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== Concept of Dharma ==

== Concept of Dharma ==

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha, our beloved Motherland. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of an individual in this land.<ref>Mandagadde, Rama Jois. (1997) ''Dharma : The Global Ethic''  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> As proclaimed by numerous scholars, Dharma is one of those Samskrit terms that defy all attempts at an exact rendering in English or any other tongue.<ref name=":1">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>     

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharatavarsha, our beloved Motherland. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of an individual in this land.<ref name=":2">Mandagadde, Rama Jois. (1997) ''Dharma : The Global Ethic''  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> As proclaimed by numerous scholars, Dharma is one of those Samskrit terms that defy all attempts at an exact rendering in English or any other tongue.<ref name=":1">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref>     

Mahabharata proclaims that ultimately it is Dharma which holds together all the entities of the Universe. <blockquote>धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः। यत्स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)</blockquote><blockquote>dhāraṇāddharmamityāhurdharmo dhārayate prajāḥ। yatsyāddhāraṇasaṁyuktaṁ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)</blockquote>''That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma''<ref name=":0">''Sanatana Dharma : An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics''. (1903) Benares : The Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College</ref>

Mahabharata proclaims that ultimately it is Dharma which holds together all the entities of the Universe. <blockquote>धारणाद्धर्ममित्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः। यत्स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)</blockquote><blockquote>dhāraṇāddharmamityāhurdharmo dhārayate prajāḥ। yatsyāddhāraṇasaṁyuktaṁ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ॥ (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58)</blockquote>''That which supports, that which holds together the peoples (of the universe), that is Dharma''<ref name=":0">''Sanatana Dharma : An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics''. (1903) Benares : The Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College</ref>

Padma Purana also reverberates the same concept.(1.19.335). Our primary efforts are to bring to light and present the unbiased dharmic perspectives on social, economic, political and cultural aspects presented in Shrutis, Smrtis, Puranas and Shastra granthas.  

Padma Purana also reverberates the same concept.(1.19.335). Our primary efforts are to bring to light and present the unbiased dharmic perspectives on social, economic, political and cultural aspects presented in Shrutis, Smrtis, Puranas and Shastra granthas.  

We strive to lay a strong foundation of religion, philosophy, ethics, codes of conduct, and common laws on which the reader may contemplate and build his/her character with more specialized principles suited to his/her intellectual and emotional temperament. It is directed to the building up of a character - pious, dutiful, strong, self reliant, upright, righteous, gentle and well-balanced - a character which will be that of a good man and a good citizen leading a [[Dharmik Lifestyle (धार्मिकजीवनविधानम्)|Dharmik Lifestyle]].<ref name=":0" />

We strive to lay a strong foundation of religion, philosophy, ethics, codes of conduct, and common laws on which the reader may contemplate and build his/her character with more specialized principles suited to his/her intellectual and emotional temperament. It is directed to the building up of a character - pious, dutiful, strong, self reliant, upright, righteous, gentle and well-balanced - a character which will be that of a good man and a good citizen leading a [[Dharmika Jivana Vidhana (धार्मिकजीवनविधानम्)|Dharmika Jivana Vidhana]].<ref name=":0" />

=== लोकसङ्ग्रहम् || A Common Ground ===

=== लोकसङ्ग्रहम् || A Common Ground ===

As Yojakas (योजकाः । organizers) we aim to bring together the diversity of the intellectual thoughts, establishing the foundational unity (एकवाक्यता) in Bharatiya Shastra Granthas. It is inclusive enough to unite the most divergent forms of Hindu thought, but exclusive enough to leave outside it, forms of thought which divides humanity.  

As Yojakas (योजकाः । organizers) we aim to bring together the diversity of the intellectual thoughts, establishing the foundational unity (एकवाक्यता) in Bharatiya Shastra Granthas. It is inclusive enough to unite the most divergent forms of Hindu thought, but exclusive enough to leave outside it, forms of thought which divides humanity.<ref name=":0" />

[[Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांकृतिकपरम्परा)|Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara]] stands unrivalled in the depth and splendour of its philosophy, while it yields to none in the purity of its ethical teachings and in the flexibility and varied adaptation of its rites and ceremonies. <blockquote>अमन्त्रमक्षरं नास्ति नास्ति मूलमनौषधम्‌ । अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः॥ </blockquote><blockquote>amantramakṣaraṁ nāsti nāsti mūlamanauṣadham‌ । ayogyaḥ puruṣo nāsti yojakastatra durlabhaḥ॥</blockquote>''There is no syllable which is not a mantra, no plant which is not of medicinal value, no person totally unworthy, but what is rare is the one who can facilitate or harness these to good use.''  

[[Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा)|Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara]] stands unrivalled in the depth and splendour of its philosophy, while it yields to none in the purity of its ethical teachings and in the flexibility and varied adaptation of its rites and ceremonies. <blockquote>अमन्त्रमक्षरं नास्ति नास्ति मूलमनौषधम्‌ । अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः॥ </blockquote><blockquote>amantramakṣaraṁ nāsti nāsti mūlamanauṣadham‌ । ayogyaḥ puruṣo nāsti yojakastatra durlabhaḥ॥</blockquote>''There is no syllable which is not a mantra, no plant which is not of medicinal value, no person totally unworthy, but what is rare is the one who can facilitate or harness these to good use.''  

=== धर्मसारम् इदं जगत् || Universe is The Essence of Dharma ===

=== धर्मसारम् इदं जगत् || Universe is The Essence of Dharma ===

== Dharma Constituents ==

== Dharma Constituents ==

Classification of dharma was primarily based on Shrutis (Vedic texts and rites) and Smritis (Classes and Stages of life), thus exist

A common territory and common values of life evolved and cherished by the people of Bharatavarsha by far have welded the people of this sacred land into a nation bound by the system of values of life. There are many main and subsidiary values, traditions and customs but all of them within the framework of Sanatana Dharma. Universal acceptance that 'Dharma' bears the Universe and holds entities together (Maha. Karn. 8.69.58) is the moral binding factor of different people of Bharatavarsha. A few important values may be summarized here <ref name=":2" /> {{div col|colwidth=30em}}

# A Code of Conduct: Samanya Dharma (for all human beings) and Raja Dharma (Duty of Rulers)

Manifold are the topics that have been included under the Vedas and Dharmashastras from very ancient times. From very ancient times '''''Truth''''' is exhalted above everything else. Rigveda (7.104.12) says <blockquote>सुविज्ञानं चिकितुषे जनाय सच्चासच्च वचसी पस्पृधाते । तयोर्यत्सत्यं यतरदृजीयस्तदित्सोमोऽवति हन्त्यासत् ॥१२॥</blockquote><blockquote>''True  speech and false speech run a race against each other. Soma protects out of the two what is true and what is very straight-forward and strikes down what is false.'' </blockquote>The conception of ''rta'' in the Rigveda is a sublime one and is the germ of the later doctrine of the rule of dharma. The Dharmasutras of Gautama, Baudhayana, Apastamba, and Vasishta deal in greater or less detail principally the following subjects:

# Equality (Samanata)

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|style=width: 1100px; font-style: italic;|

# Gratitude (Kritajnata)

# Compassion (Daya)

* '''Ashrama Dharmas''' (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa)  

# Simple Life -Sparing use of Natural Resources

# Service (Seva -Paropakara)

* '''Panchamahayajnas''' (yajnas to expiate the 5 debts of man)  

# Sacrifice (Tyaga)

# World is one Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)

* '''Dana''' (Charity)  

{{div col end}}Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses<ref>Rajiv Malhotra. (2011) ''[[Being Different]]''</ref>

* '''Antyesthi''' (performed on the deceased)  

* '''Shraddha''' (performed for deceased ancestors and relatives)  

* '''Stri-Purusha Dharmas''' (duties of husband and wife) 

* '''Vyavahara''' (judicial procedures and laws)  

* '''Apaddharmas''' (actions permitted in extreme difficulties)  

* '''Prayashchitta''' (sins and how to expiate them)  

* '''Shanti prakriya''' (rites for propitiating planets)}}  

 

 

Aptly, in modern thought processes, the dharmic paradigm encompasses<ref>Rajiv Malhotra. (2011) ''[[Being Different]]''</ref>

#integral unity ('''dharmik tattvajnana''')

#integral unity ('''dharmik tattvajnana''')

#perspective of life ('''dharmik jeevan drishti''')

#perspective of life ('''dharmik jeevan drishti''')