The Ultimate Dharma

Dharma is the harmony of thought, word and deed. This is the mark of true humanness. Worship, study, charity, austerity, truth, forgiveness, compassion and freedom from greed, this is the eightfold path to Dharma.

The first four can also be performed by a hypocrite, but the last four can only exist in a great soul.

Dharma is Sanatana (eternal) and pervades all religions, because it comprises of all that is eternal and internal in a religion. A life in accordance of Dharma is a life in accordance of the laws of Nature and creation; hence it leads us towards evolution, development and everlasting bliss.

Dharma is our true place in the cosmic process: in time, in space, in awareness, in thought, deed and desire. The eternal principle of Dharma determines the harmonious functions of the cosmic machine. In order that we fulfill our role in the divine play we must behave within our Dharma. That is, we ought to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, and for the right reason. By this we attain balance. To establish balance within yourself ensures your own welfare as well as the welfare of society. It opens the path prepared for us by the divine.

Importance of Swadharma

 

One’s dharma differs from that of another person depending on one’s calling, place in the family, place in society, station in life and other circumstances. The Gits says:

स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।

It is better to die doing one’s own dharma than following परधर्म, that is, another man’s dharma. Following परधर्म may have frightening consequences. What is swadharma to a butcher cannot be swadharma to a brahmin and vice versa.

Srimad Bhagavata tells the story of dharma vyadha, a butcher by calling, who practiced his swadharma as a Karma Yogi would.  He did his allotted work in life with a detached mind and served his old parents with all his heart, seeing in them God incarnate.  By the practice of swadharma in this manner he became a highly evolved soul spiritually. He was considered competent to impart spiritual instruction to even a brahmin by birth. Such is the power of practicing swadharma in the right spirit, offering the fruits of one’s actions in loving devotion to the Lord.

 

The highest dharma according to Bhishma

 

In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira asks Bhishma Pitamaha “को धर्मः सर्वधर्माणां भवतः परमो मत:” “Which is the highest of all dharmas?” Bhishma replies:

एष मे सर्वधर्माणां धर्मोऽधिकतमो मतः।

यद्भक्त्या पुण्डरीकाक्षं स्तवैरर्चेन्नरस्सदा ॥

The highest dharma is to worship the lotus-eyed Lord vishnu with devotion by singing hymns in his praise’. This is perhaps the easiest dharma which can be practiced in this Kali Yuga.

 

Surrender to the Divine Will, the ultimate dharma

 

The final pronouncement on dharma comes from Lord Krishna Himself in the 18th chapter of the Gita:

अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥

O Arjuna ! leave aside all dharma and take refuge in me alone in total surrender. I shall free you from all sins, do not grieve.

By totally surrendering oneself to the Divine, one becomes truly an instrument of the Divine. Such a person is incapable of committing any sin.  All his actions become dharma. The Divine will works through him and he becomes one with the Divine. Such a human being goes beyond dharma and adharma and all his conflicts are resolved.