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It is the eternal divine law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the all-powerful law of the divine. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition of this law and abidance by it. And it is this law that brings well-being to man. It includes all external deeds, as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of man thereby securing preservation of beings. Therefore, it is said that people are upheld by Dharma. And that Dharma leads one to eternal happiness and immortality.<ref name=":4">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

It is the eternal divine law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the all-powerful law of the divine. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition of this law and abidance by it. And it is this law that brings well-being to man. It includes all external deeds, as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of man thereby securing preservation of beings. Therefore, it is said that people are upheld by Dharma. And that Dharma leads one to eternal happiness and immortality.<ref name=":4">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

==Dharma is not Religion==

==Dharma is not Religion==

It is paradoxical that the word 'dharma' is being translated as religion and vice-versa. The word religion may at most be translated as ’Mata’ (मतम्) or 'Sampradaya' or 'Pantha'. In view of the translation of the word religion as Dharma, many translate the word Secularism as 'Dharma Nirapekshata'. Dr. L.M. Singhvi says, <blockquote>''"We have been accustomed to use, though erroneously, the expression 'Dharma Nirapekshata', so far as the State and its institutions are concerned, as an equivalent of secularism in contemporary Bharata's constitutional vocabulary and political parlance. A more accurate equivalent Hindi translation of "secularism" would be "Sampradaya Nirapekshata" because "Dharma" in Bharata's tradition also stands for Law and Morality and no State can be devoid of Law and Morality."''</blockquote>This misinterpretation of Dharma as religion is the cause of it being seen a source of conflict and something injurious to the feeling of fraternity among the citizens. This is wholly erroneous. For, Dharma, as it will be seen further, indicates adherence to qualities of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfullness), Asteya (not acquiring illegitimate wealth), Shoucha (cleanliness of mind and body i.e., purity of thought, word and deed) and Indriyanigraha (control of senses). If secularism is translated as meaning 'Dharma Nirapekshata', it means a state where all the above rules of dharma have no place. Certainly our Constitution is not intended to establish a State of Adharma. Also, a literal translation of 'Dharma Nirapekshata' in English is 'bereft of dharma' or a lawless State i.e., State without Morals. Further, the famous saying "यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः । ''yato dharmastato jayaḥ।''" which means ’where there is dharma, there is victory”, would become "''yato religion tato jayaḥ''" which means 'victory is always to religion' and not to dharma. Such are the consequences of erroneous translation of dharma as religion.<ref name=":3" />

It is paradoxical that the word 'dharma' is being translated as religion and vice-versa. The word religion may at most be translated as ’Mata’ (मतम्) or 'Sampradaya' or 'Pantha'. In view of the translation of the word religion as Dharma, many translate the word Secularism as 'Dharma Nirapekshata'. Dr. L.M. Singhvi says, <blockquote>''"We have been accustomed to use, though erroneously, the expression 'Dharma Nirapekshata', so far as the State and its institutions are concerned, as an equivalent of secularism in contemporary Bharata's constitutional vocabulary and political parlance. A more accurate equivalent Hindi translation of "secularism" would be "Sampradaya Nirapekshata" because "Dharma" in Bharata's tradition also stands for Law and Morality and no State can be devoid of Law and Morality."''</blockquote>This misinterpretation of Dharma as religion is the cause of it being seen a source of conflict and something injurious to the feeling of fraternity among the citizens. This is wholly erroneous. For, Dharma, as it will be seen further, indicates adherence to qualities of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfullness), Asteya (not acquiring illegitimate wealth), Shaucha (cleanliness of mind and body i.e., purity of thought, word and deed) and Indriyanigraha (control of senses). If secularism is translated as meaning 'Dharma Nirapekshata', it means a state where all the above rules of dharma have no place. Certainly our Constitution is not intended to establish a State of Adharma. Also, a literal translation of 'Dharma Nirapekshata' in English is 'bereft of dharma' or a lawless State i.e., State without Morals. Further, the famous saying "यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः । ''yato dharmastato jayaḥ।''" which means ’where there is dharma, there is victory”, would become "''yato religion tato jayaḥ''" which means 'victory is always to religion' and not to dharma. Such are the consequences of erroneous translation of dharma as religion.<ref name=":3" />

== धर्मपरिभाषा ॥ Definition of Dharma ==

== धर्मपरिभाषा ॥ Definition of Dharma ==

There is no proper equivalent word in English for the Sanskrit term Dharma.<ref name=":4" /> With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language. It would also be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained.<ref name=":3" /> It takes many English words to describe the concept of Dharma.<ref name=":1" />

There is no proper equivalent word in English for the Sanskrit term Dharma.<ref name=":4" /> With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language. It would also be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained.<ref name=":3" /> It takes many English words to describe the concept of Dharma.<ref name=":1" />

* It is the cementer and sustainer of social life. The rules of Dharma have been laid down for regulating the worldly affairs of men and brings as its consequence happiness, both in this world and in the next.  

* It is the cementer and sustainer of social life. The rules of Dharma have been laid down for regulating the worldly affairs of men and brings as its consequence happiness, both in this world and in the next.  

* It is the means of preserving one’s self. If you transgress it, it will destroy you. If you protect it, it will protect you. It is the sole companion after death and the sole refuge of humanity.  

* It is the means of preserving one’s Self. If you transgress it, it will destroy you. If you protect it, it will protect you. It is the sole companion after death and the sole refuge of humanity.  

* Another definition of dharma says "That which elevates one is Dharma.' It helps one to have direct communion with the Lord. It leads one to the path of perfection and glory thereby facilitating the ascending stairway unto the Supreme. In fact, Self-realisation is the highest Dharma.<ref name=":4" />

* Another definition of dharma says "That which elevates one is Dharma.' It helps one to have direct communion with the Lord. It leads one to the path of perfection and glory thereby facilitating the ascending stairway unto the Supreme. In fact, Self-realisation is the highest Dharma.<ref name=":4" />

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says,<blockquote>तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥१६- २४॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 16].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tasmācchāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākāryavyavasthitau । jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṁ karma kartumihārhasi ॥16- 24॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Let the scriptures be the authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done.  

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says,<blockquote>तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥१६- २४॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 16].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tasmācchāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākāryavyavasthitau । jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṁ karma kartumihārhasi ॥16- 24॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Let the scriptures be the authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done.  

In the matter of Dharma, the Vedas are the ultimate authority. One cannot know the truth about dharma through any source of knowledge other than the Vedas. Reason cannot be the authority in the matter of dharma. According to Manu, the four Vedas, the Smrti texts, the behaviour of those who have entered into their spirit and act according to their injunctions, the conduct of holy men and satisfaction of one’s own self are the bases of dharma. Dharma, according to some texts, is as follows.<ref name=":4" />

In the matter of Dharma, the Vedas are the ultimate authority. One cannot know the truth about dharma through any source of knowledge other than the Vedas. Reason cannot be the authority in the matter of dharma. According to Manu, the four Vedas, the Smrti texts, the behaviour of those who have entered into their spirit and act according to their injunctions, the conduct of holy men and satisfaction of one’s own Self are the bases of dharma.<ref name=":4" />

 

=== मीमांसायां धर्मः ॥ Dharma in Mimamsa ===

=== मीमांसायां धर्मः ॥ Dharma in Mimamsa ===

=== वैशेषिकदर्शने धर्मः ॥ Dharma in Vaisheshika Darshana ===

=== वैशेषिकदर्शने धर्मः ॥ Dharma in Vaisheshika Darshana ===

Rishi Kanada, the founder of the Vaisheshika system of philosophy, has given the best definition of Dharma. He says in his Vaiseshika Sutras,<blockquote>यतोऽभ्युदयनिःश्रेयससिद्धिः स धर्मः । १,१.२ | ''yato'bhyudayaniḥśreyasasiddhiḥ sa dharmaḥ । 1,1.2 |''<ref>Maharshi Kanada, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaisheshika Sutras].</ref></blockquote>Meaning: That which leads to the attainment of Abhyudaya (prosperity in this world) and Nihshreyasa (total cessation of pain and attainment of eternal bliss hereafter) is Dharma.<ref name=":4" />

Rishi Kanada, the founder of the Vaisheshika system of philosophy, gives the definition of Dharma in his Vaiseshika Sutras as,<blockquote>यतोऽभ्युदयनिःश्रेयससिद्धिः स धर्मः । १,१.२ | ''yato'bhyudayaniḥśreyasasiddhiḥ sa dharmaḥ । 1,1.2 |''<ref>Maharshi Kanada, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaisheshika Sutras].</ref></blockquote>Meaning: That which leads to the attainment of Abhyudaya (prosperity in this world) and Nihshreyasa (total cessation of pain and attainment of eternal bliss hereafter) is Dharma.<ref name=":4" />

=== स्मृत्यां धर्म ॥ Dharma in the Smrti ===

=== स्मृत्यां धर्मः ॥ Dharma in the Smrti ===

Madhavacharya in his commentary on Parashara Smrti, has briefly and precisely explained the meaning of Dharma as follows:<blockquote>अभ्युदय-निश्रेयसे साधनसत्त्वेन धारयति इति धर्मः । स च लक्षण-प्रमाणाभ्यां चोदनासूत्रैर्व्यवस्थापितः ॥<ref>Pandit Vaman Sastri Islamapurkar (1893), Parasara Dharma Samhita ([https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.273888/page/n97 Vol.1 Part 1]), Bombay Sanskrit Series no.XLVII, Bombay: Government Central Book Depot.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''abhyudaya-niśreyase sādhanasattvena dhārayati iti dharmaḥ । sa ca lakṣaṇa-pramāṇābhyāṁ codanāsūtrairvyavasthāpitaḥ ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Dharma is that which sustains and ensures progress and welfare 'of all in this world and eternal Bliss in the other world'. It is promulgated in the form of commands. (positive and negative - vidhi and nishedha)<ref name=":3" />

Madhavacharya in his commentary on Parashara Smrti, has briefly and precisely explained the meaning of Dharma as follows:<blockquote>अभ्युदय-निश्रेयसे साधनसत्त्वेन धारयति इति धर्मः । स च लक्षण-प्रमाणाभ्यां चोदनासूत्रैर्व्यवस्थापितः ॥<ref>Pandit Vaman Sastri Islamapurkar (1893), Parasara Dharma Samhita ([https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.273888/page/n97 Vol.1 Part 1]), Bombay Sanskrit Series no.XLVII, Bombay: Government Central Book Depot.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''abhyudaya-niśreyase sādhanasattvena dhārayati iti dharmaḥ । sa ca lakṣaṇa-pramāṇābhyāṁ codanāsūtrairvyavasthāpitaḥ ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Dharma is that which sustains and ensures progress and welfare 'of all in this world and eternal Bliss in the other world'. It is promulgated in the form of commands. (positive and negative - vidhi and nishedha)<ref name=":3" />

The essence of various definitions of Dharma was put by Manu (मनुः) as

However, the essence of various definitions of Dharma is put together by Manu (मनुः) as<blockquote>अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः । एतं सामासिकं धर्मं चातुर्वर्ण्येऽब्रवीन्मनुः ॥ 10.63 ||</blockquote><blockquote>''ahiṁsā satyamasteyaṁ śaucamindriyanigrahaḥ । etaṁ sāmāsikaṁ dharmaṁ cāturvarṇye'bravīnmanuḥ ॥ 10.63 ||''</blockquote>Meaning: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (not coveting the property of others), Shaucha (Purity) and Indriyanigraha (control of senses) are in brief the common dharmas for all [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varnas]].

 

<q>Ahimsa (अहिम्सा, non-violence), Satya (सत्यः, truthfulness), Asteya (अस्तोयम्, not coveting the property of others), Soucham (सौचम्, purity) and Indriyanigraha (इन्द्रियनिग्रहः, control of senses) are in brief, the common Dharmas for all [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varnas (वर्णाः)]].</q><ref name="LCHI-Rama_Jois-Ch1" />

<ref name="LCHI-Rama_Jois-Ch1" />

=== महाभारते धर्मः ॥ Dharma in the Mahabharata ===

=== महाभारते धर्मः ॥ Dharma in the Mahabharata ===