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TOWARDS A DHARMIC SOCIETY

By Dr. B. K. Modi
(President, Indian Council of Religious Leaders)

The universal principles and laws of life, which support the basic structure of a harmonious existence of an individual, leaving little scope for conflict within self, family, community, nation or environment, is called Dharma. The word Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root “dhri” which means to bear, to hold or to support or to keep carefully. In fact the inner sustaining nature of any thing is its Dharma. This power like the thread that goes through beads of a necklace, bears, pervades every matter of the mind, the body and animate-inanimate creation.

Every great river that represents a flow, a living spirit and a moment forward, is held together by the riverbed. If the riverbed is removed, the water has nowhere to go and the concept of river ceases to exist. Likewise, any cell in the brain or liver or kidney has its individual role and capacity defined due to its inherent nature and destiny. If this self knowledge or truth within the cell, that holds it together, is removed, then the perception of a working cell vanishes. Thus the essential nature of a thing, without which it can never exist, is its Dharma. The power of burning is the Dharma of fire. Fire cannot but burn, else it would not be fire.

Similarly what holds the creation in harmony, what sustains its cosmic order at every conceivable level, what secures all human beings in perfect relationship within a complex universe, is this law of being, or simply called Dharma.

It is only after global understanding dawns on person that one can perceive true nature of Dharma. Dharma, which is the universal and eternal natural law, governing all aspects, stages and actions of humans, provides total freedom and protection. It unites fellow human being, promotes respect for diversity and provides a holistic vision of realizing that ultimately the Truth is one.

At universal level, Dharma, known as ‘rita’, prevails in the law of nature. At global level it is the ‘Manav Dharma’, which is an expression of humanism and universality, built around a proper understanding about the purpose of life. At social level, Dharma stands for justice and is the entire code of conduct. Through the long history of India, the powers conferred on the king were always in accordance with Dharma. Dharma is a code of conduct supported by the general consciousness of the people.

At personal level, it allows individuals to hold on to their own beings by following ethical standards like: fortitude, forgiveness, self-control, non-coveting, purity, control over senses, power of mind to discriminate between good and bad, learning, truthfulness and absence of anger. It is through the observance of Dharma that man realizes his relevance.

Dharma is a way of life, which creates a balance between material and spiritual requirements of people at all levels. Although Artha acquisition and enjoyment of material possessions is thought to be necessary, the balancing aspect of Dharma ensures fairness in all dealings and restricts people from going beyond moral and ethical norms. This way people are free to shape their lives, yet be in the conformity with the value system.

Time has come to once more draw our strength from Dharma and guide the human society to live in harmony, for destiny of entire mankind is the same. A dharmic person would be one who considers himself as an universal entity, with universal feelings, having total regard for the sacredness and centrality of all life. Such a person would accept that there are many ways to worship the same God and consider all human beings equal. This would encourage him to give a call to the human society across the globe to live like members of one large family. Let every human beings become a dharmic person, so that there is sustained peace in the world.

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