What is our dharma?

[1]

Swami Tejomayananda [1]

The word dharma has been translated variously as “righteousness”, “duty”, “inner disposition” and even as “religion”. But it is not until we go to the linguistic origin of the word that we discover the deeper significance of this word. The verbal root dhr means “to uphold”, or “to sustain”. Dhr also means “to integrate”.
Dhaarayate iti dharma — dharma is that which sustains and also that which integrates. Thus, the true meaning of dharma is the essential nature of a thing, without which it ceases to be. For instance, the dharma of the sun, moon, water, air, fire and earth are eternal. Fire is always hot, the sun gives light and heat, and water is always wet. The entire world is sustained because all these elements follow their dharma. Similarly, all the animals and birds abide by their essential nature, their basic instincts. Nature on her own would be fine; it is man who breaks all of her rules, destroying others as well as himself in the process. Therefore, it is important that man follows his true dharma.
But what is our true dharma? Man is believed to be a social animal, therefore it becomes his duty to uphold and integrate the society which will automatically result in prosperity for all. We can live to our fullest potential only if we practice dharma at all levels: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. We need to make sure that all our actions contribute toward the sustenance and integration of society, and avoid actions that go against the natural laws, which is called adharma.
At the physical level, dharma is that which nourishes and supports the health of the body. Whether we want to serve others, obtain liberation, or even enjoy life in this world, we need a healthy body. It is the primary tool for achieving our goals in life. But our body can only be healthy if our life is disciplined. Proper sleep, healthy eating, exercise and cleanliness all contribute to good health. Therefore, practicing these are all acts of dharma. To exercise when we have a fever or to eat spicy food when we have an ulcer would be considered adharma because they can be harmful. So this clarifies that no particular action in itself can be called dharmika or adharmika.
At the mental level we all want to be peaceful and happy. Therefore, to think in a loving way is dharma and to think negatively of some­one is adharma because it will dist­urb our personality and can also cause harm to the other person. The same rule applies intellectually. We all want enlightenment and knowledge and do not want to be ignorant or exploited because of our ignorance. Independence and freedom are our inherent desires.
We want freedom from sorrow, freedom from fear and grief, and most importantly freedom from delusion. Knowledge helps us attain the understanding that frees us from any dependence.
But in the process of trying to be free we become slaves to the very things that we thought would make us happy and due to ignorance we do not even realise that. Therefore, knowledge and enlightenment are dharma and ignorance is adharma.
Any action at the individual as well as at the communal level that integrates and brings prosperity to all is considered to be dharmika. Dharma is not opposed to gaining wealth or affluence. In fact, proper application of dharma by all will lead to greater prosperity in the society. Everyone will be happy, and everyone’s personality will unfold and progress towards attaining liberation.
Therefore we must know that dharma is not a particular action, but that which contributes to the integration of all. This is what is known as “absolute good”. But is there such a thing as absolute good?
The answer is that good and bad are only relative. For example, sugar is not good for a diabetic but one with low blood sugar may actually benefit from it. Therefore, whether sugar is good or bad for one’s health is relative. But whatever promotes health and greater integration is called dharma. The absolute good is the maintenance of health. Everyone wants to be healthy. Even those who indulge in harmful habits still want good health. Therefore, that which everyone desires is known as the absolute good.

— Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya
Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller. To find out more about Chinmaya Mission and Swamiji, visit www.chinmayamission.com [2].
© Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.