Dharma

Shri Krishna rolled out the process of Kali Yuga by committing fraud, through his evil designs, well-designed fraudulent acts.  When Bhima was almost loosing the fight during GadaYuddha with Duryodhana, Shri Krishna, the Lord of the universe, indicated that Bhima should hit Duryodhana at his thigh. Lord Krishna knew that this is the only weakest part of Duryodhana. Therefore, no matter how hard he is hit, Duryodhana cannot be defeated or killed. Duryodhana was walking full monti to meet his mother Gandhari to receive the boon to be invincible. He was instruckted by his mother to come naked. However, Shri Krishna interfered and suggested Duryodhana to just to cover his waist-line to meet Gandhari.

Bhima hit Duryodhana at the thigh hard and Duryodhana was defeated. Lord Krishna told Balarama, “Come to know that this is very much the onset of Kali Yuga. This age will be dominated by fraudulent forces, crime, evil acts and the like. Dharma or virtuous deeds will take a long break”.  

Dharma and Karma are very closely intertwined. Even Lord Krishna could not escape its effect, effects of his evil designs and fraud. It is just not possible to avoid the consequences of Karma. Gandhari, a mother who lost all her 100 sons, cursed Shri Krishna, “May all of your clan comes to a finish!”  Entire Yadava Kula was perished. Kali Yuga started to spread its sinful tentacles.

Dharma— (Dharyate iti dharmah), that which is worth adhering to is called Dharma. It outlines principles of Karma. What act a human being is supposed to perform. Conversely, what one should not. It generally or mostly takes care of people, animals and environment around. Because there is nothing called as personal Karma. All individual Karma essentially influences all things, animals and people around. Therefore, there are guidelines, tentative dos and don’ts. There is no perfect list.  It is not possible. Since, most often circumstances and position of a person decides the code of Karma.

Through a long lecture, Lord Krishna ‘inspires’ Arjuna to kill his grand-father, cousins, Guru and many other relatives and friends. This is the duty (special Karma, or Dharma) of a Kshatriya in a battlefield. Shri Krishna never ever suggested Arjuna to kill or harm anyone outside this context. In fact, Lord Krishna as a clever diplomat and an ambassador of peace tried all his best to settle the dispute between two families. He put all his efforts to avoid the bloody war. He failed miserably. (This is a lesson. Even our best efforts may not produce results accordingly).

How do the Shastras outline Dharma?   

Righteous deeds are Dharma. That is how the Shastras talk about.

‘Dashakam dharma-lakshanam’ : this list is famous.

Dhrti-kśamá-- damo’steyaḿ-shaocamendriya- nigrahah,
Dhiirvidyásatyamakro- dho dashakaḿ dharmalakśańam.

Different texts have different lists of dos and don’ts. There is no uniformity. Yes, there are some common factors. The most common value is truthfulness (Satya).

For example, Yoga of Patanjali has: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacarya and Aprigraha. These are moral and ethical conducts.    

Different Niti-Shatras have a different codes of conduct.

Dharma often stands for intrinsic nature, tendency, or inclination (Pravritti). A scorpion has a natural tendency to bite.

Dharma of the Sun is to rotate (Karma of the sun) and give heat. Here Dharma is quality (Guna). Heat is the quality of the sun. Water is cold (Guna). Water flows (Karma) downwards.       

Often Dharma means religion or religious activities. 

Rita and Dharma is the Rig-Veda: ‘O Indra! Lead us on the path of Rita, on the right path over all evils!’ (Rig-Veda 10.133.6). In the Rig-Veda Rita (the highest spiritual Truth) is equated with Dharma, an antidote to evils.

Manushya Dharma.  A human being is supposed to follow his conscience while treating fellow human beings. Hence, love, compassion etc. are cultivated. It is also known as Sva-Dharma.

Rashtra Dharma. As a denizen of a state, each citizen is expected to be loyal and patriotic.  

Apad-Dharma. To save the life of a deer, a hunter is misdirected by telling lies. However, one is supposed to speak the truth.

Dharma as duty: A soldier in the warfront is duty-bound to eliminate an enemy soldier. Even though killing of a human being is not wanted.

Yuga-Dharma: Sometimes, values keep on changing as per demand of time.

Adharma: exclusion of Dharma. Unwanted, unethical Karma.