At the root of all four Purusharthas (the four aims of human life — Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha) lies Dharma.
In Part 1, we will briefly understand what “Dharma” truly means, and in Part 2, we will explore all four Purusharthas — Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (collectively called Purushartha Chatushtaya).
The definition of Dharma is — that which can be upheld, sustained, or practiced.
That by which something is sustained is its Dharma.
For example — the Dharma of fire is heat, and the Dharma of water is coolness.
In other words —That which is worthy of being upheld or practiced is Dharma.
For example — killing other living beings for taste, faith or selfish reasons is not worthy of being upheld, hence it is Adharma (unrighteousness); whereas non-violence (Ahimsa) is worthy of being upheld, hence it is Dharma.That which is an irrefutable truth is Dharma.
Such truths cannot be denied neither can be challenged — like the laws of nature. For example, an apple tree will always bear apples, not berries or grapes — this is the Dharma (inherent nature) of the apple tree.
Dharma means the laws of nature — those that are universal and applicable to the entire world.
In other words, Dharma means – the laws of nature.
These laws of nature are created by Nature itself or by God, not by human beings — and no one has the power to alter them.
The laws of nature apply equally to all, regardless of any faith, sect, or creed.
Therefore, Dharma — being the eternal law of nature — cannot be created or modified according to one’s convenience or selfish motives.
Hence, there is no synonym for the word “Dharma.”
Hence, no faith, sect, ideology, or community can be called “Dharma,” because they are man-made and imaginary (conceptual).
They also do not qualify as Dharma because many of their principles are not worthy of being upheld.
Why is it important to follow “the laws of nature,” – Dharma”?
To live a happy and healthy life.
Because the laws of Dharma were created by God with the well-being of all living beings in mind.
Because the laws of Dharma are not made out of attachment, hatred, enmity, or favoritism toward anyone.
The great sage and first King of the world Maharaj Manu described ten characteristics or duties of Dharma, which are essential for peace, happiness, and prosperity :
Verse:
Dhritih Kshamaa Damo’steyam Shaucham Indriya Nigrahah |
Dheer Vidyaa Satyam Akrodho Dashakam Dharma Lakshanam || (Manu Smriti)
Meaning:
Dhriti – Patience and perseverance
Kshama – Forgiveness or tolerance
Dama – Control over one’s senses
Asteya – Abstaining from theft, deceit, or dishonesty
Shaucha – Purity of body and mind
Indriya Nigraha – Restraint over sensual desires
Dhee – Wisdom and right understanding
Vidya – True knowledge
Satya – Adherence to truth
Akrodha – Freedom from anger
That alone is true Dharma in which these ten qualities are present — where all these virtues are harmoniously embodied.
Only Dharma is Sanatan (eternal)! The Sanatan Dharma”?
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Shri Krishna explains the reasons for His divine incarnations —
Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya glaanir bhavati Bhaarata,
Abhyutthaanam adharmasya tadaatmaanam srijaamyaham. ॥4–7॥
Paritraanaaya saadhoonaam vinaashaaya cha dushkritaam,
Dharmasansthaapanaarthaaya sambhavaami yuge yuge. ॥4–8॥
– to protect the righteous (sadhus), to destroy the wicked (adharmis), and to re-establish Dharma.
When He speaks of the establishment of Dharma, He refers to that one eternal Dharma — not a new one, but the same Sanatan (eternal) Dharma that has existed since time immemorial.
If Dharma is one, then why was the word “Sanatan” (eternal) later added, and why do we now call it “Sanatan Dharma”?
Approximately 2000 years ago, there was only one Dharma in the entire world — the Dharma that followed the Vedas.
But as new sects, creeds, and religions began to emerge (as happens in every Kaliyuga), people driven by the desire for power, wealth, fame, and recognition wanted to appear distinct and increase their following by any means.
In that process, they started calling their sects or creeds “Dharma” as well.
At that time, the simplest word found for “Dharma” in linguistic translation was “Religion.”
Thus, over time, people began to mistakenly believe that “Religion” and “Dharma” mean the same thing — though in reality, they are not synonymous at all (as mentioned earlier “there is no synonym for the word ‘Dharma’ “).
Everything other than Dharma is Adharma — A business
If Dharma is one, then why was the word “Sanatan” (eternal) later added, and why is it today called “Sanatan Dharma”?
To understand this important truth, let us look at a few examples:
A cow was once simply called a cow.
But when an artificial breed called the Jersey cow was introduced — which looked somewhat similar to a cow and produced more milk, but whose milk was of inferior quality and harmful to health compared to the real cow’s milk —
then the real cow began to be called the “Desi Cow” (native cow).
In exactly the same way, when newer faiths, sects started adding Dharma as suffix after their sect / faiths, The Original Dharma came to be known as “Sanatan Dharma.”Similarly, Ghee (clarified butter) made from real cow’s milk was originally called just “Ghee.”
But when products like vanaspati ghee (Vegetable Ghee) and other substitutes entered the market, people started calling the real one “Desi Ghee.”
Before that, Ghee was naturally understood to mean pure ghee derived from milk.
Great Loss to Those Who Abandon Sanatan Dharma for Other Faiths, Sects, or Paths!
All the principles of Sanatan Dharma are irrefutable and eternal truths.
When other sects or paths separated from Sanatan Dharma, they distanced themselves from its fundamental and divine principles, meaning — they rejected the laws of nature and instead created imaginary, man-made rules.
As a result, we now witness the consequences — Adharma (unrighteousness), violence, cruelty, and chaos prevailing throughout the world.
The Vedas clearly declare — in the very words of God Himself — that following the Vedas alone is Dharma, and anything apart from them is Adharma.
When one disregards the Vedas and acts according to one’s own imagination — creating new sects and ideologies — it only leads to disorder, suffering, and unrest, which is exactly what we see across the world today.
During one’s lifetime, a person may not realize the harm caused by abandoning Dharma, but after death, the truth of Sanatan Dharma becomes evident.
Those who forsake Dharma face great misery after death — as described in the scriptures.
There are even documented instances where souls trapped in the spirit realm (preta-yoni) have appeared before realized saints and pleaded for liberation.
The final rites (antyeshti) must be performed according to Vedic tradition; otherwise, the soul may have to wander for thousands of years in the preta-yoni, which is a state of immense suffering.
A famous example is from the life of Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar Ji, the first editor of Gita Press, a great devotee of God and a God-realized saintly being.
It is said that a spirit (preta) once appeared before him, gave its true name and address, and confessed that it had been a Parsi in its human life.
Videos about this incident are even available on YouTube today.
That spirit revealed many truths to Hanuman Prasad Ji, which confirmed the authenticity of Sanatan Dharma’s rules, rituals, and prohibitions as prescribed in the Vedas.
References:
- Bhartiya Chintan Parampara me Dharma- A book by Dr ShivShankar Mishr, Published by : Eastern Book Linkers New Chandrval, Jawahar Nagar Delhi.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUVkKphQLNI,
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM1xUT7UIkY&t=384s
- , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnEoJEmI_JM&t=131s,
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa58_9GsB_Y&t=542s
- https://www.vridhamma.org/discourses/The-True-Meaning-of-Dharma
- https://qr.ae/pCnK3M
- https://qr.ae/pCnKjL
