting mantras and japas, believing that Mother Narmada will atone their papa karmas leading to Moksha.Narmada Parikrama phenomenon provides us the clarity in all respects towards Dharma, Karma and Shraddha.