Dharma and Sampradaaya -4.

4.

For the harmonious life of the individual and society certain laws are made which are given out as do’d and dont’s. The knowledge of these laws, as the do’s and dont’s is also dharma. It is called Vidhi-nishedhatmak dharma.

Depending on the age, place, position, sex etc of the person, he has certain duties toperform. Non-performance of the same would cause harm to himself and others. For eg. the King’s duty is to rule with justice, protect his subjects etc. The students duty is to study, teh teachers’s to teach whole heartedly etc. The knowledge of these duties is also dharma (Vishesha dharma).

Furthermore, for gaining spiritual unfoldment, special actions are prescribed called sadhanas or upaasanaa. They are also dharma. For gaining special worldly or divine powere (siddhis), certain actions are indicated. They too are dharma. Rites and rituals too are dharma.

Hence we see the wide range of meaning encompassed by the word Dharma. The scriptures that talk of one or more aspects of dharma are called Dharma Shastras. The Vedas are the oldest dharma shastras and give knowledge of the entire dharma. The smritis ( Manu Smriti, (Geeta), Itihaas (Mahabharat, Ramamyana), Puranas (Bhagwat etc) also talk about the entire dharma.

Chinmaya Mission
 To be continued  ...