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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

The Sanskrit term 'Dharma' is of wide import. All the rules of righteous conduct of human beings in every sphere of human activity evolved from times immemorial in the civilization of Bharata, fall within the meaning of the word 'Dharma'. It is not religion, as misunderstood by many. For, religion refers to a mode of worship of the divine by the believers. It is personal and left to the choice of individuals. Whereas, Dharma is a code of conduct for all human beings for all time to come. It is universal and applies to all, whether they belong to any religion or not.<ref name=":0" />

The Sanskrit term 'Dharma' is of wide import. All the rules of righteous conduct of human beings in every sphere of human activity evolved from times immemorial in the civilization of Bharata, fall within the meaning of the word 'Dharma'. It is not religion, as misunderstood by many. For, religion refers to a mode of worship of the divine by the believers; it is personal and left to the choice of individuals. Whereas, Dharma is a code of conduct for all human beings for all time to come. It is universal and applies to all, whether they belong to any religion or not.<ref name=":0" />

This Dharma has two forms - a Samanya rupa (Generic form) and a Vishesha rupa (Specific form).  

This Dharma has two forms - a Samanya rupa (Generic form) and a Vishesha rupa (Specific form).  

== धर्मभेदः ॥ Classification of Dharma ==

== धर्मभेदः ॥ Classification of Dharma ==

Samanya Dharma is the general Dharma or law for all men. Varnasrama Dharmas are special Dharmas which are to be practised by particular castes and by men in particular stages of life. The Samanya Dharmas must be practised by all, irrespective of distinctions of Varna and Asrama, creed or colour. Goodness is not the property of any one class, creed, sect or community. Every man should possess this virtue.<ref name=":1" />

Bharatiya Parampara enunciates that Dharma or righteous duties have two aspects.

# सामान्यधर्मः (Samanya Dharma) : This deals with the ethical principles like truth, non-injury, non-stealing, etc., which are common duties of all beings. They are universal principles applicable to all irrespective of their class, gender or nationality.<ref name=":2" /> For eg. Goodness is not a property of any one class, creed, sect or community. It is a virtue every human being should possess. Thus, Samanya Dharma is the general law for all human beings.<ref name=":1" />

# सामान्यधर्मः ॥ Samanyadharma : This deals with the ethical principles like truth, non-injury, non-stealing, etc., which are common duties of all beings. ''Manusmṛti'' (10.63) gives a list of five tenets; ''Arthaśāstra'' (1.3.13) mentions six tenets; ''Yajnavalkya Smṛti'' (1.122) mentions nine tenets; ''Mahābhāratam'' (12.60.7-8) also mentions nine tenets; ''Vāmana Purāṇa''(11.23-24) mentions fourteen tenets and ''Bhāgavatapurāṇa'' (7.11.8-12) mentions thirty tenets as ''sāmānyadharma'' that are applicable to every person.  ''Sāmānya'' ''dharma'' are universal principles applicable to all irrespective of their class, gender, or nationality. The five tenets mentioned in Manu are ''ahiṃsā'' (non-injury), ''satya'' (truth), ''asteya'' (non-stealing), ''indriya-nigraha'' (Sense-restraint) and ''śauca'' (Cleanliness). For a detailed discussion on ''sāmānya'' ''dharma'', See Sridhar, N (2015). Samanya Dharma and Spirituality. ''Prabuddha Bharata''. 120 (9)

# विशेषधर्मः ॥ Vishesha dharma : These are special duties, which are unique to every individual depending on the kala (time), desha (place), varṇa and ashrama. Among these different elements of vishesha dharma, it is the varṇa dharma along with ashrama dharma that caters to different stages in a person’s life, which can be considered as the most defining principles of svadharma or righteous duties with respect to an individual, since they alone cater to the unique temperaments, potential competencies, and inner calling of an individual.<ref>Nithin Sridhar, [http://indiafacts.org/varna-vyavastha-as-a-conceptual-social-order-that-facilitates-self-actualization/ Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization], indiafacts.org</ref>

 

''Manusmṛti'' (10.63) gives a list of five tenets; ''Arthaśāstra'' (1.3.13) mentions six tenets; ''Yajnavalkya Smṛti'' (1.122) mentions nine tenets; ''Mahābhāratam'' (12.60.7-8) also mentions nine tenets; ''Vāmana Purāṇa''(11.23-24) mentions fourteen tenets and ''Bhāgavatapurāṇa'' (7.11.8-12) mentions thirty tenets as ''sāmānyadharma'' that are applicable to every person.  

 

The five tenets mentioned in Manu are ''ahiṃsā'' (non-injury), ''satya'' (truth), ''asteya'' (non-stealing), ''indriya-nigraha'' (Sense-restraint) and ''śauca'' (Cleanliness). For a detailed discussion on ''sāmānya'' ''dharma'', See Sridhar, N (2015). Samanya Dharma and Spirituality. ''Prabuddha Bharata''. 120 (9)<ref name=":2">Nithin Sridhar, [http://indiafacts.org/varna-vyavastha-as-a-conceptual-social-order-that-facilitates-self-actualization/ Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization], indiafacts.org</ref>

THE VISHNU SAMHITA enumerates forgiveness, truthfulness, control of the mind, purity, practice of charity, control of the senses, non-violence, seva (सेवा | selfless service) of the Guru, visiting places of pilgrimage, compassion, simplicity, absence of greed, worship of the gods and the Brahmanas, and absence of malice as the ingredients of Samanya Dharma, the general law for all men.<ref name=":1">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

THE VISHNU SAMHITA enumerates forgiveness, truthfulness, control of the mind, purity, practice of charity, control of the senses, non-violence, seva (सेवा | selfless service) of the Guru, visiting places of pilgrimage, compassion, simplicity, absence of greed, worship of the gods and the Brahmanas, and absence of malice as the ingredients of Samanya Dharma, the general law for all men.<ref name=":1">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>