Eternal India Encyclopedia

PERCEPTIONS

Eternal India encyclopedia

DHARMA (COSMIC LAWS)

"Dharmo rakshati rakshata" It is the Dharma which sustains

What Is Dharma ? “What is dharma? Dhamia comes from the root dhr, that which supports, In the final analysis, what is it that supports human consciousness? It is not wealth, it is not position, it is not political power howsoever important these may appear to us. Ultimately, it is the divine conscious- ness that supports us, that supports our very existence. Therefore, Sri Krishna urges us to give up all other supports and come alone to him. Sri Krishna speaking as the divine himself says.... ‘I will free you from all sins. Do not fear' — ma sucah. How much love there is in those two words 'fear not'. When a child is to go into a dark room with the parent behind, the parent says : 'Do not be afraid, I am here; go ahead.' These words ma sucah in a way sum up the entire message of the Gita. Let us not be afraid, and let us give up all lesser supports so that ultimately we get the one true support, the only thing that can support the growth and development of the higher consciousness, the grace of the divine.’’ — Dr. Karan Singh True Dharma constitutes justice for all, progress for all, victory for all. Existence is for all, not for some at the cost of others. Upholding dharma, you are a winner without anybody else being a loser. — Prabhushri

Bheeshma lying on the arrow bed and delivering discourse on Dharmaacharan.

Dispassion is the shield and contentment the sword. Charity is the great axe; reason the fierce lance. Pure intelligence the strong bow. Pure steady mind is the quiver. Serenity, restraint, ordinances are the ar- rows. Worship of the Wise and the Preceptor is the armour. No other means like these are there for victory. Friend! Know such to be the Righteous Chariot, Having which there exists no enemy to be won. The mighty, invincible enemy is attachment to the world. Hero is he, who can conquer it. Listen O friend with stout will, One who has this Chariot conquers attach- ment. — Tulsi Ramayana “One exists because of Dharma, which is also synonymous with law, principle, Truth and righteousness. In short, Dharma is that which holds together. When you establish and go according to Dharma, you progress, enchance and expand. And when you break the Dharma, you disintegrate and degrade. If you uphold Dharma, then at any critical moment, in any crisis, it will uphold you so much that you will think that God was taking you on His palm throughout. ” — Prabhushri

A Model Man or a Model of Man That man no evil needs to fear, To whom all other men are dear, Who ne'er abuse in kind requites,

Nor struck, again the smiter smites. Who neither fears, nor fear inspires,

Who nurses no unblest desires, Who can himself endure neglects, But pays to other all respects.

Dharma-Ratha Dharma is the entirety of the Eternal Values and Ratha is the Vehicle which upholds them. Such should be the Vehicle which the wise should value; not the physical one which has merely euphoria. The Blessed Lord says : That vehicle which has courage and patience for wheels; Truth and Character are the flag and the banner. Strength, discrimination, self-control, be- nevolence are the horses four Controlled by the reins of forgiveness, com- passion and equanimity. Adoration of the Lord itself is the expert charioteer.

Who, though himself by want opprest, Ne'er envies those by fortune blest, Who even in straits, would scorn to lie, And sooner, far, would dare to die. And thus from every weakness freed, Ne'er sins in thought, or word, or deed.

A model man, who nobly lives, To all a bright example gives.

-Mahabharatha

There is also a cosmic man, Who is not bound by any clan, He is made of manas, anna and nirvana, He is the hope for humanity's prana. "Trikenu"