Dr. Vijai S Shankar MD.PhD.
Published on www.academy-advaita.com
The Netherlands
15 December 2017
Dharma
“Right conduct”
In Sanskrit language dharma means right conduct. Conduct means the manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation. Therefore, right conduct or behaviour from every human being is Dharma.
Dharma is the corner stone in every scripture and religion for man and woman to follow. There is, however, a distinction between selfish human behaviour and selfless human behaviour. The scriptures and religion promote and preach selfless human behaviour and not selfish human behaviour.
They emphasize that Dharma is to be followed, meaning the right conduct or behaviour at home or at any place or in any situation and to every member of the family, friend and colleague.
Dharma is especially important for everyone to have towards their own family members, irrespective of their age, meaning the right human behaviour and not selfish behaviour.
Dharma is yoga (union or merger with God, meaning the intelligence in life). Whoever’s ego is subdued conquers his selfish desires, is surely on the path of Dharma.
He or she will be in union with God or the intelligence in life. Therefore, it is extremely important for every individual to understand the wisdom of right behaviour or Dharma.
A dog is an animal. A dog could be a wild dog or a domesticated dog. Both, however, bark every day. Barking is sound and not silence. A dog is an opportunity gifted by God to understand Dharma or right conduct.
When a man or a woman argues irrationally or rationally with anybody at any place or situation, it amounts to the barking of a dog. Therefore, if a man or a woman argues irrationally or rationally with anybody in the house or with a friend or colleague, he or she is exhibiting selfish behaviour and not selfless behaviour as mentioned in the scriptures.
If dharma is missing in daily life, it signifies that he or she is yet to understand what dharma really means.
Author: Dr. Vijai S. Shankar
© Copyright V. S. Shankar 2017
Editor’s Note:
The human issues in a man or woman’s life and the manner in which they are managed have a profound and lasting effect on the well-being of the community, be it local or global. The differences in ideas and understanding amongst the members of a family or community and the deep-seated differences in culture and tradition between people of different nations are significant factors in human relationships. The understanding of the scriptures and the wisdom of the enlightened, however, reveal the values applying universally for every human being. To be in union with God or the intelligence of life is surely every man and every woman’s fulfilment.
Julian Capper. UK.
German Translator’s Note:
Compassionate communication and interaction between humans of every kind is essential for peace and freedom everywhere. Dharma is the path to peace and freedom and it happens to man or woman depending on how deep the understanding of life which has happened to them. Dharma is not under the control of man. The enlightened understand that Dharma happens to anybody as everything else in life just happens, illusory though it is. Dr. Shankar’s article “Dharma” reveals the wise understanding of scriptures in many religions.
Marcus Stegmaier, Germany.