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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

The concept of [[Dharma (धर्मः)|Dharma]] in the [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharata's]] conscious is far-reaching and deep. It addresses duties and responsibilities both at the micro (personal) as well as macro (societal) level. Shabdakalpadruma says,  

The concept of [[Dharma (धर्मः)|Dharma]] in the [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharata's]] conscious is far-reaching and deep. It addresses duties and responsibilities both at the micro (personal) as well as macro (societal) level. Shabdakalpadruma says,  

<blockquote>धरति लोकान् ध्रियते पुण्यात्मभिरिति वा (धर्मः)। ''dharati lokān dhriyate puṇyātmabhiriti vā (dharmaḥ)।''<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A7 Shabdakalpadruma]</ref></blockquote>[[File:Slide 9.jpg|thumb|449x449px|'''Acharana Dharma''']]Meaning: That which holds the world (binds people together) or that which is upheld by meritorious people is Dharma.  

<blockquote>धरति लोकान् ध्रियते पुण्यात्मभिरिति वा (धर्मः)। ''dharati lokān dhriyate puṇyātmabhiriti vā (dharmaḥ)।''<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A7 Shabdakalpadruma]</ref></blockquote>Meaning: That which holds the world (binds people together) or that which is upheld by meritorious people is Dharma.  

Therefore, Dharma is not just that which is upheld as a virtue in life, it is also the principle on the foundation of which a society stands. Thus, it could also refer to principles of justice (न्यायः), character (स्वभावः), behaviour (आचारः), etc. And has multiple facets viz. [[Svadharma (स्वधर्मः)|Svadharma]] (स्वधर्मः । individual), Kautumbika dharma (कौटुम्बिकधर्मः । towards family), Samajika dharma (सामाजिकधर्मः । towards society), [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varna dharma]] (वर्णधर्मः), [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|Ashrama dharma]] (आश्रमधर्मः), Rashtra dharma (राष्ट्रधर्मः । towards the nation), Manava dharma (मानवधर्मः । towards mankind), etc. Therefore, one meaning of Dharma is Achara or the regulation of daily life. In fact, Achara is referred to as the supreme Dharma.  <blockquote>आचारः परमो धर्मः । ''ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ ।''</blockquote>For, it is the basis of Tapas or austerity. It leads to wealth, beauty, longevity and continuity of lineage. Because, Dharma has its root in morality and the controller of Dharma is the Lord Himself. Whereas, evil conduct and immorality will lead to ill-fame, sorrow, disease and premature death.<ref name=":4">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>  

Therefore, Dharma is not just that which is upheld as a virtue in life, it is also the principle on the foundation of which a society stands. Thus, it could also refer to principles of justice (न्यायः), character (स्वभावः), behaviour (आचारः), etc. And has multiple facets viz. [[Svadharma (स्वधर्मः)|Svadharma]] (स्वधर्मः । individual), Kautumbika dharma (कौटुम्बिकधर्मः । towards family), Samajika dharma (सामाजिकधर्मः । towards society), [[Varna Dharma (वर्णधर्मः)|Varna dharma]] (वर्णधर्मः), [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|Ashrama dharma]] (आश्रमधर्मः), Rashtra dharma (राष्ट्रधर्मः । towards the nation), Manava dharma (मानवधर्मः । towards mankind), etc. Therefore, one meaning of Dharma is Achara or the regulation of daily life. In fact, Achara is referred to as the supreme Dharma.  <blockquote>आचारः परमो धर्मः । ''ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ ।''</blockquote>For, it is the basis of Tapas or austerity. It leads to wealth, beauty, longevity and continuity of lineage. Because, Dharma has its root in morality and the controller of Dharma is the Lord Himself. Whereas, evil conduct and immorality will lead to ill-fame, sorrow, disease and premature death.<ref name=":4">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>