The Concept of Dharma
Shri H. Sequeira
The word Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root "dhr" - to hold. Thus, Dharma means that which holds, which upholds, which sustains, which nurtures, which helps to maintain harmony and the Rule of Law. At the personal level, Dharma means doing one's duty, have a direction in life and live in harmony.
The concept of Dharma can be found in most of the Indian philosophies, religions, and also in Yoga. It is an ancient concept and thus we have many traditional, historic, religious and philosophic derivatives of this word Dharma. It is also commonly used as when a beggar says "Dharma Karo".
In the Mahabharata, the author Vyasa, sums up his whole philosophy under this concept and urges his readers to do their duty and states that nature will uphold the one who does his duty. The Bhagavadgita, which contains the essence of the Mahabharata, starts with the word "Dharmaksetre" meaning on the battleground of the righteous and the last word of the Gita is also a synonym of Dharma. Thus the Yoga of disinterested action (Karma), of devotion (Bhakti) and higher knowledge (Jñāna) come within the ambit of Dharma.
The teachings of Gautama the Buddha are also summed up in the "Dhammapada", Dhamma (a Pali word) stands for Dharma, and the word "Pada" stands for the way, the route, the means... means of reaching perfection. Thus practices of mindfulness, of meditation, of ethical life, and a life of righteousness are indicated as means of following Dharma.
In the Sankhya Karika it is stated that when a person has a stable and Sattvika mind, he is capable of doing his Dharma, his duty. In the Bhāsya on the Yoga Sutra (1/2) the commentator mentions that Dharma is the basis of energy, faith, commitment, determination and devotion and Dharma can lead one to Jñana, to Aiswarya (to will power) and to detachment (Vairagya).
Thus it can be seen that this Dharma concept is at the root of all spiritual endeavour and a householder can evolve spiritually by following his Dharma, that is doing his duty.
The Concept of Dharma
Shri H. Sequeira
The word Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root "dhr" - to hold. Thus, Dharma means that which holds, which upholds, which sustains, which nurtures, which helps to maintain harmony and the Rule of Law. At the personal level, Dharma means doing one's duty, have a direction in life and live in harmony.
The concept of Dharma can be found in most of the Indian philosophies, religions, and also in Yoga. It is an ancient concept and thus we have many traditional, historic, religious and philosophic derivatives of this word Dharma. It is also commonly used as when a beggar says "Dharma Karo".
In the Mahabharata, the author Vyasa, sums up his whole philosophy under this concept and urges his readers to do their duty and states that nature will uphold the one who does his duty. The Bhagavadgita, which contains the essence of the Mahabharata, starts with the word "Dharmaksetre" meaning on the battleground of the righteous and the last word of the Gita is also a synonym of Dharma. Thus the Yoga of disinterested action (Karma), of devotion (Bhakti) and higher knowledge (Jñāna) come within the ambit of Dharma.
The teachings of Gautama the Buddha are also summed up in the "Dhammapada", Dhamma (a Pali word) stands for Dharma, and the word "Pada" stands for the way, the route, the means... means of reaching perfection. Thus practices of mindfulness, of meditation, of ethical life, and a life of righteousness are indicated as means of following Dharma.
In the Sankhya Karika it is stated that when a person has a stable and Sattvika mind, he is capable of doing his Dharma, his duty. In the Bhāsya on the Yoga Sutra (1/2) the commentator mentions that Dharma is the basis of energy, faith, commitment, determination and devotion and Dharma can lead one to Jñana, to Aiswarya (to will power) and to detachment (Vairagya).
Thus it can be seen that this Dharma concept is at the root of all spiritual endeavour and a householder can evolve spiritually by following his Dharma, that is doing his duty.