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== Concept of Dharma ==

== Concept of Dharma ==

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha, our beloved Motherland. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of an individual in this land.<ref>Mandagadde, Rama Jois. (1997) ''Dharma : The Global Ethic''  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> As proclaimed by numerous scholars, Dharma is one of those Samskrit terms that defy all attempts at an exact rendering in English or any other tongue.<ref>Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>     

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha, our beloved Motherland. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of an individual in this land.<ref>Mandagadde, Rama Jois. (1997) ''Dharma : The Global Ethic''  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> As proclaimed by numerous scholars, Dharma is one of those Samskrit terms that defy all attempts at an exact rendering in English or any other tongue.<ref name=":1">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>     

Mahabharata proclaims that ultimately it is Dharma which holds together all the entities of the Universe. <blockquote>धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः। यत्स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)</blockquote>''That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma''<ref name=":0">''Sanatana Dharma : An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics''. (1903) Benares : The Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College</ref>

Mahabharata proclaims that ultimately it is Dharma which holds together all the entities of the Universe. <blockquote>धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः। यत्स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)</blockquote>''That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma''<ref name=":0">''Sanatana Dharma : An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics''. (1903) Benares : The Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College</ref>

# विश्वकोशः न ॥ Not an encyclopedia : The topics discussed here primarily include various aspects of religion, philosophy and to a certain extent pertinent historical aspects.  

# विश्वकोशः न ॥ Not an encyclopedia : The topics discussed here primarily include various aspects of religion, philosophy and to a certain extent pertinent historical aspects.  

# कालानुक्रमणिका ॥ Dating or Chronology of Texts: The subject of establishing timeframes of Vedas, vedic texts, or any other allied literature will not be attempted here.

# कालानुक्रमणिका ॥ Dating or Chronology of Texts: The subject of establishing timeframes of Vedas, vedic texts, or any other allied literature will not be attempted here.

# अननुवादनीयम् ॥ Non-translatables : English or any language is grossly insufficient to explain the numerous nuances of the divine language Samskrit. Hence words such as Moksha is translated as 'liberation' or 'release from bondage' which do not exactly stand for Moksha. Hence such words, viz., atma, karma, moksha, sat, chit, etc are used as is in the articles.

# अननुवादनीयम् ॥ Non-translatable : English or any language is grossly insufficient to explain the numerous nuances of the divine language Samskrit. Hence words such as Moksha is translated as 'liberation' or 'release from bondage' which do not exactly stand for Moksha. Hence such words, viz., atma, karma, moksha, sat, chit, etc are used as is in the articles.

# भारतीय विद्वत्समीक्षा ॥ Indian Scholarly Views : Present the field of "Indology", largely controlled till date by western academia, from an Indian perspective to dispel myths created by western indoctrination.

# भारतीय विद्वत्समीक्षा ॥ Indian Scholarly Views : Present the field of "Indology", largely controlled till date by western academia, from an Indian perspective to dispel myths created by western indoctrination.

# संस्कृतमूलम् ॥ Original Samskrit Sources : Articles should comprise of original samskrit references from traditional texts (Vedas, Vaidika Vangmaya, Puranas, Itihasas etc) with their sources attached and cited.

# संस्कृतमूलम् ॥ Original Samskrit Sources : Articles should comprise of original samskrit references from traditional texts (Vedas, Vaidika Vangmaya, Puranas, Itihasas etc) with their sources attached and cited.

# भारतीयप्रज्ञा ॥ Bharatiya Prajna : Reference to indigenous research heritage of Bharatavarsha is advocated as opposed to that originating from western sources.

# भारतीयप्रज्ञा ॥ Bharatiya Prajna : Reference to indigenous research heritage of Bharatavarsha is advocated as opposed to that originating from western sources.

# सिद्धान्तसमैक्यता ॥ Integral Unity of Sanatana Dharma: Articles present the rich diversity of various traditions while emphasizing on the integral unity of core principles of Sanatana Dharma.

# सिद्धान्तसमैक्यता ॥ Integral Unity of Sanatana Dharma: Articles present the rich diversity of various traditions while emphasizing on the integral unity of core principles of Sanatana Dharma.

# Academic Rigor : There is no compromise on the quality of work presented here, although it is understood that articles are gradually refined over time.  

# रचना सौष्ठवम् ॥ Academic Rigor : There is no compromise on the quality of work presented here, although it is understood that articles are gradually refined over time.  

== Dharma Constituents ==

== Dharma Constituents ==

* '''Shanti prakriya''' (rites for propitiating planets)}}  

* '''Shanti prakriya''' (rites for propitiating planets)}}  

From the above list it can be understood that the concept of Dharma is a far reaching one, embracing the whole life of man. The propounders of Dharmashastra meant by Dharma not a creed or religion but a mode of life or a code of conduct, which regulated a man's work and activities as a member of society and as an individual. Dharma was intended to bring about the gradual development of a man and enable him to reach what was deemed to be the goal of human existence. From this standpoint various divisions of dharma were suggested.  

From the above list it can be understood that the concept of Dharma is a far reaching one, embracing the whole life of man. The propounders of Dharmashastra meant by Dharma not a creed or religion but a mode of life or a code of conduct, which regulated a man's work and activities as a member of society and as an individual. Dharma was intended to bring about the gradual development of a man and enable him to reach what was deemed to be the goal of human existence. From this standpoint various divisions of dharma were suggested.<ref name=":1" />

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses<ref>Rajiv Malhotra. (2011) ''[[Being Different]]''</ref>

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses<ref>Rajiv Malhotra. (2011) ''[[Being Different]]''</ref>