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Line 114: − + − + − Also, Brahman or the Eternal is purity. Thus, the Eternal cannot be attained without the attainment of purity. Similarly, Brahman is truth. Therefore, the Eternal cannot be attained without practising truth. Brahman is fearlessness. The Eternal cannot be attained unless you become absolutely fearless. Attachment to the body causes fear and Dehadhyasa. If only you become fearless, then the identification with the body will vanish. Thus, development of the divine qualities is indispensable for the attainment of Self-realisation.<ref name=":4" />+ + − ==धर्माधिष्ठितगुणाः ॥ Values based on Dharma==+ − The 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. Infact, it is the common territory and common values of life evolved and cherished by the people of [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]] that have by far, 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 (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]]. In fact, many values of life were evolved on the basis of fundamental principles. The most cherished values were summed up by Sarvajna Narayana thus :<blockquote>मातृवत्परदारेषु परद्रव्येषु लोष्टवत् | आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु यः पश्यति स पण्डितः ||</blockquote><blockquote>''mātr̥vatparadāreṣu paradravyeṣu loṣṭavat | ātmavatsarvabhūteṣu yaḥ paśyati sa paṇḍitaḥ ||''</blockquote>Meaning: One who treats every woman (other than his wife) as equal to his own mother, treats (rejects) another's wealth as if it were a clod of earth, treats every living being as his own self is really a learned/wise person. Line 154:
Line 154: − + − − Manu Smriti is more concise and brought 'Dharma' under five heads.<blockquote>अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः । एतं सामासिकं धर्मं चातुर्वर्ण्येऽब्रवीन्मनुः ॥ Manu Smrt 10.163</blockquote><blockquote>''ahiṁsā satyamasteyaṁ śaucamindriyanigrahaḥ । etaṁ sāmāsikaṁ dharmaṁ cāturvarṇye'bravīnmanuḥ ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : Ahimsa(non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (not acquiring illegitimate wealth), Shoucham (purity), and Indriyanigraha (control of senses) are, in brief, the common Dharma for all the varnas. − The first rule is not to indulge in violence against other living beings. The second rule requires every one to be truthful in day to day life. The third rule is of the utmost importance. It is the desire to secure wealth by illegitimate methods which makes a man corrupt, a cheat, a smuggler, a black marketeer, an exploiter, and makes even men in noble professions exploit the miseries of others to make more and more money in utter .disregard to professional ethics. Therefore, it is very essential to ingrain in the heart and mind of every individual the desire not to indulge in 'asteya' i.e., acquiring wealth by illegitimate and immoral methods. The fourth one commands every individual to maintain purity of thought, word and deed (Trikarana shuddi i.e., Kaya, Vacha, Manasa), which is also called Antaranga Shuddi (internal/mental purity) and Bahiranga Shuddi (external purity or purity in action). This rule means absolute honesty in that there should be harmony in thought, word and deed of an individual. One should not think something in the mind, speak something else, and do entirely another thing. The fifth perhaps is very important i.e., control of senses. It is lack of control over the senses which results in individuals indulging in all types of illegal and immoral actions, being instigated by the one or more of the six inherent enemies (Arishadvargas). This lands himself as well as others in misery and loss of happiness.+ − − A reading of each one of the above rules at once makes an individual realise what he should do and what he should not do. The observance of the above rules alone secures real happiness and harmony in life.<ref name=":3" /> − − Line 168:
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→धर्माधिष्ठितगुणाः ॥ Values based on Dharma: Editing
Therefore, Dharma embraces every type of righteous conduct covering every aspect of life essential for the sustenance and welfare of the individual and society and includes those rules which guide and enable those who believe in the Supreme and Svarga to attain moksha (eternal bliss). It prescribed the rules of right conduct, observance of which was considered necessary for the welfare of the individual and society. And in laying down Dharma, its propounders took an integrated view of life. Consequently, rules of right conduct covering almost every sphere of human activity such as religion, rules regulating personal conduct of an individual, as a student, as a teacher, as a house-holder, as a husband, as a wife, as a son, as a hermit, as an ascetic, including rules regulating taking of food and the like were prescribed.<ref name=":3" />
Therefore, Dharma embraces every type of righteous conduct covering every aspect of life essential for the sustenance and welfare of the individual and society and includes those rules which guide and enable those who believe in the Supreme and Svarga to attain moksha (eternal bliss). It prescribed the rules of right conduct, observance of which was considered necessary for the welfare of the individual and society. And in laying down Dharma, its propounders took an integrated view of life. Consequently, rules of right conduct covering almost every sphere of human activity such as religion, rules regulating personal conduct of an individual, as a student, as a teacher, as a house-holder, as a husband, as a wife, as a son, as a hermit, as an ascetic, including rules regulating taking of food and the like were prescribed.<ref name=":3" />
== धर्मपुरुषार्थः ॥ Dharma Purushartha ==
== धर्मपुरुषार्थः ॥ Dharma Purushartha (Benefits of the Practice of Dharma) ==
Of the four main aims of human aspiration or the Purusharthas viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, Dharma is given the foremost rank in the scriptures. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to infinite bliss, supreme peace and highest knowledge. Dharma is considered the first, foremost and the primary Purushartha. Through the practice of Dharma alone can one ever hope to achieve the crowning glory of all human endeavours, viz. Moksha which is the best and the highest of all desirable things.
Of the four main aims of human aspiration or the Purusharthas viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, Dharma is given the foremost rank in the scriptures. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to infinite bliss, supreme peace and highest knowledge. Dharma is considered the first, foremost and the primary Purushartha. Through the practice of Dharma alone can one ever hope to achieve the crowning glory of all human endeavours, viz. Moksha which is the best and the highest of all desirable things.
Practice of Dharma leads to the perfect realisation of essential unity or the final end, the highest good, namely, Moksha. The practitioner experiences peace, joy, strength and tranquility within himself. His life becomes thoroughly disciplined. His powers and capacities are exceedingly intensified. He realises that there is one underlying homogeneous essence, a living truth, behind these names and forms. He is transmuted into divinity. His whole nature gets transformed. He becomes one with the Eternal. He beholds Brahman above, Brahman below, Brahman to the right, Brahman to the left, Brahman in front, Brahman at the back, Brahman within, Brahman without and Brahman pervading the whole world.
Practice of Dharma leads to the perfect realisation of essential unity or the final end, the highest good, namely, Moksha. The practitioner experiences peace, joy, strength and tranquility within himself. His life becomes thoroughly disciplined. His powers and capacities are exceedingly intensified. He realises that there is one underlying homogeneous essence, a living truth, behind these names and forms. He is transmuted into divinity. His whole nature gets transformed. He becomes one with the Eternal. He beholds Brahman above, Brahman below, Brahman to the right, Brahman to the left, Brahman in front, Brahman at the back, Brahman within, Brahman without and Brahman pervading the whole world.<ref name=":4" />
==धर्माधिष्ठितगुणाः ॥ Values based on Dharma==
The 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. Infact, it is the common territory and common values of life evolved and cherished by the people of [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]] that have by far, 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 (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]].<ref name=":3" />
In fact, many values of life were evolved on the basis of fundamental principles. The most cherished values were summed up by Sarvajna Narayana thus :<blockquote>मातृवत्परदारेषु परद्रव्येषु लोष्टवत् | आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु यः पश्यति स पण्डितः ||</blockquote><blockquote>''mātr̥vatparadāreṣu paradravyeṣu loṣṭavat | ātmavatsarvabhūteṣu yaḥ paśyati sa paṇḍitaḥ ||''</blockquote>Meaning: One who treats every woman (other than his wife) as equal to his own mother, treats (rejects) another's wealth as if it were a clod of earth, treats every living being as his own self is really a learned/wise person.
This advice, if followed by an individual, does not land him in misery or loss of mental happiness. A few more such important values are
This advice, if followed by an individual, does not land him in misery or loss of mental happiness. A few more such important values are
The Matsya Purana enlists freedom from malice, absence of covetousness, control of the senses, austerity, celibacy, compassion, truthfulness, forbearance and fortitude as the fundamentals of Sanatana Dharma.
The Matsya Purana enlists freedom from malice, absence of covetousness, control of the senses, austerity, celibacy, compassion, truthfulness, forbearance and fortitude as the fundamentals of Sanatana Dharma.
The Gita enumerates the following virtues as Daivi-Sampat or divine qualities: fearlessness, cleanness of life, steadfastness in the Yoga of Wisdom, alms-giving, self-restraint, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, straightforwardness, harmlessness, truth, absence of wrath, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion to living beings, non-covetousness, mildness, modesty, absence of fickleness, vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity and absence of envy and pride.<ref name=":4" />
The Gita enumerates the following virtues as Daivi-Sampat or divine qualities: fearlessness, cleanness of life, steadfastness in the Yoga of Wisdom, alms-giving, self-restraint, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, straightforwardness, harmlessness, truth, absence of wrath, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion to living beings, non-covetousness, mildness, modesty, absence of fickleness, vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity and absence of envy and pride.<ref name=":4" />
However, all these virtues are manifestations of the four fundamental virtues:
However, all these virtues are manifestations of the four fundamental virtues:
# Non-violence
# Non-violence
# Truth
# Truth
# Self-control.
# Self-control.
All the above virtues come under the above four cardinal virtues.<ref name=":4" />
All the above virtues come under the above four cardinal virtues.<ref name=":4" />
The development of the divine qualities is indispensable for the attainment of Self-realisation. Brahman or the Eternal is purity. The Eternal cannot be attained without the attainment of purity. Brahman is truth. The Eternal cannot be attained without practising truth. Brahman is fearlessness. The Eternal cannot be attained unless you become absolutely fearless. Attachment to the body causes fear and Dehadhyasa. If only you become fearless, then the identification with the body will vanish.<ref name=":4" />
Manu Smriti is more concise and brought 'Dharma' under five heads.<blockquote>अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः । एतं सामासिकं धर्मं चातुर्वर्ण्येऽब्रवीन्मनुः ॥ Manu Smrt 10.163</blockquote><blockquote>''ahiṁsā satyamasteyaṁ śaucamindriyanigrahaḥ । etaṁ sāmāsikaṁ dharmaṁ cāturvarṇye'bravīnmanuḥ ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : Ahimsa(non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (not acquiring illegitimate wealth), Shoucham (purity), and Indriyanigraha (control of senses) are, in brief, the common Dharma for all the varnas.
The first rule is not to indulge in violence against other living beings. The second rule requires every one to be truthful in day to day life. The third rule is of the utmost importance. It is the desire to secure wealth by illegitimate methods which makes a man corrupt, a cheat, a smuggler, a black marketeer, an exploiter, and makes even men in noble professions exploit the miseries of others to make more and more money in utter .disregard to professional ethics. Therefore, it is very essential to ingrain in the heart and mind of every individual the desire not to indulge in 'asteya' i.e., acquiring wealth by illegitimate and immoral methods. The fourth one commands every individual to maintain purity of thought, word and deed (Trikarana shuddi i.e., Kaya, Vacha, Manasa), which is also called Antaranga Shuddi (internal/mental purity) and Bahiranga Shuddi (external purity or purity in action). This rule means absolute honesty in that there should be harmony in thought, word and deed of an individual. One should not think something in the mind, speak something else, and do entirely another thing. The fifth perhaps is very important i.e., control of senses. It is lack of control over the senses which results in individuals indulging in all types of illegal and immoral actions, being instigated by the one or more of the six inherent enemies (Arishadvargas). This lands himself as well as others in misery and loss of happiness.
A reading of each one of the above rules at once makes an individual realise what he should do and what he should not do. The observance of the above rules alone secures real happiness and harmony in life.<ref name=":3" />
== धर्मशिक्षणम् || Inculcation of Dharma ==
== धर्मशिक्षणम् || Inculcation of Dharma ==