What is Dharma?

[chinu]

Could we take our fun to PMs. It might not be very interesting for other members here.

What made you to think that its fun for me ? of course we can take that to PM's, but am serious its not fun for me.

 

[Jainarayan]

Fourth Level - Personal Dharma, called Svadharma. This is right down to the individual, and is what each individual's calling is. So questions like, 'What occupation is best for me?" are in this level.

I'm late to the party, as usual, but I'd just like to interject that svadharma could go way beyond career, occupation, or vocation. It could include having to take care of an elderly parent or relative, one's special needs child, animal rescue. People may complain about certain duties in their lives, like caring for that sick or elderly person, but maybe it is their dharma. I take a verse from the Bhagavad Gītā 3.9: “In this world all actions, unless they are done as an offering to God, become causes of bondage. Therefore, work for the sake of God without personal attachments.” I think if one thinks of it that way, it makes the feeling of life much more worthwhile.

 

[Sumit]

What is Dharma?

Dharma is that which leads to mokesh.

 

[Vinayaka]

I'm late to the party, as usual, but I'd just like to interject that svadharma could go way beyond career, occupation, or vocation. It could include having to take care of an elderly parent or relative, one's special needs child, animal rescue. People may complain about certain duties in their lives, like caring for that sick or elderly person, but maybe it is their dharma. I take a verse from the Bhagavad Gītā 3.9: “In this world all actions, unless they are done as an offering to God, become causes of bondage. Therefore, work for the sake of God without personal attachments.” I think if one thinks of it that way, it makes the feeling of life much more worthwhile.

I agree.

 

[atanu]

Dharma, etymologically, means that which holds-supports and thus is an aspect of Rta-Cosmic law.

Below are a few points that may add value.

From Shri Sivananda's "All about Hinduism".

Dharma can be classified under two heads: (i) Samanya or the general, universal Dharma and (ii) Visesha or the specific, personal Dharma. Contentment, forgiveness, self-restraint, non-stealing, purity, control of senses, discrimination between right and wrong, between the real and the unreal, spiritual knowledge, truthfulness and absence of anger come under the general or universal Dharma. Special rules of life are specific Dharmas.

Maharshi Jaimini defines Dharma as that which is enjoined by the Vedas and is not ultimately productive of suffering.

Rishi Kanada, founder of the Vaiseshika system of philosophy, has given the following definition of Dharma, in his Vaiseshika Sutras: “Yato-bhyudayanihsreyasa-siddhih sa dharmah.” “That which leads to the attainment of Abhyudaya (prosperity in this world) and Nihsreyasa (total cessation of pain and attainment of eternal bliss hereafter) is dharma.

The four Vedas, the Smriti texts, the behaviour of those who have entered into their spirit and act according to their injunctions, the conduct of holy men and satisfaction of one’s own self—these are the bases of Dharma, according to Manu.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

I asked my mother, what is Dharmah?
She said to be a good mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend

I asked my father, what is Dharmah?
He said to be a good father, brother, son, husband,friend

I asked my brother, what is Dharmah?
He said to be a good brother, father, son, husband,friend

I asked my wife, what is Dharmah?
she said to be a good mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend.

I asked my self the same question, but i already had my answers.

But then i asked my son, what is Dharmah?

He said, gagagogo, dadamumum, up. (he is 18 months young)..lol

 

[ShivaFan]

I asked my mother, what is Dharmah?
She said to be a good mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend

I asked my father, what is Dharmah?
He said to be a good father, brother, son, husband,friend

I asked my brother, what is Dharmah?
He said to be a good brother, father, son, husband,friend

I asked my wife, what is Dharmah?
she said to be a good mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend.

I asked my self the same question, but i already had my answers.

But then i asked my son, what is Dharmah?

He said, gagagogo, dadamumum, up. (he is 18 months young)..lol

Jai Dharma!

 

[zenzero]

Friends,

what is dharma?

Personally understand dharma to be 'law'.
Law of nature.
We humans too are part of nature and the law of nature is to be in harmony with the whole/consciousness; so whatever is done in accordance to be in harmony is dharma.

Love & rgds

 

[chinu]

Dharma is that which leads to mokesh.

Agreed 100%

Neither there will be any world, nor there will be any duty or formality.
Neither there will be any bamboo, nor there will be any sound of flute.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Dharma is that which leads to mokesh.

What is Mokesh? Moksha?

@ Satyamevajayanti: Nice definition.

 

[chinu]

What is Mokesh?

According to me.. Moksha means re-union with from where we-all/everything started journey of life in the beginning.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Well, the journey of life begins in mother's womb.

 

[chinu]

Well, the journey of life begins in mother's womb.

Since ages before, the first mother was God.

 

[Vinayaka]

According to me.. Moksha means re-union with from where we-all/everything started journey of life in the beginning.

My understanding is that moksha simply means 'freedom from rebirth' and would be an outcome of what you describer above, which I agree with. In my case it's called 'merging with Shiva.'

 

[Sb1995]

Moksha is the escape from the cycle of rebirths. Hindus believe that the cycle of reincarnation continuously occurs from one life to the next until one fulfils their karma and then they achieve moksha which is the exit from the cycle of rebirths and become one with Brahma.

 

[zenzero]

Friends,

Yes most of us here understand 'freedom from rebirths/moksha/enlightenment/etc.
However those familiar with scriotures would like them to share if they have come across anything to inform what lies after this.
The reason is that Nothing is created nor destroyed only forms changes and personally feel that evolution has led to its highest stage in humans meaning forms which evolved from a single cell as form to the human stage and now evolution takes it to a higher circle which should be formless. [this is only a personal understanding] and so would like knowledgeable individuals of the scriptures could share if there is any mention of life after MOKSHA.

Love & rgds

 

[Aupmanyav]

You mean we might be able to change form? We already do that. Or you mean change form at will? That too is possible but I do not think medical science is advanced to that extent.

After Moksha - Stay in heaven eternally singing praises of God, same as in other religions, or would you like to merge with God/Brahman. That too is possible.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Aupmanyav,

Can understand that you 'contemplate' on various subjects including this one.
Personally requested if there is anything in the scriptures or spoken by enlightened people on the subject.

Do you know anything from scriptures on the subject??

Love & rgds

 

[Vinayaka]

My understanding is that the soul continues to evolve after moksha until there is a final merger, water into water.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Vinayaka,

water into water.

Water evaporates to become vapour and condenses back to water and freezes to become ice and melts to come back to its original form.

The question was is there anything in the scriptures which speaks about any form of existence after samadhi??

Love & rgds