− | The concept of Dharma in the Indian 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>Meaning: That which holds the world (binds people together) or that which is upheld by meritorious people is Dharma. | + | The concept of Dharma in the Bharat'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>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 । 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, 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 । 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. |