From an interview with Pt. Umadutt Maharaj and Pt. Munivar Agnishwar Maharaj on the podcast, Hindu Upadesh (youtube.com)
Dharma is one of the most fundamental aspects of Hinduism. The word, dharma is the most important word in our way of life, Sanaatana Dharma. Dharma is derived from the word Dhar, which means “to hold” and the meaning of dharma is “that which holds”. Dharma holds the entire world together: everyone, the entire creation, both the microcosm (the individual self) and the macrocosm (the universe).
Dharma is the eternal Divine Law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the all powerful law of God. Practice of dharma, therefore, means recognition of the law and abiding by it. Therefore, dharma, in simple terms, is that constitution by which an individual must live.
The Bhagavad Gita, our most profound scripture that contains the words of Shree Krishna Bhagavan, tells us that dharma is that dutifulness that one is supposed to practise. In the first verse of chapter one, the first syllable is dhar and the last syllable of the last chapter is ma.
Dharma is that which ensures the wellbeing of an individual. It is that which supports the entire world. Dharma is that which upholds the virtues of individuals; that which secures the preservation of beings is dharma.
Dharma leads to eternal happiness and immortality. That which is verily the truth is dharma. Dharma includes all external acts, as well as thoughts and other mental practices, which tend to elevate the character of an individual. Dharma comes from the Divine and it leads us to the Divine.
There is no proper equivalent English word to describe the Sanskrit word, dharma. Dharma is generally defined as righteousness or duty. But, to understand it further, dharma is a principle. Dharma is the principle of righteousness. It is a principle of holiness. It is also the principle of duty and unity.
Bheeshma said to Yudhishtir that whatever creates conflict is adharma (the opposite of dharma, the unrighteous path. In the Mahabharat, Yudhishthira, Arjuna and the Pandavas face off against Duryodhan and the Kauravas. The Pandavas perform with righteousness and dutifulness, dharma. Bheeshma says that whatever creates conflict is unrighteous and whatever ends discord and brings about harmony is dharma. Anything that helps to develop pure divine love and universal brotherhood is dharma. That which creates discord, split, disharmony, or elevates hatred, is referred to as adharma.
Dharma is the sustainer of social life. It is the principle of positive virtues, the principle of right conduct and the principle of good actions. Dharma brings as a consequence, happiness, both in this world and in the next. It is the sole refuge of humanity. It is that which elevates one to the path of spirituality.
