Svadharma (स्वधर्मः)
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Purusharthas are very vital for people to lead their lives to the fullest. An individual will only find self-fulfillment and contentment, when he is able to understand his inner potential and work towards realizing them on the ground, all the while also fulfilling his other basic needs, on the one hand and slowly moving towards adhyatmik emancipation, on the other. Thus, performance of svadharma or righteous duties constitute the key to attaining overall wellbeing by an individual.[1]
Among the different elements of vishesha dharma, it is the varna 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.[1]
An individual’s svadharma or personal dharma is a combination of both common and special duties.[2]
According to the Bhagavata Purana, in every age, the dharma (the course of duties) of people is generally determined by their innate nature (accordingly as they are predominantly sattvik, rajasik or tamasik). The Vedic seers have regarded that (particular) course of dharma as conducive to happiness (of persons with such natures) both here and hereafter.[3]
प्रायः स्वभावविहितो नृणां धर्मो युगे युगे । वेददृग्भिः स्मृतो राजन् प्रेत्य चेह च शर्मकृत् ॥ ३१॥[4] prāyaḥ svabhāvavihito nr̥ṇāṁ dharmo yuge yuge । vedadr̥gbhiḥ smr̥to rājan pretya ceha ca śarmakr̥t ॥ 31॥
Meaning
The word ‘swadharm’ is the combination of two terms: swa and dharma (‘swa’ means self and ‘dharma’ derives from the root √dhṛ, which means to bear, to support and to uphold). Swadharma is the action in accordance with one’s nature. It is acting in accordance with one’s skills and talents, one’s own nature (swabhava) and that which one is responsible for (karma). In the contemporary literature, two constructs capture the essence of Swadharma; meaningful work and meditative work.[5]
Svadharma and Lokasamgraha
The appropriate work of a human being is considered to be according stage of life (āśrama) and the Dharmic expression temperament attitude (varṇa). There is a lot of emphasis on finding individual dharma or work that is according to one’s temperament, and the role in family and society. It is termed as Svadharma in Bhagavadgītā.
Lokasaṃgraha stands for the unity of the world, the interconnectedness of the society. It is said that Svadharma and Lokasaṃgraha are realized together. Svadharma signifies the nature of work according to one’s aptitude and situation in life and Lokasaṃgraha is performing action in harmony with social and natural environment.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nithin Sridhar, Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization, indiafacts.org
- ↑ Nithin Sridhar (2015), Samanya Dharma and Spirituality, Prabuddha Bharata
- ↑ Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.967.
- ↑ Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, Adhyaya 11.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Pandey A. (2022), Human Self, Work and of Human Being: Indian Worldview and Implications for Management Practices and Scholarship, Indigenous Indian Management, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.