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== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

धर्मः ॥ Dharma is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other language in this world as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rishis since times immemorial. It would be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings. The extensive vedic literature has shown the irrevocable link between Dharma and Vedas, a few instances are presented herewith.

धर्मः ॥ Dharma is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other language in this world as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rishis since times immemorial. It would be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings. The extensive vedic literature has shown the irrevocable link between Dharma and Vedas, a few instances are presented here.

== Smritis ==

== Smritis ==

=== Atri Smriti ===

=== Atri Smriti ===

Atri Smriti attributes the highest position of a Guru (teacher) to Vedas<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child). </blockquote>

Atri Smriti attributes the highest position of a Guru (teacher) to Vedas<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>नास्ति वेदात् परं शास्त्रं, नास्ति मातु:समो गुरु: || (Atri. Smri. 5.148)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: There is no other shastra greater than Vedas, just as there is no greater Guru than the mother (to the child). </blockquote>

== Upanishads ==

== Upanishads ==

=== Mundaka Upanishad ===

=== Mundaka Upanishad ===

The Upanishad texts base their spiritual philosophy on Vedas and describe the origin of vedas to be from the Parabrahman or Infinite Consciousness.<blockquote>तस्मादृच: साम यजूंषि दीक्षा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.6)<ref>The Works of Sri Sankaracharya (1910) [https://archive.org/stream/CompleteWorksOfSriSankaracharyaIn20Volumes1910Edition/WorksOfSriSankaracharya05-MundakaMandukyaAitareyaUpanishads1#page/n57/mode/2up ''The Upanishad Bhashya - Munda, Mandukya, & Aitereya. Vol 5''] Srirangam: Sri Vani Vilas Press</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: From Him (the Parabrahma) arise the the mantras of Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas.</blockquote>

The Upanishad texts base their spiritual philosophy on Vedas and describe the origin of vedas to be from the Parabrahman or Infinite Consciousness.<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>तस्मादृच: साम यजूंषि दीक्षा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.6)<ref>The Works of Sri Sankaracharya (1910) [https://archive.org/stream/CompleteWorksOfSriSankaracharyaIn20Volumes1910Edition/WorksOfSriSankaracharya05-MundakaMandukyaAitareyaUpanishads1#page/n57/mode/2up ''The Upanishad Bhashya - Munda, Mandukya, & Aitereya. Vol 5''] Srirangam: Sri Vani Vilas Press</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: From Him (the Parabrahma) arise the the mantras of Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas.</blockquote>

=== Brihdaranyaka Upanishad ===

=== Brihdaranyaka Upanishad ===

<blockquote>....एतस्य वा महतो भूतस्य नि:श्वसितमेतद् यद् ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेद: सामवेदोऽथर्वाङ्गिरस .... || ([https://archive.org/stream/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda#page/n805/mode/2up Brih. Upan. 4.5.11])</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning:  From the breath (exhalation) of this Supreme Being have arisen the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvanaveda.</blockquote>

<blockquote>....एतस्य वा महतो भूतस्य नि:श्वसितमेतद् यद् ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेद: सामवेदोऽथर्वाङ्गिरस .... || (Brih. Upan. 4.5.11)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://archive.org/stream/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda#page/n805/mode/2up Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning:  From the breath (exhalation) of this Supreme Being have arisen the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvanaveda.</blockquote>

== Mahabharata ==

== Mahabharata ==