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Line 1: − + − Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]], our beloved Janmabhumi. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of every individual in this land.<ref name=":2">Mandagadde, Rama Jois. (1997) ''Dharma : The Global Ethic'' Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Adding content from Dharma - The Global Ethic (to be edited)
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Dharma (Samskrit : धर्मः) served as the foundational principle for people all traditions that arose on Bharatavarsha. Every person leads a life irrespective of the civilization he belongs to. But every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली), which, as per that civilization’s convictions, is superior to the way other civilizations live. And the basis this characteristic way of living is forms the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon. And underlying the way of living and the perspectives of life are the perspectives about the world ie. vishwa dristhi (विश्वदृष्टीः worldview) and tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञान - foundational philosophy) that the civilization is founded upon. The world view and perspectives toward life held by the civilization tend to influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities.
Dharma (Samskrit : धर्मः) served as the foundational principle for people of all traditions that arose on Bharatavarsha. Every person leads a life irrespective of the civilization he belongs to. But every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली), which, as per that civilization’s convictions, is superior to the way other civilizations live. And on the basis of this characteristic way of living is formed the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon. And underlying the way of living and the perspectives of life are the perspectives about the world ie. vishva drshti (विश्वदृष्टिः । worldview) and tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञानम् - foundational philosophy) that the civilization is founded upon. The world view and perspectives toward life held by the civilization tend to influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities.
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
“Dharma” is that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintains the social order and secures the general well-being and progress of man-kind” says the Supreme Court of India.
With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language.<ref name=":3">Justice M.Rama Jois, [https://www.vhp-america.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DHARMA_Ram_Jois.pdf Dharma The Global Ethic].</ref>
=== Dharma as expounded in various texts ===
* Dharma in the Vedas
* Dharma in Mimamsa
JAIMINI, the author of the celebrated Purvamimamsa, explains 'Dharma' thus:
स हि निःश्रेयसेन पुरुषं संयुनक्तीति प्रतिजानीमहे । तदभिधीयते - JAIMINII-2
Dharma is that which is indicated by the Vedas as conducive to the highest good.
* Dharma in the Smrti
Madhavacharya in his commentary on Parashara Smriti, has briefly and precisely explained the meaning of Dharma as follows:
अभ्युदय-निश्रेयसे साधनसत्त्वेन धारयति इति धर्मः । स च लक्षण-प्रमाणाभ्यां चोदनासूत्रैर्व्यवस्थापितः ॥
Dharma is that which sustains and ensures progress and welfare 'of all in this world and eternal Bliss in the other world. Dharma is promulgated in the form of commands. (positive and negative - vidhi and nishedha)
* Dharma in the Ramayana
* Dharma in the Mahabharata
Mahabharata the great epic which is acclaimed as the Manava Kartavya Shastra (code of duties of human beings) contains a discussion of this topic. On being asked by Yudhisthira to explain the meaning and scope of DHARMA, Bhishma who had mastered the knowledge of Dharma replied thus:
तादृशोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यत्र धर्मः सुदुर्लभः । दुष्करः प्रतिसंख्यातुं तत्केनात्र व्यवस्यति ॥
प्रभवार्थाय भूतानां धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम् । यः स्यात्प्रभवसंयुक्तः स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥
SHANTHI PARVA - 109-9-11
It is most difficult to define Dharma. Dharma has been explained to be that which helps the upliftment of living beings. Therefore, that which ensures the welfare of living beings is surely Dharma. The learned rishis have declared that which sustains is Dharma.
Karna Parva- Ch.. 69 Verse 58 eulogises Dharma in the following words:
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>
Dharma sustains the society Dharma maintains the social order Dharma ensures well being and progress of Humanity Dharma is surely that which fulfils these objectives
Therefore, Dharma embraces every type of righteous conduct covering every aspect of life essential for the sustenance and welfare of the indiavidual and society and includes those rules which guide and enable those who believe in the divine and svarga to attain moksha (eternal bliss).<ref name=":3" />
* Dharma in the Manusmurti
* Dharma in the Arthashastra
* Dharma in the Hitopadesha
* Dharma in the Rajatarangini
Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]].'Dharma is a Sanskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word in any other language. It would also be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained. It has a wide variety of meanings. A few of them would enable us to understand the range of that expression. For instance, the word 'Dharma' is used to mean Justice (Nyaya), what is right in a given circumstance, moral values of life, pious obligations of individuals, righteous conduct in every sphere of activity, being helpful to other living beings, giving charity to individuals in need of it or to a public cause or alms to the needy, natural qualities or characteristics or properties of living beings and things, duty and law as also constitutional law.<ref name=":2">Mandagadde, Rama Jois. (1997) ''Dharma : The Global Ethic'' Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref>
=== Multiple facets of Dharma ===
# Dharma as a virtue
# Dharma as the principle on the foundation of which a society stands
# Dharma as principles of justice (न्यायः)
# Svabhava Dharma : Dharma as character (स्वभावः)
# Achara Dharma : Dharma as behaviour (आचारः)
# [[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)
== Dharmashastras ==
== Dharmashastras ==