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Eternal India
encyclopedia
PERCEPTIONS
DHARMA
(COSMIC LAWS)
What Is
Dharma
?
“What is dharma? Dhamia comes from
the root dhr, that which supports, In the
final analysis, what is it that supports
human consciousness? It is not wealth, it
is not position, it is not political power
howsoever important these may appear to
us. Ultimately, it is the divine conscious-
ness that supports us, that supports our
very existence. Therefore, Sri Krishna
urges us to give up all other supports and
come alone to him. Sri Krishna speaking
as the divine himself says....
‘I
will free you
from all sins. Do not fear' — ma sucah.
How much love there is in those two words
'fear not'. When a child is to go into a dark
room with the parent behind, the parent
says : 'Do not be afraid, I am here; go
ahead.' These words ma sucah in a way
sum up the entire message of the Gita. Let
us not be afraid, and let us give up all
lesser supports so that ultimately we get
the one true support, the only thing that
can support the growth and development
of the higher consciousness, the grace of
the divine.’’
—
Dr. Karan Singh
"Dharmo rakshati rakshata"
It is the
Dharma
which sustains
True Dharma constitutes justice for all,
progress for all, victory for all. Existence is
for all, not for some at the cost of others.
Upholding dharma, you are a winner without
anybody else being a loser.
—
Prabhushri
A Model Man or a Model of Man
That man no evil needs to fear,
To whom all other men are dear,
Who ne'er abuse in kind requites,
Nor struck, again the smiter smites.
Who neither fears, nor fear inspires,
Who nurses no unblest desires,
Who can himself endure neglects,
But pays to other all respects.
Who, though himself by want opprest,
Ne'er envies those by fortune blest,
Who even in straits, would scorn to lie,
And sooner, far, would dare to die.
And thus from every weakness freed,
Ne'er sins in thought, or word, or deed.
A model man, who nobly lives,
To all a bright example gives.
-Mahabharatha
There is also a cosmic man,
Who is not bound by any clan,
He is made of manas, anna and nirvana,
He is the hope for humanity's prana.
"Trikenu"
Bheeshma lying on the arrow bed and delivering discourse on
Dharmaacharan.
Dispassion is the shield and contentment
the sword.
Charity is the great axe; reason the fierce
lance.
Pure intelligence the strong bow.
Pure steady mind is the quiver.
Serenity, restraint, ordinances are the ar-
rows.
Worship of the Wise and the Preceptor is
the armour.
No other means like these are there for
victory.
Friend! Know such to be the Righteous
Chariot,
Having which there exists no enemy to be
won.
The mighty, invincible enemy is attachment
to the world.
Hero is he, who can conquer it.
Listen O friend with stout will,
One who has this Chariot conquers attach-
ment.
—
Tulsi Ramayana
Dharma-Ratha
Dharma
is the entirety of the Eternal Values
and
Ratha
is the Vehicle which upholds
them. Such should be the Vehicle which
the wise should value; not the physical one
which has merely euphoria.
The Blessed Lord says :
That vehicle which has courage and patience
for wheels;
Truth and Character are the flag and the
banner.
Strength, discrimination, self-control, be-
nevolence are the horses four
Controlled by the reins of forgiveness, com-
passion and equanimity.
Adoration of the Lord itself is the expert
charioteer.
“One exists because of Dharma, which is also
synonymous with law, principle, Truth and
righteousness. In short, Dharma is that which
holds together. When you establish and go
according to Dharma, you progress, enchance
and expand. And when you break the Dharma,
you disintegrate and degrade.
If you uphold Dharma, then at any critical
moment, in any crisis, it will uphold you so much
that you will think that God was taking you on His
palm throughout. ”
— Prabhushri