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Pramanas for Dharma (धर्मप्रमाणानि) (view source)
Revision as of 16:09, 7 September 2017
, 16:09, 7 September 2017Added Content
== परिचय || Introduction ==
== परिचय || Introduction ==
The Vedas are the source of all Dharmas (in moral, social, religious, judicial, and spiritual sense) that have been in practice since times immemorial and hence is called Sanaatana Dharma or eternal dharma.
Dharma is a samskrit expression of the widest import. There is no corresponding word for Dharma in any other language in this world as it is a unique and ancient concept promulgated by rishis since times immemorial. It would be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained and has a wide variety of meanings. The vedic literature starting with Smritis have shown the irrevocable link between Dharma and Vedas.
=== Manusmriti ===
=== Manusmriti ===
According to Manu, those aspiring to know Dharmas should seek refuge in Vedas.<blockquote>धर्मजिज्ञासानां प्रमाणं परमं श्रुतिः ॥ (Manusmriti (2.3))</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : For those greatly interested seekers of Dharma, the Vedas (Shrutis) are the highest authority.</blockquote><blockquote>वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलम् ॥ (Manusmriti (2.6))</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: Indeed ! Vedas are the source of all Dharmas.</blockquote>That the Vedas are the very treasure house of all Dharmas was unequivocally and unquestionably proclaimed by Manu, the first Law-giver after the Vedas as follows<blockquote>विभर्ति सर्वभूतानि, वेदशास्त्रं सनातनम् | तस्मादेतत्परं मन्ये, यज्जन्तोरस्य साधनम् || (Manusmriti (12.99))</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: The eternal Veda shastra upholds or protects all beings (by being their flawless guideline). Those endeavoring for the welfare of all beings (यज्जन्तः) regard Vedas as their authoritative instrument in achieving it.</blockquote>
According to Manu, those aspiring to know Dharmas should seek refuge in Vedas.<blockquote>धर्मजिज्ञासानां प्रमाणं परमं श्रुतिः ॥ (Manusmriti (2.3))</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : For those greatly interested seekers of Dharma, the Vedas (Shrutis) are the highest authority.</blockquote><blockquote>वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलम् ॥ (Manusmriti (2.6))</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: Indeed ! Vedas are the source of all Dharmas.</blockquote>That the Vedas are the very treasure house of all Dharmas was unequivocally and unquestionably proclaimed by Manu, the first Law-giver after the Vedas as follows<blockquote>विभर्ति सर्वभूतानि, वेदशास्त्रं सनातनम् | तस्मादेतत्परं मन्ये, यज्जन्तोरस्य साधनम् || (Manusmriti (12.99))</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: The eternal Veda shastra upholds or protects all beings (by being their flawless guideline). Those endeavoring for the welfare of all beings (यज्जन्तः) regard Vedas as their authoritative instrument in achieving it.</blockquote>
नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् ||
नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् ||
Mahabharata which is acclaimed as the मानव कर्तव्य शास्त्र || Manava kartavya sastra, has a discussion of this topic in the form of conversation between Yudhistira and Bhishma thus,<blockquote>तादृशोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यत्र धर्मः सुदुर्लभः ।</blockquote><blockquote>दुष्करः प्रतिसंख्यातुं तत्केनात्र व्यवस्यति ॥</blockquote><blockquote>प्रभावार्थाय भूतानां धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम् ।</blockquote><blockquote>यः स्यात्प्रभवसंयुक्तः स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥ (Maha. Shanti. 109-9-11)</blockquote><blockquote>tādṛśo'yamanupraśno yatra dharmaḥ sudurlabhaḥ |</blockquote><blockquote>duṣkaraḥ pratisaṃkhyātuṃ tatkenātra vyavasyati || </blockquote><blockquote>prabhāvārthāya bhūtānāṃ dharmapravacanaṃ kṛtam |</blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ syātprabhavasaṃyuktaḥ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ || (Maha. Shanti. 109-9-11)</blockquote>Meaning : It is most difficult to define Dharma. Dharma has been explained to be that which helps the upliftment of living beings. Therefore, that which helps ensures the welfare of living beings is surely Dharma. The learned rishis have declared that which sustains is Dharma.<blockquote>धारणाद् धर्म इत्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः |</blockquote><blockquote>यत् स्याद् धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः || (Maha. Karna. 69-58)</blockquote><blockquote>dhāraṇād dharma ityāhurdharmo dhārayate prajāḥ |</blockquote><blockquote>yat syād dhāraṇasaṃyuktaṃ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ || (Maha. Karna. 69-58)</blockquote>Meaning : The above verse eulogizes Dharma as follows " Dharma sustains the society, Dharma maintains the social order, Dharma ensures the well being and progress of humanity, Dharma is surely that which fulfills these objectives"
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 God and heaven to attain मोक्ष || moksha (eternal bliss). The necessity of scrupulous practice of Dharma is forcefully expressed in Manusmriti thus:<blockquote>धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः |</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माध्दर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् || (Manu 6-11-15)</blockquote><blockquote>dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ |</blockquote><blockquote>tasmādhdarmo na hantavyo mā no dharmo hato'vadhīt || (Manu 6-11-15)</blockquote>Meaning : Dharma protects those who protect it. Those who destroy Dharma get destroyed. Therefore, Dharma should not be destroyed so that we may not be destroyed as a consequence thereof.
== सम्वाद || Discussion ==
== सम्वाद || Discussion ==
== References ==
== References ==