dharma: (Sanskrit) "Righteousness." From dhri, "to sustain; carry, hold."

Hence dharma is "that which contains or upholds the cosmos." Dharma, religion, is a complex and all-inclusive term with many meanings, including: divine law, law of being, way of righteousness, religion, ethics, duty, responsibility, virtue, justice, goodness and truth. Essentially, dharma is the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature or destiny. Relating to the soul, it is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path.

(See also: Dharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

grihastha dharma: (Sanskrit) "Householder law."

The virtues and ideals of family life. This dharma includes all nonmonastics, whether married, single or gay. In general, grihastha dharma begins with the completion of the period of studentship and extends throughout the period of raising a family (called the grihastha ashrama).

Specific scriptures, called Dharma Shastras and Grihya Shastras, outline the duties and obligations of family life.

In Hinduism, family life is one of serving, learning and striving within a close-knit community of many relatives forming a joint family and its broader connections as an extended family under the aegis of a spiritual guru. Each is expected to work harmoniously to further the wealth and happiness of the family and the society, to practice religious disciplines and raise children of strong moral fiber to carry on the tradition.

Life is called a jivayajna, "self-sacrifice," for each incarnation is understood as an opportunity for spiritual advancement through fulfilling one's dharma of birth, which is the pattern one chose before entering this world, a pattern considered by many as bestowed by God.

In the majority of cases, sons follow in the footsteps of their father, and daughters in those of their mother. All interrelate with love and kindness. Respect for all older than oneself is a keynote. Marriages are arranged and the culture is maintained.

The householder strives to fulfill the four purusharthas, "human goals" of righteousness, wealth, pleasure and liberation. While taking care of one's own family is most central, it is only part of this dharma's expectations.

Grihasthas must support the religion by building and maintaining temples, monasteries and other religious institutions, supporting the monastics and disseminating the teachings.

They must care for the elderly and feed the poor and homeless. Of course, the duties of husband and wife are different. The Tirukural describes the householder's central duties as serving these five: ancestors, God, guests, kindred and himself. The Dharma Shastras, similarly, enjoin daily sacrifice to rishis, ancestors, Gods, creatures and men.

See: ashrama dharma, extended family, joint family, yajna.

(See also: Grihastha dharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ashrama dharma: "Duties of life's stages."

Human or developmental dharma. The natural process of maturing from childhood to old age through fulfillment of the duties of each of the four stages of life- brahmachari (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (elder advisor) and sannyasa (religious solitaire)- in pursuit of the four human goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation).

See: ashrama dharma.

(See also: Ashrama dharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma - from the verbal root dhr meaning ‘to sustain’; lit. that which sustains;

1) the natural, characteristic function of a thing; that which cannot be separated from its nature;

2) religion in general.

3) the socio-religious duties prescribed in sastra for different classes of persons in the varnasrama system; one’s fixed occupation in relation to the highest ideals known to man.

Dharma is aspired for by persons who not only desire enjoyment in this world, but who hanker for something more, like Svarga. For this it is necessary to follow the religious codes outlined in sastra. By following the religious duties prescribed according to varnasrama, one can enjoy happiness in this life and attain Svarga. The performance of dharmika duties is foremost for such people, and therefore their purusartha (goal of life) is known as dharma.

There are many types of dharma. Stri-dharma (a woman’s dharma) refers to the duties, behaviour etc., that sustain the proper nature of a woman. Similarly, dharmas such as purusa-dharma, brahmana-dharma, sudra-dharma; and sannyasa-dharma, are described in dharma-sastras. Ultimately, however, dharma means the natural attraction of the part for the whole, the jiva for Krsna. All of these other dharmas are only related to this temporary body, therefore, in the midst of performing them, one must cultivate atma-dharma, the soul’s eternal occupation as servant of Krsna, so that one can reach the point, either now or tomorrow, of sarva-dharman parityajya, giving up all secondary dharmas and taking full shelter of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.

(See also: Dharma , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

stri dharma: (Sanskrit) "Womanly conduct."

See: dharma.

(See also: Stri dharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma:

duty, righteous path

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dharma [dhr = to support, sustain]: the inner essence or very foundations of a thing or being. Dharma may be translated as law, duty, harmony or essential Truth, according to the context.

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dharma:

dharma - the law, duty, way of life

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Dharma:

Righteousness, duty. The inner constitution of a thing, which governs its growth.

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

DHARMA: righteous conduct; characteristic

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Dharma:

Right action, truth in action, righteousness, morality, virtue.

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Dharma:

Essential duty; the law of righteousness; living in accordance with the divine will. The highest dharma is to recognize the Truth in one's own heart.

(See also: Dharma , Yoga, Yoga Dictionary, Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

dharma

“Religious principles,” or, more properly, individual duty. In another sense, dharma is the inseparable nature of a thing that distinguishes it, like the heat of fire or the sweetness of sugar.

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dharma:

what is right for the self - moral piety, religion, honor, the clan, karma or work, society and the universe

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Dharma:

Dharma- divine duty, or highest spiritual path Darshan - inner vision; to see a great or holy individual, either human or divine

(See also: Dharma , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Dharma:

Dharma ("bearer"): a term of numerous meanings; often used in the sense of "law," "lawfulness," "virtue," "righteousness," "norm"

(See also: Dharma ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

DHARMA: Righteous way of living as enjoined by the sacred scriptures, virtue.

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Dharma (Sanskrit). The sacred Law; the Buddhist Canon.

(See also: Dharma , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

Dharma:

Dharma: Religious principles; one's eternal, natural occupation (i.e. devotional service to the Lord) [Sastras] (Bhagavatha Vahini), Righteous conduct, justice, morality, duty. Karma along the lines of Dharma cannot be sinful, (BV-4), (RRV-1), Justice, Righteousness, Morality, Virtue, (BV-32), Righteousness (BV-35); one of the Four Goals of Human Life together with Artha, Kama, Moksha (Welfare, Endeavour and Liberation), Rightful duties (RRV-5), Dharma Vahini. The regulated life of the spirit affecting every detail of the process of living, with liberation from the consequences of ignorance always in view (SSS-II)

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Dharma:

Dharma: Austerity, cleanliness, compassion and thruthfullness [tapah, sauca, daya, sathya] are the legs that established the age of truth [Sathya Yuga, the 'old days'] (SB, C1-17)

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