Dharma

Dharma is the moral path, the moral path is the light; the light is ananda (bliss). Dharma is characterized by holiness, peace, truth, and fortitude. Dharma is yoga, union or merger; it is satya (truth). Its attributes are justice, sense-control, sense of honor, love, dignity, goodness, meditation, sympathy, and nonviolence; such is the dharma that persists through the ages. It leads one on to universal love and unity. It is the highest discipline and the most profitable. All this ‘un-foldment’ began with Dharma; all this is stabilized by satya; satya is inseparable from dharma. Satya is the law of the universe, that makes the sun and moon revolve on their orbits. Dharma is the Vedas and the mantras, the jnana (knowledge) they convey. Dharma is the course, the path, and the law. Wherever there is adherence to morality. There one can see satya—dharma in action.

In all worldly activities, you should be careful not to wound propriety, or the canons of good nature; you should not play false to the promptings of the inner voice; you should be prepared at all times to respect the appropriate dictates of conscience; you should watch your steps to see whether you are in someone else’s way; you must be ever vigilant to discover the truth behind all this scintillating variety. This is the entire duty of man, your dharma. The blazing fire of jnana that convinces you that all this is Brahmam (Creator) will consume into ashes all traces of your egoism, and worldly attachment. You must become intoxicated with the nectar of union with Brahmam; that is the ultimate goal of dharma, and of karma (action) inspired by dharma.

“Sacrifice ajnana (ignorance) and ahamkara (egoism) at the altar of jnana, and install dharma therein,” this is the message of the Vedas. Every single unselfish act that prepares the ground for the merging of the soul with the over-soul, which broadens the vision toward the basic Brahmam immanent everywhere, is a dharmic act. Each such act is a tiny stream that swells the river of holiness rushing toward the sea of Brahmajnana (knowledge of Brahmam). Your acts and activities are all rituals in the worship of the Paramatma (God) that pervades the universe. Whatever is done in an attitude of dedication and surrender is a component of the dharma that leads to realization.

You must spread the glory of dharma by making yourself a shining example of the peace and joy it gives. Do not follow the trail of dry logic; do not confuse your brain by cynicism and prejudice, do not get interested in what others do or believe in and try to reform them or correct their footsteps; have faith in the basic atma [soul] that is your real truth; test all lines of conduct on that basis, whether it will hinder the process of revealing the atma or not; and carry on, in the light of that faith and that test, your daily duties and rites. Then you will never fall into error. You will also derive great joy.

Source: Excerpts from Dharma Vahini