Sai Darshan News letter - Swamis discourse extract

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Sai Darshan News letter - Swamis discourse extract

Thu, 4 Apr 2002 11:34:09 +0530

Organization: Sai Darshan Infotech

Om Sri Sai Ram

RIGHT CONDUCT (DHARMA)

[Extracts compiled from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Discourses]

Dharma is the foundation for the welfare of humanity; it is the Truth that is

stable for all time. God is the embodiment of Dharma; His Grace is won by

Dharma; He is ever fostering Dharma; He is ever establishing Dharma. He is

Dharma itself.

Dharma is a body of principles that are fundamental to social stability and

individual progress. "Dharma Moolam Idam Jagath". Dharma is the root of this

world. Obey it and you are happy. One common definition of Dharma is that it is

the adherence to the rule: 'Do unto others what you wish them to do unto you. Do

not have a double standard. Treat all as your own self'.

The basic principles of Dharma are Sathya (Truth), Prema (Love), Sahana

(Fortitude) and Ahimsa (Nonviolence). "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshithah" –

Dharma protects those that protect Dharma. Dharma means certain obligations and

duties and regulations over actions, words and behavior. For example, elders

have certain obligations towards younger people and vice versa; neighbors have

mutual duties and rights.

The task of everyone is to do the duty that has come upon him, with a full sense

of responsibility to the utmost of his capacity. There should be complete

coordination between what one feels, says and does. Then work becomes worship.

How are you to decide in any particular case what is Dharma and what is not?

That which does not inflict pain on you and others - that is Dharma. This

follows from the recognition that same God resides in everyone and if you

injure another, you are hurting the same God who is in you. Dharma enables you

to come to the recognition that anything that is bad for another is also bad

for you. So act in such a way that you get joy and others too get joy. Or take

another standard for your actions: Make the mind, the speech and body agree in

harmony. Act as you speak; speak as you feel; do not play false to your

conscience. That is the Dharmic way of life.

Dharma trains you to be calm, level headed, secure in equanimity. You know the

transitory nature of success or failure, riches or poverty, joy or grief. You

are not elated or deflated. You are serene, unmoved. Anything that helps you to

maintain this unruffled stability is Dharma. To summarize: sensual life is

Adharma; the spiritual life is Dharma.

Dharma is not a matter of time and space to be modified and adjusted to the

needs and pressures of the moment. It means a number of fundamental principles

that should guide mankind in its progress towards inner harmony and outer

peace. When man stays away from Dharma, he meets with greater harm than even

physical slavery. These principles are called Sanaathana because their origins

are not dated, their author is not identifiable; they are the revelations made

in the clarified intellects of impartial sages. They are basic and eternal.

Dharma is the eternal source. Dharma is a great virtue. Dharma is the basis for

everything. In this world nothing is higher than righteousness. Man must follow

the path of Dharma, to know himself, to discard demonic qualities, to foster

human qualities, to develop divine qualities and to achieve a good life.

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