Dharma

In Sanskrit, Dharma comes from the root word, Dhri meaning "to hold," "to maintain" or "to preserve" and can be translated as "right way of living" or "righteousness." Dharma is described in several Vedic text but is first mentioned in the Rig Veda as the "nature of things."

It is difficult to define the word Dharma because of the many descriptions in the various Vedic texts, but with the root word Dhri, we are given a starting point. Dharma can also be translated to "the Cosmic order" and "one's life purpose."

With the definition of Dharma as one's life purpose, we need to know that this life has a purpose that needs to be fulfilled, known as Sva Dharma.

If one's Dharma is to teach, but instead they are pursuing another persons Dharma, there life will feel incomplete, empty and unfulfilled.

"It is better to strive in one's own Dharma than to succeed in the Dharma of another."
- Bhagavad Ghita

One's Dharma or life's purpose is determined by the Karma of past incarnations or past lives, which determines one's current Dharma.

In ancient India, they created what is known as the cast system which is determined by one's Dharma, which is a direct result of the Karma created in past incarnations. A person was expected to carry out there daily work with total acceptance of there Dharma because of Karma.

With the definition of Dharma as the Cosmic order, righteousness and one's life purpose, it is the Dharma of a warrior or the life purpose of a warrior to keep the Cosmic order in place through righteousness.

This means that it is the job of a warrior to correct the wrongs of another person or a group of people and to re-establish the Cosmic order or righteousness in the Universe.

This example of Dharma is clear in the Baghavad Gita, when Krishna explains to Arjuna that he must fight his family and friends to re-establish Dharma or righteousness.

"One's own duty, performed imperfectly, is better than doing another's duty perfectly."
- Bhagavad Gita

Four Types Of Dharma

1. Rita

In Sanskrit, Rita means "order" or "truth" and is known as Cosmic law that regulates Nature through the laws of physics. The practitioner knows that they are a part of Nature and they strive to bring the higher Self in line with the universal path.

2. Varna Dharma

The Sanskrit, root word for Varna is Vri meaning "one's occupation" and the duty to that occupation.

3. Ashrama Dharma

In Sanskrit, Ashrama refers to the stages of a persons life. There are four stages of Ashrama Dharma.

Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya is translated as "conduct consistent with Brahma," "going after Brahman," "behavior that leads to Brahman," "right use of energy." This stage is known as the bachelor or student stage when celibacy is practiced for the purpose of focusing on education.

Grihastha

In Sanskrit, Grihastha means "householder." This stage is known as the family stage when the practitioner must fulfill familial and social obligations.

Vanaprastha

In Sanskrit, Vanaprastha is made from two words, Vana meaning "forest" and Prastha meaning "going to." Therefore, it may be translated as "retiring to the forest" but is also translated as "giving up worldly life" This stage is the stage when the children have left home and the practitioner transitions from worldly occupations to renunciation and reflection.

Sannyasa

Sannyasa refers to a person's life or spiritual development. This stage is the final stage when the practitioner gives away property, becomes a recluse and devotes themselves to spiritual matters and the attainment of Moksha meaning "liberation."

4. Sva Dharma

In Sanskrit, Sva means "Self," this Dharma refers to personal duty in life.