What is Dharma?

Dharma. 

Dharma is the moral, ethical, and spiritual foundation that sustains both the individual and the cosmic order. As the force of harmony in the universe, Dharma upholds the balance of life and nature. It teaches peaceful and friendly coexistence with all living beings, affirming that all are equal and move through different species in the continuous cycle of life. It teaches us that life is temporary, while the soul is eternal; that attachment leads to suffering, and detachment leads to peace. Ultimately, Dharma guides all beings toward their final destination — the attainment of God.

On the individual level, it is not limited to ritualistic practices or outward behavior—it signifies an inner commitment to truth, knowledge, compassion, purity, austerity, self-discipline, and devotion.

Sanatana - the Eternal Dharma, 

Founded by Parabrahma

Sanatana Dharma & Bhagavata Dharma 

Sanatana Dharma represents the eternal, essential order and duties for all souls, while Bhagavata Dharma highlights loving devotion to the Supreme Being as the highest aspect and fulfillment of that eternal dharma. Both concepts are deeply connected, but Bhagavata Dharma gives particular focus to devotional spirituality.

The Eternal Dharma

(Sanatana Dharma)

 

From timeless depths, before all name,

A Truth divine through ages came.

No prophet’s birth, no mortal hand,

But Brahman’s will across the land.

From That arose the path of right,

The flame that feeds all lesser light;

All creeds that bloom in their own way,

Drink from Its light, and bless the day.

Though forms may change and voices part,

The root abides — one cosmic heart.

Sanatana, the eternal, primal Law,

In Thee all faiths their vision saw.

 (Brahman = Supreme soul)

☆

The Upholding of Dharma

All ask me, “Where have you learned?”

I reply, “From whatever I have seen

from there I have learned.”

Rama came and performed his duty;

Krishna too acted likewise.

Tell me without action, without duty,

how can my Dharma be truly earned?

★

Bhāgavata Dharma 

(The Eternal Way)

Dwell ever in the holy place,

Eat vegetarian food with grace;

With every act of heart and mind,

Be offered to the Lord divine.

With faith and love the Lord adore,

With faith and love keep sacred lore;

Through selfless work and constant prayer,

Behold the Lord abiding there.

Perform thy duty, calm and free,

Let no desire imprison thee;

In truth remain, in virtue stand,

And hold His presence close at hand.

The hidden truth the sages show,

Can cleanse the heart and still all woe;

Who sees the Lord in all that lives,

Finds peace that His vision gives.

This is the path supremely blest,

The purest way, the holiest quest;

The secret light, the boundless balm—

Bhāgavata Truth—eternal calm.

💔

The Conflict of Faiths

In lands of many creeds and prayers,  

Each claims the truth beyond compares.  

Each heart would crown its faith divine,  

And dim the others’ radiant sacred shine.  

Thus pride of faith, though born of zeal,  

Turns peace to strife, and love to steel.  

When truth is seen in every wise face,  

Then faith shall bloom in peace and grace.

 धर्म ।

यः स्वयंसत्यः स्वयंसम्पूर्णः स्वयंसिद्धो निरामयः।  

स्वातन्त्र्येण स्थितः नित्यात्मा धारयितुं स योग्यः॥

यः सत्यं धृतिं अक्षोभ्यां क्षमां संयममेव च।  

शास्त्रज्ञानुसारं स एव धर्म इति कथ्यते॥

In brief

यः स्वयंसत्यः, स्वयंसम्पूर्णः, स्वयंसिद्धः,

स्वातन्त्र्येण स्थितः स एव धर्म इति कथ्यते।

or (Hindi)

स्वयं सत्य, स्वयं सिद्ध, निरोग और स्वतंत्र,

धैर्य, क्षमा, संयम से पूर्ण — यही धर्म।

☆

धर्मं-अधर्मं

यो धर्मं रक्षति, धर्मः तं रक्षति।

यो अधर्मं रक्षति, धर्मः तं नाशयति।

यो धर्ममाश्रयति, धर्मः तस्मै आश्रयं ददाति।

यो अधर्मं पालनं करोति, धर्मः तं नाशयति।

धर्मस्य सर्वदा जयः भवति, अधर्मस्य पराजयः भवति।

एतदेव सनातनधर्मस्य नित्यं शाश्वतं च अविनश्वरं नीति।

★

धर्मफल-न्यायःनीति।

यत् धर्मः तत् फलम् — एषा श्रेष्ठा नीति।

अधिकफलाभिलाषः एव महा-दुर्नीति।

अभ्यस्तः पापी, अभ्यस्तः अपराधी,

दयायाः अयोग्यः, दण्डस्य अधिकारी॥

★

Where Religion Breathes

Religion breathes where love is sown,

Where mercy walks, the divine is known.

When cruelty enters through the holy gate,

Religion mourns, its purity and sanctity laid to waste.

When compassion wanes, the hymns grow cold,

A faith once pure grows harsh and cold.

No prayer can bloom where hatred dwells,

No truth resounds through bloodied bells.

When brutality wears the mask of name,

Its purity and sanctity dissolve in shame.

Religion breathes where love is sown,

Where mercy walks, the divine is known.

But when the heart forgets the kind,

Pure faith and sanctity are left behind.

★

The Law Beyond the Law

The Creator molds the cosmic clay,

The Preserver guards by night and day;

The Protector shields through dark and light,

And sets the wayward world aright.

When Dharma totters, weak and worn,

They rend its veil to have it reborn;

For Law itself, by Truth sustained,

Is mended best when Law is strained.

Thus stands the triad, wise and free —

Bound not by rule, but harmony;

For even God must sometimes break,

That purer order may awake.

★

The True Dharma & True teacher

Where God’s own essence is unknown,

No Dharma stands, no truth is sown.

Where liberation’s truth is spurned,

No Dharma blooms, no soul is earned.

The teacher blind to Dharma’s way,

Leads hearts astray, in night and day.

His path, his words, untrue, unwise,

Devoid of truth, where darkness lies.

★

According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.6):"The highest or supreme dharma of all human beings is that which leads to loving devotion (bhakti) toward the Supreme Lord, who is beyond material perception (Adhokṣaja).Such devotion must be selfless (ahaitukī) and uninterrupted (apratihatā).Only through this pure and unwavering devotion does the soul attain complete peace and true satisfaction."

According to the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Canto 7, Chapter 11, Verses 8–12), Nārada Muni outlines several characteristics of dharma, which form the foundation of righteous conduct (सदाचार). 

The Characteristics of Dharma (Right Conduct):

Truthfulness — upheld in thought, speech, and action.

Compassion — extended to all beings without exception.

Austerity — embracing simplicity and self-discipline.

Purity and cleanliness — both outward and inward.

Tolerance — in the face of adversity and difference.

Equality — free from all forms of discrimination.

Self-restraint and composure — including continence.

Non-violence — in deed, word, and intention.

Celibacy — observed with mindfulness and respect.

Generosity — giving freely, without seeking return.

Study of sacred texts — with reverence and reflection.

Sincerity — in all pursuits of truth and duty.

Contentment — dwelling in peace with what one has.

Service to the holy and the wise — offered with humility.

Gradual renunciation — of the unnecessary and the binding.

Gravitas — through silence and avoidance of idle speech.

Self-realization — through deep inner inquiry.

Sharing of food and drink — with all beings, in unity.

Seeing the Divine — in all, beyond outer form.

Control of the mind and senses

Remembrance of God — constant and heartfelt.

Devotion to the Divine through Navada Bhakti includes:

Shravanam – Listening to divine stories.

Kirtanam – Singing or chanting God's name.

Smaranam – Remembering God.

Padasevanam – Serving the feet of the Divine.

Archanam – Worshiping with rituals and offerings.

Vandanam – Offering obeisance and heartfelt prayers.

Dasyam – Serving as a humble servant of the Lord.

Sakhyam – Cultivating a deep friendship with God.

Atmanivedanam – Total self-surrender to the Divine.

These virtues are not just moral principles; they are the building blocks of dharmic living and are essential for spiritual evolution and social well-being. Practicing them leads to inner harmony, outer discipline, and alignment with the divine will.

Silence in unrighteousness.

Silence in unrighteousness is a sin,

It feeds the strength of those within.

The quiet witness, too, takes part in sin,

Both share the guilt in their soul & shine.

This truth endures through time and space,

This is the Eternal law none can erase.

★

निष्काम कर्म – संसार धर्म।

निष्कामं कर्म सदा सर्वदा मनः-निवेशेन कारय।

निष्कामं धर्मं सदा सर्वदा महा-आनन्देन आचर॥

ईश्वरे पूर्णं विश्वासं कारय, स्वयं तस्य दासं मनसि धारय।

सर्वेषु जीवेषु दयां कारय, दीन-दुःखितेभ्यः दानं कारय॥

नित्यं सर्वेषां सेवा कारय, संसार-धर्मं पूर्ण-रूपेण पालय।

सर्वाणि कर्माणि ईश्वराय अर्पय, सदा सर्वदा तं मनसि धारय॥

भागवतधर्मः

सदा पवित्रे स्थाने वासः शुद्धभोजनसेवनम्।

सर्वकर्माणि संकल्प्य तानि ईश्वराय समर्पितम्॥

भक्त्या श्रद्धया सहितं भगवतः पूजनं सदा।

भक्त्या श्रद्धया सहितं सर्वदैव उत्सवपालनम्॥

निष्कामकर्मसंपादनं भगवतः नित्यस्मरणम्।

निष्कामधर्मपालनं भगवतः नित्यमननम्॥

गूढं भागवततत्त्वं तु सर्वदुःखविनाशनम्।

यः सर्वेषु जीवेष्वेव ईश्वरं पश्यति सत्वरम्॥

एतदेव श्रेष्ठं धर्मं ईश्वरवर्णितं परमपवित्रम्।

गूढं भागवततत्त्वं तद् सर्वदुःखविनाशनम्॥

अनादि ईश्वरः स्वयं, सर्वेषां धर्मकारणम्।
अनादिर्भगवान् साक्षात्, धर्मस्यैव परं पदम्॥
★
धर्मो यत्र विभ्रान्तः, तत्र हिंसा प्रवर्तते।
धर्मो यत्र निर्व्रान्तः, तत्र शान्तिः प्रतिष्ठिता॥
★

धर्मो हि नित्यः स्वयमेव शुद्धः

रूपाणि भूत्वापि न मुञ्चति मूलम्।

युगे युगे सत्यमयः सत्त्वगुणः सततप्रवाहः

सत्ये स्थितो हि धर्मः ब्रह्म परम्॥

★

स्वधर्मं परित्यजति यः स अज्ञः,

परधर्मे नियोजयति स महामूढः।

★

धर्मः सत्यं च महास्थितिः,

 अगतेः एकमात्रका गतिः।

★

कुलरीति: कुलाचार: संकीर्णः निराधारः।

सनातनरीति: नीति: सर्वपरि सर्वाधारः॥

☆

धर्मो मित्रं भक्तस्य च, धर्मो मित्रं मृतस्यैव।

धर्मो हि परमं मित्रं, तिष्ठति स सदा सर्वत्र॥

★

स्वभावात् मोक्षस्य यात्रा।

स्वभावात् जायते कर्म,

कर्मणः जायते धर्मः।

सत्सङ्गेन परिवर्तते स्वभावः,

सत्सङ्गात् जायते ज्ञानम्॥

ज्ञानात् लभ्यते मोक्षः,

स मोक्षः परमं सुखम्॥

सत्यं प्रथमपादस्तु, शौचं द्वितीय उच्यते।

तृतीयो दयया युक्तः, चतुर्थः तपसा दृढः॥

एते चारुपादाश्चैव, धर्मस्तिष्ठति निश्चितम्।

यः पालयति धर्मं वै, स पालयति सर्वकम्॥

★

धर्मो मित्रं मृतस्यैव, धर्मो मित्रं भक्तस्य च।

धर्मो हि परमं मित्रं, तिष्ठति स सदा सर्वत्र ॥

★

सभी धर्मों का है सार एक,

सभी धर्मों का ईश्वर भी एक।

सभी मज़हबों में वही एक तत्व-ज्ञान —

सत्य, शांति, दया, प्रेम, ईश्वर का नाम।

धर्म-परिवर्तन है केवल अज्ञान,

जब भीतर न हो आत्म-तत्व ज्ञान।

★

धर्म परिवर्तन करने वाला होता है अज्ञानी,

धर्म परिवर्तन कराने वाला होता है महा अज्ञानी।

★

 १. दारिद्र्यदोषः

दारिद्र्येण कुलं विनश्यति,दारिद्र्यात् लज्जा विनश्यति।

लज्जानष्टे धर्मो नश्यति,धर्मे नष्टे सर्वं नश्यति॥

२. क्रोधदोषः

क्रोधात् बुद्धिर्विनश्यति, क्रोधात् धैर्यं विनश्यति।

बुद्धिनाशे कार्यनाशः, धैर्ये नष्टे हानिः ध्रुवम्॥

३. मोहदोषः

मोहो मूलं सर्वदुःखानां, मोहात् बुद्धिर्विनश्यति।

बुद्धिनाशे विवेको नश्ये‍त्, विवेकाभावे पतत्यधः॥

ज्ञानात् तु मोक्षः सिध्यति, तस्माज्ज्ञानं समाश्रयेत्॥

४. अहंकारदोषः

अहंकारे विनयः नश्यति, विनये नष्टे गुणा यान्ति।

गुणहीनः लोके निन्द्यः, त्यक्तो दुःखं सदा लभते॥

५. लोभदोषः

लोभात् धर्मो लुप्यते, लोभो नयति वै पतनाय।

लोभी न तृप्यति कदाचित्, तृप्तौ सुखं सदा परम्॥

६. अविद्यादोषः

अविद्यया भ्रमो जायते, भ्रमेण नश्यति सत्यम्।

सत्ये नष्टे दुःखं वर्धते, ज्ञानं तस्य विनाशकम्॥

धर्मपालनम्

सर्वे पृच्छन्ति मां धर्मं , “कुतः शिक्षितवान् भवान्?”

अहमुक्तवान्, यत्र दृष्टवानस्मि, तत्र तत्र शिक्षितवानहम्॥

रामोऽप्यागत्य कृतवान् कर्म, कृष्णोऽपि तदनु कृतवान्।

विना कर्मणा विनाऽपि कर्तव्यं, कथं मम धर्मसाधनम्?॥

☆

फलतृष्णा–तपविमर्शः

स्वप्नेषु सन्तः सुरसिंहासनस्थं

पश्यन्ति देवं तपसा हुताशे।

भीतानि दुःखानि विशुद्धिकारी

नेच्छन्ति लोकास्तमसावृतात्मानः॥

फलार्थिनः कण्टकबीजं विहाय

छायां वहन्त्यर्थदशानुगाम्।

यस्तु क्रमेण प्रभया हुताशे

ध्यायन् कृपां लभते निःस्वनामन्॥