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Line 135: − == संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis<ref name=":2" /> == − All the values of life enumerated above that evolved in this land of Bharata are collectively called Dharma or Sanatana Dharma. And their practice gave rise to the culture ie. 'Bharatiya Samskrti'. And it is through this cultural bond that the people of Bharata became a Nation and are surviving as a Nation. Because, in Bharata, national idealism was primary. This aspect has been brought forth even by the apex court in India, the Supreme Court. While expounding the basis which has made the people living in this vast sub-continent a nation, it says,<blockquote>The history of India over the past centuries bears witness to the fact that India was at no time a single political unit. Even during the reign of the Maurya dynasty, though a large part of the country was under the sovereignty of the Maurya kings, there were considerable portions of the territory which were under the rule of independent kingdoms. So also during the Mughal rule which extended over large parts of the territory of India, there were independent rulers who enjoyed political sovereignty over the territories of their respective kingdoms. It is an interesting fact of history that India was forged into a nation neither on account of common language nor on account of the continued existence of a single political regime over its territories but on account of a common culture evolved over the centuries. It is cultural unity - something more fundamental and enduring than any other bond which may unite the people of a country together - which has welded this country into a nation.</blockquote>Thus, it is the samskrti (culture) which was evolved in this country from times immemorial that not only welded the people of this country into a nation but also made it invincible. And consequently, the country has survived despite all odds. − − With this background if we examine the values of life evolved in Bharata which are collectively called Dharma, they are of universal application. It is indeed Manava Dharma and not a religion. The instructions in these values such as − # Everyone should tell the truth − # No one should indulge in violence against other living beings − # No one should acquire illegitimate wealth − # Everyone should establish control over their senses − # There should be purity in thought, speech and deed − # Everyone should render service to other individuals − # Every one should abstain from selfishness and greed. − # The world should be regarded as one family − can be considered as applicable to all human beings. They are of eternal value and can ingrain in people character and love towards all living beings. It is a rich heritage and should be inculcated in all citizens. Because, ingraining these values in every individual through education is the solution to all the evils which the world including Bharata is now facing. The resurrection of these values can provide remedy for all the ills afflicting not only Bharata's National life but also the entire humanity. Hence, it is our duty to resurrect, protect and preserve "Dharmika Values" not only to safeguard national interest but also in the interest of humanity as a whole. − + + + + + − + − + − − − He who is firmly established in Ahimsa can hope to attain Self-realisation. He who practises Ahimsa develops cosmic love to a maximum degree. Practice of Ahimsa eventually leads to realisation of oneness or unity of Self. Such a man only can attain self-restraint.+ − + − + Line 167:
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Line 173: + + + + + + + + + + + + + − # M. RAMA JOIS, DHARMA - The Global Ethic, Published by "Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Values Based On Dharma (धर्माधिष्ठितगुणाः) (view source)
Revision as of 17:05, 19 August 2020
, 17:05, 19 August 2020→धर्ममूलानि ॥ Fundamentals of Dharma[14]: Editing
If the people constituting different nations understand this value, and act in that spirit, there will be friendly and harmonious relationship among the nations of the world and humanity will enjoy greater happiness.
If the people constituting different nations understand this value, and act in that spirit, there will be friendly and harmonious relationship among the nations of the world and humanity will enjoy greater happiness.
== धर्ममूलानि ॥ Fundamentals of Dharma<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref> ==
== धर्ममूलानि ॥ Fundamentals of Dharma<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref> ==
According to Swami Sivananda, all the virtues enumerated in various ancient granthas as fundamentals or characteristics of dharma and prescribed to be practiced by all are manifestations of four fundamental or cardinal virtues. Namely,
# Non-violence (अहिंसा)
# Truth (सत्यम्)
# Purity (शौचम्)
# Self-control (इन्द्रियनिग्रहः)
=== Non violence ===
=== अहिंसा || Non violence ===
Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important virtue. That is the reason why Patanjali Maharshi has placed it first in Yama. Practice of Ahimsa must be in thought, word and deed. Practice of Ahimsa is not impotence or cowardice or weakness. It is the highest type of heroism. The practice demands immense patience, forbearance and endurance, infinite inner spiritual strength and gigantic willpower.
Patanjali Maharshi, the propounder of Yoga Darshana, recommends that ten virtues should be practised by all people. They are,<blockquote>''Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Brahmacharya (celibacy in thought, word and deed), Asteya (non-stealing) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness) constituting Yama or self-restraint. And Shaucha (internal and external purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study of scriptures or recitation of Mantras) and Ishvara-pranidhana (consecration of the fruits of all works to the Lord) constituting Niyama or religious observance.''</blockquote>Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important virtue. That is the reason Patanjali Maharshi has placed it first in Yama. Practice of Ahimsa must be in thought, word and deed. Practice of Ahimsa is not impotence, cowardice or weakness. It is the highest form of valour. Its practice demands immense patience, forbearance and endurance, infinite inner spiritual strength and gigantic willpower.
Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important virtue. That is the reason why Patanjali Maharshi has placed it first in Yama. Practice of Ahimsa must be in thought, word and deed. Practice of Ahimsa is not impotence or cowardice or weakness. It is the highest type of heroism. The practice demands immense patience, forbearance and endurance, infinite inner spiritual strength and gigantic willpower.
In fact, the one who is firmly rooted in Ahimsa can hope to attain Self-realisation. Because, due to the practice of Ahimsa one develops cosmic love to the maximum extent. Therefore, it eventually leads to realisation of oneness or unity of Self.
Constant vigilance and alertness are needed in the practice of Ahimsa. If you are careless even a bit, you will be carried away by the force of previous wrong Samskaras and impulses and will become a victim of Himsa, despite your good intentions.
Constant vigilance and alertness are also needed in the practice of Ahimsa. If one is careless even for a bit, he/she will be carried away by the force of previous erroneous Samskaras and impulses and will become a victim of Himsa, despite of good intentions.
=== Truth ===
=== सत्यम् || Truth ===
Brahman is Sat or Existence-Absolute. Truth must be observed in thought, word and deed. If you are established in truth, all other virtues will cling to you by themselves. Harischandra sacrificed everything for the sake of truth.
Brahman is Sat or Existence-Absolute. Truth must be observed in thought, word and deed. If you are established in truth, all other virtues will cling to you by themselves. Harischandra sacrificed everything for the sake of truth.
Honesty, justice, straightforwardness and sincerity are only modifications or expressions of truth.
Honesty, justice, straightforwardness and sincerity are only modifications or expressions of truth.
=== Purity ===
=== शौचम् || Purity ===
Purity comprises both external purity and internal purity. Purity implies both purity of body and purity of mind. Purity of body is only the preliminary to purity of mind.
Purity comprises both external purity and internal purity. Purity implies both purity of body and purity of mind. Purity of body is only the preliminary to purity of mind.
Purity comprises such virtues as frankness, innocence, straightforwardness and absence of all evil thoughts. He who is endowed with purity will find it easy to tread the spiritual path.
Purity comprises such virtues as frankness, innocence, straightforwardness and absence of all evil thoughts. He who is endowed with purity will find it easy to tread the spiritual path.
=== Self-control ===
=== इन्द्रियनिग्रहः || Self-control ===
You must have perfect self-control or self-mastery. Self-control implies both control of the body and control of the mind. Self-control does not mean self-torture. You must lead a well-regulated and disciplined life. You must keep all the senses under your perfect control. The senses are like turbulent and wild horses. This body is like a chariot. Mind is the reins. Intellect is the driver. The Atman is the Lord of the chariot. If the senses are not kept under proper control, they will throw this chariot into a deep abyss. You will come to ruin. He who keeps the reins firm and drives this chariot intelligently by controlling the horses (senses), will reach the destination (Moksha or the Abode of
You must have perfect self-control or self-mastery. Self-control implies both control of the body and control of the mind. Self-control does not mean self-torture. You must lead a well-regulated and disciplined life. You must keep all the senses under your perfect control. The senses are like turbulent and wild horses. This body is like a chariot. Mind is the reins. Intellect is the driver. The Atman is the Lord of the chariot. If the senses are not kept under proper control, they will throw this chariot into a deep abyss. You will come to ruin. He who keeps the reins firm and drives this chariot intelligently by controlling the horses (senses), will reach the destination (Moksha or the Abode of
Self-control implies self-sacrifice, annihilation of egoism, patience, endurance, forbearance and humility. Overcome Raga or attachment by Vairagya or dispassion. Dispassion will dawn in your mind if you look into the defects of sensual life such as birth, death, disease, old age, pain, sorrow, etc. (Mithya-Drishti and Dosha-Drishti). Overcome anger and hatred by Kshama or forgiveness, love and selfless service. Overcome evil by good. Return good for evil. Overcome lust by the practice of Brahmacharya and regular Japa and meditation. Conquer greed by charity, generosity and disinterested actions. Conquer pride by humility and delusion by discrimination and enquiry. Overcome jealousy by magnanimity, Atma-bhava and nobility. Conquer egoism by self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-abnegation and meditation on the non-dual, eternal, self-luminous Brahman, the innermost Self, the Inner Ruler, the Immortal.
Self-control implies self-sacrifice, annihilation of egoism, patience, endurance, forbearance and humility. Overcome Raga or attachment by Vairagya or dispassion. Dispassion will dawn in your mind if you look into the defects of sensual life such as birth, death, disease, old age, pain, sorrow, etc. (Mithya-Drishti and Dosha-Drishti). Overcome anger and hatred by Kshama or forgiveness, love and selfless service. Overcome evil by good. Return good for evil. Overcome lust by the practice of Brahmacharya and regular Japa and meditation. Conquer greed by charity, generosity and disinterested actions. Conquer pride by humility and delusion by discrimination and enquiry. Overcome jealousy by magnanimity, Atma-bhava and nobility. Conquer egoism by self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-abnegation and meditation on the non-dual, eternal, self-luminous Brahman, the innermost Self, the Inner Ruler, the Immortal.
== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis<ref name=":2" /> ==
All the values of life enumerated above that evolved in this land of Bharata are collectively called Dharma or Sanatana Dharma. And their practice gave rise to the culture ie. 'Bharatiya Samskrti'. And it is through this cultural bond that the people of Bharata became a Nation and are surviving as a Nation. Because, in Bharata, national idealism was primary. This aspect has been brought forth even by the apex court in India, the Supreme Court. While expounding the basis which has made the people living in this vast sub-continent a nation, it says,<blockquote>The history of India over the past centuries bears witness to the fact that India was at no time a single political unit. Even during the reign of the Maurya dynasty, though a large part of the country was under the sovereignty of the Maurya kings, there were considerable portions of the territory which were under the rule of independent kingdoms. So also during the Mughal rule which extended over large parts of the territory of India, there were independent rulers who enjoyed political sovereignty over the territories of their respective kingdoms. It is an interesting fact of history that India was forged into a nation neither on account of common language nor on account of the continued existence of a single political regime over its territories but on account of a common culture evolved over the centuries. It is cultural unity - something more fundamental and enduring than any other bond which may unite the people of a country together - which has welded this country into a nation.</blockquote>Thus, it is the samskrti (culture) which was evolved in this country from times immemorial that not only welded the people of this country into a nation but also made it invincible. And consequently, the country has survived despite all odds.
With this background if we examine the values of life evolved in Bharata which are collectively called Dharma, they are of universal application. It is indeed Manava Dharma and not a religion. The instructions in these values such as
# Everyone should tell the truth
# No one should indulge in violence against other living beings
# No one should acquire illegitimate wealth
# Everyone should establish control over their senses
# There should be purity in thought, speech and deed
# Everyone should render service to other individuals
# Every one should abstain from selfishness and greed.
# The world should be regarded as one family
can be considered as applicable to all human beings. They are of eternal value and can ingrain in people character and love towards all living beings. It is a rich heritage and should be inculcated in all citizens. Because, ingraining these values in every individual through education is the solution to all the evils which the world including Bharata is now facing. The resurrection of these values can provide remedy for all the ills afflicting not only Bharata's National life but also the entire humanity. Hence, it is our duty to resurrect, protect and preserve "Dharmika Values" not only to safeguard national interest but also in the interest of humanity as a whole.
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />