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Acharana Dharma (Samskrit: आचरणधर्मः) refers to the general code of conduct prescribed for mankind in view of a healthy personal and societal life.

Acharana Dharma (Samskrit: आचरणधर्मः) refers to the general code of conduct prescribed for mankind in view of a healthy personal and societal life.  

 

== 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, <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 (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>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, 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>

== विधिताचरणम् ॥ Prescribed Code of Conduct ==

== विधिताचरणम् ॥ Prescribed Code of Conduct ==

Manusmrti says,  

Manusmrti says,  

*Without causing pain to any beings, one shall, for the purpose of obtaining a companion in the other world, accumulate spiritual merit, slowly; just as the white ants accumulate the ant-hill. For there, neither father, nor mother, nor wife, nor sons, nor relations stay as companions; spiritual merit alone remains. One should, therefore, slowly accumulate spiritual merit, for the purpose of securing a companion; for, with merit as one's companion, man crosses over unfordable darkness. (Manu Smrt. 4.238, 239 and 242).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>धर्मं शनैः संचिनुयाद्वल्मीकं इव पुत्तिकाः । परलोकसहायार्थं सर्वभूतान्यपीडयन् || ४.२३८ ||</blockquote><blockquote>नामुत्र हि सहायार्थं पिता माता च तिष्ठतः । न पुत्रदारं न ज्ञातिर्धर्मस्तिष्ठति केवलः || ४.२३९ ||</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माद्धर्मं सहायार्थं नित्यं संचिनुयाच्छनैः । धर्मेण हि सहायेन तमस्तरति दुस्तरम् || ४.२४२ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>dharmaṁ śanaiḥ saṁcinuyādvalmīkaṁ iva puttikāḥ । paralokasahāyārthaṁ sarvabhūtānyapīḍayan || 4.238 ||</blockquote><blockquote>nāmutra hi sahāyārthaṁ pitā mātā ca tiṣṭhataḥ । na putradāraṁ na jñātirdharmastiṣṭhati kevalaḥ || 4.239 ||</blockquote><blockquote>tasmāddharmaṁ sahāyārthaṁ nityaṁ saṁcinuyācchanaiḥ । dharmeṇa hi sahāyena tamastarati dustaram || 4.242 ||</blockquote>

*Without causing pain to any beings, one shall, for the purpose of obtaining a companion in the other world, accumulate adhyatmik merit, slowly; just as the white ants accumulate the ant-hill. For there, neither father, nor mother, nor wife, nor sons, nor relations stay as companions; adhyatmik merit alone remains. One should, therefore, slowly accumulate adhyatmik merit, for the purpose of securing a companion; for, with merit as one's companion, man crosses over unfordable darkness. (Manu Smrt. 4.238, 239 and 242).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>धर्मं शनैः संचिनुयाद्वल्मीकं इव पुत्तिकाः । परलोकसहायार्थं सर्वभूतान्यपीडयन् || ४.२३८ ||</blockquote><blockquote>नामुत्र हि सहायार्थं पिता माता च तिष्ठतः । न पुत्रदारं न ज्ञातिर्धर्मस्तिष्ठति केवलः || ४.२३९ ||</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माद्धर्मं सहायार्थं नित्यं संचिनुयाच्छनैः । धर्मेण हि सहायेन तमस्तरति दुस्तरम् || ४.२४२ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>dharmaṁ śanaiḥ saṁcinuyādvalmīkaṁ iva puttikāḥ । paralokasahāyārthaṁ sarvabhūtānyapīḍayan || 4.238 ||</blockquote><blockquote>nāmutra hi sahāyārthaṁ pitā mātā ca tiṣṭhataḥ । na putradāraṁ na jñātirdharmastiṣṭhati kevalaḥ || 4.239 ||</blockquote><blockquote>tasmāddharmaṁ sahāyārthaṁ nityaṁ saṁcinuyācchanaiḥ । dharmeṇa hi sahāyena tamastarati dustaram || 4.242 ||</blockquote>

*One who acts resolutely, is gentle and tolerant, who does not associate with persons of cruel disposition, and who does no injury to others, shall win heaven by self-control and liberality, if one sticks to this practice. (Manu Smrt. 4.246).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>दृढकारी मृदुर्दान्तः क्रूराचारैरसंवसन् । अहिंस्रो दमदानाभ्यां जयेत्स्वर्गं तथाव्रतः || ४.२४६ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>dr̥ḍhakārī mr̥durdāntaḥ krūrācārairasaṁvasan ।ahiṁsro damadānābhyāṁ jayetsvargaṁ tathāvrataḥ || 4.246 ||</blockquote>

*One who acts resolutely, is gentle and tolerant, who does not associate with persons of cruel disposition, and who does no injury to others, shall win heaven by self-control and liberality, if one sticks to this practice. (Manu Smrt. 4.246).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>दृढकारी मृदुर्दान्तः क्रूराचारैरसंवसन् । अहिंस्रो दमदानाभ्यां जयेत्स्वर्गं तथाव्रतः || ४.२४६ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>dr̥ḍhakārī mr̥durdāntaḥ krūrācārairasaṁvasan ।ahiṁsro damadānābhyāṁ jayetsvargaṁ tathāvrataḥ || 4.246 ||</blockquote>

===सदाचारफलम् || Fruits of Good Conduct===

===सदाचारफलम् || Fruits of Good Conduct===

*A Brahmana who, being learned in the lore of the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]], conducts himself in this manner and nullifies his sins, will be exalted in the brahmaloka. (Manu Smrt. 4.260).<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>अनेन विप्रो वृत्तेन वर्तयन्वेदशास्त्रवित् । व्यपेतकल्मषो नित्यं ब्रह्मलोके महीयते || ४.२६० ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>anena vipro vr̥ttena vartayanvedaśāstravit । vyapetakalmaṣo nityaṁ brahmaloke mahīyate || 4.260 ||</blockquote>

*A Brahmana who, being learned in the lore of the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]], conducts himself in this manner and nullifies his sins, will be exalted in the brahmaloka. (Manu Smrt. 4.260).<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>अनेन विप्रो वृत्तेन वर्तयन्वेदशास्त्रवित् । व्यपेतकल्मषो नित्यं ब्रह्मलोके महीयते || ४.२६० ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>anena vipro vr̥ttena vartayanvedaśāstravit । vyapetakalmaṣo nityaṁ brahmaloke mahīyate || 4.260 ||</blockquote>

== References ==

== References ==