Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami on Dharma

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Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami on Dharma

 

 

They say of a man who speaks the truth, " He speaks the dharma, " or of

a man who speaks the dharma, " He speaks the truth. " Verily, both

these are the same thing.

 

Shukla Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.14. UPH, 84

 

What Is Dharma? What Are Its Forms?

 

SLOKA 56

 

Dharma is the law of being, the orderly fulfillment of an inherent

nature and destiny. Dharma is of four main divisions, which are God's

law at work on four levels of our existence: universal, human, social

and personal. Aum.

 

BHASHYA

 

When God created the universe, He endowed it with order, with the

laws to govern creation. Dharma is God's divine law prevailing on

every level of existence, from the sustaining cosmic order to

religious and moral laws which bind us in harmony with that order. We

are maintained by dharma, held in our most perfect relationship

within a complex universe. Every form of life, every group of men,

has its dharma, the law of its being. When we follow dharma, we are

in conformity with the Truth that inheres and instructs the universe,

and we naturally abide in closeness to God. Adharma is opposition to

divine law. Dharma prevails in the laws of nature and is expressed in

our culture and heritage. It is piety and ethical practice, duty and

obligation. It is the path which leads us to liberation. Universal

dharma is known as Rita. Social dharma is Varna dharma. Human dharma

is known as Ashrama dharma. Our personal dharma is Svadharma.

Hinduism, the purest expression of these four timeless dharmas, is

called Sanatana Dharma. The Vedas proclaim, " There is nothing higher

than dharma. Verily, that which is dharma is Truth. " Aum Namah Sivaya.

 

 

What Is Signified by Universal Dharma?

 

SLOKA 57

 

Universal law, known in the Vedas as Rita, is cosmic order, God's

rule at work throughout the physical province. It is the infinite

intelligence or consciousness in nature, the sustaining cosmic design

and organizing force. Aum.

 

BHASHYA

 

Rita is the underlying divine principle and universal law regulating

nature, from the voyage of stars in vast galactic orbits to the flux

of infinitesimal subatomic energies. Rita is the Tao. It is destiny

and the road to destiny. When we are in tune with universal dharma,

and realize that man is an integral part of nature and not above it

or dominating it, then we are in tune with God. All Hindus feel they

are guests on the planet with responsibilities to nature, which when

fulfilled balance its responsibilities to them. The physical body was

gathered from nature and returns to it. Nature is exquisitely complex

and orderly. The coconut always yields a coconut tree, a lotus a

lotus, a rose a rose, not another species. How constant nature is,

and yet how diverse, for in mass producing its creations, no two ever

look exactly alike. Yes, the Hindu knows himself to be a part of

nature and seeks to bring his life into harmony with the universal

path, the sustaining cosmic force. The Vedas proclaim, " Earth is

upheld by Truth. Heaven is upheld by the sun. The solar regions are

supported by eternal laws, Rita. The elixir of divine love is supreme

in heaven. " Aum Namah Sivaya.

 

 

What Is the Nature of Social Dharma?

 

SLOKA 58

 

Social law, or varna dharma, consists of the occupation, duties and

responsibilities we must fulfill as a member of our nation, community

and family. An important aspect of this dharma is religious and moral

law. Aum.

 

BHASHYA

 

Every human society defines a complex stratification of community

interaction. Scholarly, pious souls of exceptional learning are the

wise Brahmins. Lawmakers and law-enforcers are the guardian

kshatriyas. Bankers and businessmen are merchant vaishyas. Laborers,

workers and artisans are shudras. In addition to these four classes,

or varnas, are hundreds of castes, or jatis. In Hindu societies,

class and caste, which dictates one's occupation and community, is

largely hereditary. However, these birth-imposed categories can be

transcended by the ambitious who enter new careers through education,

skill and persistence. Social dharma is fulfilled in adherence to the

laws of our nation, to our community responsibilities and to our

obligations among family and friends. A comprehensive system of

duties, morals and religious observances make up God's law at work in

our daily life. Rightly followed, Varna dharma enhances individual

and family progress and ensures the continuity of culture. The Vedas

say, " When a man is born, whoever he may be, there is born

simultaneously a debt to the Gods, to the sages, to the ancestors and

to men. " Aum Namah Sivaya.

 

 

What Is the Nature of Human Dharma?

 

SLOKA 59

 

Human law, or ashrama dharma, is the natural expression and maturing

of the body, mind and emotions through four progressive stages of

earthly life: student, householder, elder advisor and religious

solitaire. Aum.

 

BHASHYA

 

The four ashramas are " stages of striving, " in pursuit of the

purusharthas: righteousness, wealth, pleasure and liberation. Our

first 24 years of life are a time of intense learning. Around age 12,

we enter formally the brahmacharya ashrama and undertake the study

and skills that will serve us in later life. From 24 to 48, in the

grihastha ashrama, we work together as husband and wife to raise the

family, increasing wealth and knowledge through our profession,

serving the community and sustaining the members of the other three

ashramas. In the vanaprastha ashrama, from 48 to 72, slowly retiring

from public life, we share our experience by advising and guiding

younger generations. After age 72, as the physical forces wane, we

turn fully to scripture, worship and yoga. This is the sannyasa

ashrama, which differs from the formal life of ochre-robed monks.

Thus, our human dharma is a natural awakening, expression, maturing

and withdrawal from worldly involvement. The Vedas say, " Pursuit of

the duties of the stage of life to which each one belongs--that,

verily, is the rule! Others are like branches of a stem. With this,

one tends upwards; otherwise, downwards. " Aum Namah Sivaya.

 

What Is the Nature of Personal Dharma?

 

SLOKA 60

 

Personal law, or svadharma, is our own perfect individual pattern in

life. It is the sum of our accumulated seed karmas as they relate to

the collective effect on us of Rita, ashrama and Varna dharma. Aum

Namah Sivaya.

 

BHASHYA

 

Each human being has an individual, personal dharma. This dharma is

determined by two things: the karmas, both good and bad, from past

lives; and the three dharmas of this life--universal, human and

social. Svadharma, " one's own law, " is molded by our background and

experiences, tendencies and desires--indicated by astrology--all of

which determine our personality, profession and associations. The key

to discovering and understanding personal dharma is the worship of

Lord Ganesha, the God of memory, time and wisdom, who knows our past

lives and can clarify our most perfect pattern, our right path in

life. When we follow this unique pattern--guided by guru, wise elders

and the knowing voice of our soul--we are content and at peace with

ourselves and the world. Dharma is to the individual what its normal

development is to a seed--the orderly fulfillment of an inherent

nature and destiny. A Vedic prayer implores, " That splendor that

resides in an elephant, in a king, among men, or within the waters,

with which the Gods in the beginning came to Godhood, with that same

splendor make me splendid, O Lord. " Aum Namah Sivaya.

 

As explained by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in his book

 

'Dancing with Siva'

 

Posted by Shikha Deveshwar.