Religion has always been a topic of debate around the globe for many centuries. Belief system of almost all ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Sindhu-Saraswati, Chinese and Greece was to worship deities, nature or animals. Many of these civilizations were either destroyed by natural calamities or were metamorphosed into religions for power and politics. Even after several hindrance and adverse conditions, our Sanatani samskiti is still thriving since very long. In Bhartiya samskriti and philosophical context, the term “Religion” doesn’t appear as it exists in Abrahamic faiths. Our samskriti believe in “Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” which means “there is only one truth (or true being) and learned persons call it by different names”.
There are different ways of life in different forms in our country. Bharat is the country were all these different ways of living (panth, mata and sampradayas) originated. Later, invaders (or foreigners) called these different ways of life as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Although, Hindu Dharma is our identity and pride, but it should not be described as a religion similar to other faiths, especially Abrahamic one. Religion is a belief system, usually with practices, and is concerned with personal devotion. On other hand, Dharma is a way of living and ultimate goal being salvation or betterment of society and universe. This approach makes dharma different form religion. Therefore, we Bhartiya believe in dharma but not in religion.
Religion is considered an alien or an imported word to Bhartiya society and popularized by vested interest people. Bhartiya samskriti always believed in Dharma and Karma. Karma is the outcome of our actions, while dharma guarantees that those actions are morally and ethically correct. Karma is about the consequences of one’s actions or choices, while Dharma is about what is right and what right has to be done. The word Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhri’ which means to hold something or to support. Bharatiya Rishis have written extensively about Dharma and described its features. According to Valmiki Ramayana forgiveness is the main characteristics of dharma. Forgiveness is charity, forgiveness is truth, forgiveness is sacrifice. Forgiveness is fame, forgiveness is Dharma, in fact this world is completely surrounded by forgiveness.
1. क्षमा दानं क्षमा सत्यं क्षमा यज्ञश्च पुत्रिकाः। क्षमा यशः क्षमा धर्मः क्षमयाविष्टितं जगत्॥ (संदर्भ: वाल्मीकि रामायण)
2. अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रह:। दानं दमो दया शान्ति: सर्वेषां धर्मसाधनम्।। (संदर्भ: याज्ञवल्क्य स्मृति १.१२२)
3. अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धि-र्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः। दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्-त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्। दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम्
(संदर्भ: श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता, षोडश अध्याय)
As per Yajnavalakya smriti, there are nine (09) features of dharma. Non-violence, truth, non-stealing (asteya), defecation (cleanliness), indriya-nigraha (controlling the senses), charity, restraint (control), kindness and peace. Vidur, the great personality of Mahabharata, has given eight features of dharma- Ijya (sacrifice, worship etc.), study, charity, penance, truth, mercy, forgiveness and greed. The qualities adopted by the Digambara followers of Jainism in the ideal state are called Dasalakshan Dharma. According to this, ten features of Dharmas are- forgiveness, kindness, honesty, truth, cleanliness, self-restraint, penance, renunciation, poverty and celibacy. These are considered key to happiness and peace in life, and every human being should follow these.
Recently, The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (18 chapters, 700 verses) has been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Dharma is the term used in the Bhagavad Gita to describe duty, righteousness, and the fundamental nature of things. It serves as a compass for leading a moral life, carrying out one’s responsibilities, and achieving spiritual enlightenment. The Gita highlights that dharma differs according to each person’s situation, duties, and tasks (called Svadharma). Svadharma is a notion that highlights how each person’s dharma is unique to their function and circumstances. To keep the world peaceful and in order, one must uphold dharma. According to the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 16, Daivi Smapt), personal qualities such as truthfulness (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), forgiveness, compassion, purity, self-control, and steadfastness are said to be the foundation of dharma.
After seeing these different features of dharma in Bhartiya texts, we may derive that dharma is a changeable word that changes its characteristics with the person’s role, age, times, and situations. In a pandemic or epidemic situation, dharma of a nation is to protect the lives of its citizens even by withdrawing their fundamental rights. Since the right to life cannot be above any other rights. In a war or adverse condition, dharma of the citizens is to firmly stand by their countries. Dharma for a king is to ensure equal justice to its subjects. Dharma for a soldier is to fight in a war. Dharma for a doctor is to treat the patients. Dharma for a teacher is to impart knowledge to all the students. Dharma for a politician is to serve the people. Dharma for a society is to stand against injustice. Similarly, fair treatment of people by authorities holding prominent position should also be considered as their dharma. As a citizen, to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of Bharat, and to discharge our duties faithfully and consciously is also dharma.
The recent attacks on Hindus in different parts of Bharat is essentially a conflict between Dharma and religion. A religion that believes in Ummah and Kafir cannot have same sentiments for other beliefs in a country, for her people and for her samskriti in true sense. On April 22, terrorist attack near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, killed many Hindus when they were unable to recite Kalima. Hindu men were killed in front of their families. Pahalgam attack certifies the fanaticism of a religion where Hindus were brutally murdered just after revealing their dharmic identity. You are shot dead if you are Kafir (non-believer of allah). People were even forced to remove their trousers for identifying whether they are circumcised or not. We have reached a state when, Hindus are not safe our own country due to a hostility created by a religion (which is not dharma) both from inside of the country and across the border. Without help and recce done by insiders, terrorist attack on people in the daylight would not be possible in that area.
Now, the time has come for us to stand against this by responding strongly against these. The culprits, their masterminds should be punished as soon as possible and this Rakshasa mentality should be crushed. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam should not be considered our weakness. Our dharma is to challenge this fanaticism and act as strongly as we never did before. Van Parv of Mahabharata says, धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः, which means, the one who destroys dharma, dharma destroys them. Now as a proud Rastra, our dharma is to ensure justice to the families of those who lost their loved ones. Government has already taken some measures to respond and we believe some more strict decision will be taken in near future.
The shloka below describes dharma in a true sense.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥
The above text has been cited from Srimad Bhgavad Gita which says, O descendant of Bharata “Whenever and wherever there is a decline in dharma and there is a rise of adharma, at that time I manifest myself to save humanity”. Here, the meaning of dharma has been said to stand against injustice. Its time for us also to not let this kind of cowardly act happen again.
Finally, we can say that the meaning of Dharma is duty. Dharma guides us so that we can achieve our goals. The moral rule which is now called the ‘Golden Rule’ or ‘Ethics of Reciprocity’ has been recognized in Bharat since ancient times. In Sanatan Dharma, it has been called ‘Dharmasarvasvam’ (i.e. everything of dharma). Listen to what is the essence of dharma, and after listening, follow it. One should not behave with others in a way which is against oneself.
श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वस्वं श्रुत्वा चाप्यवधार्यताम्।
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत्।। (पद्मपुराण)
