Realisation Factor

What is Dharma?

Often I question myself what is dharma? Let me explain my thoughts clearly. 

On a fine morning, I decide to go for a vacation because I am tired of work and responsibilities at home. But, I get to know, there are relatives planning to come to our home for their vacation. So, I am in a dilemma whether to tell them I am already out on vacation (though I haven't)  or am I happy to accept their arrival and enjoy the vacation together, being together. It is very easy for an outsider or the third person to say that it is your dharma and also Indian tradition to take care of your guests or give priority to your relatives. (Athidi devo bhava). 

Well, it is very difficult for the family to accept that. Is it not difficult to follow Dharma here? So, looking at my comfort is also Dharma. Isn't it? na, na.... it is selfishness. So, now let us understand how dharma works. 

Dharma stands on Love. Now a billion dollar question. What do I love most, Myself going for a vacation or Myself spending time with the relatives. Of course, human is a social being and I would choose the second option. I love being with people and I enjoy spreading and sharing love. Now, while prioritizing relatives over myself, can I relax the way I plan to get relaxation while I go for vacation? I think all that I look for is a change of environment to free my mind or declutter my mind. So, when there are relatives at home, yes, definitely it is a new environment in my own home and I can relax with multiple exciting things. Instead of me alone enjoying the vacation,  I think I help both the families' members enjoy the vacation.  And woow, the thought itself gives a lot of satisfaction. And the problem was solved. I had taken a dharmic path. Definitely, if it is my dad, he would have taken this path and if I follow the same, he would feel proud. And as I mentioned in my earlier blog, definitely my confidence kicks in as I stay peaceful. 

But, what if  I don't understand myself  clearly and choose to be adharmic, i.e., Forget my responsibilities, my duties and take a back step of not performing them and run away and satisfy my individual emotions. I know I can go ahead, but the guilt feeling eats away all my peace. I can stay ignorant of the guilt feeling, make fun of my own ignorance  and stay happy, but I don't belong to that category.  

Well, who is my savior to bring me back to a dharmic path. Or am I left for myself to step into an adharmic path? 

My best friend is my savior. Who can clear my dilemma, who can understand the situation and make me understand my own emotions and lead me into the dharmic path. 

Perhaps, Arjuna in Bhagavadgita , in Mahabharata before the start of  Kurukshetra war, wants to step back in war looking at his own relatives. Though we know the Pandavas follow a dharmic path, there are situations when they want to step into an adharmic path. All that they did is, they found their best friend, Krishna, who can put them back in the dharmic path. 

So, what is Arjuna's situation?  What is the emotion that he wants to satisfy for himself? 

Chapter 2 , Shloka 6, 7, 8

यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयुः।
यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषाम 

Meaning -

Nor, do we know which is better - conquering them or being conquered by them. The sons of Dhrtarastra, whom if we kill, we should not care to live, are now standing before us on this battlefield.

Now, I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me. 

I can find no means to drive away this grief which is drying up my senses. I will not be able to destroy it even if I win an unrivalled Kingdom on the earth with sovereignty like the demigods in heaven.

What is the adharmic path he wants to take? 

Chapter 2, Shloka 9

सञ्जय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेशः परन्तप।
न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह।।2.9।।

Sanjaya said, having thus spoken, Arjuna, chastiser of enemies, told krishna, Govinda, "I shall not fight" and fell silent. 

 

Chapter 2, 

Shloka 11 First line - 

श्री भगवानुवाच
अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे। 

The blessed lord said, while speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief.

Shloka 31 

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि।
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाछ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते।।2.31।।

Considering your specific duty as a Kshatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles and so there is no need for hesitation.

Like Arjuna and Krishna -

It is natural that we do a lot of discussion and conversation with our friend to either prove we are correct or to justify our thoughts. Definitely, it is important so that we can move ahead to keep the mind and thought clear of any dilemma.

So, did Arjuna discuss anything with his friend? Is his friend patient enough to make him understand the dharmic path? 

Like me, I am sure, in your daily life you would also be into such situations, right from when you wake up, till you hit the bed at night. Whether it is giving preference to your emotions or giving preference to what is needed right then.

Similarly, in my workplace, many a times, I looked for appreciations for my work. Recognitions for my work. But every time, I waited, there were hurdles for my happiness. Definitely a demotivation factor for my work, which in turn makes me step into an adharmic path either by lazing around without working, or gossiping about someone who is the cause of my misery, or taking advantage of dependence.  Throughout this journey there is a kind of mask I wear to make myself happy, by fulfilling these short term desires. 

Well, now, I know what makes me happy. Not appreciations nor recognitions but being true to myself. All that I need to do is talk to my best friend to understand what I want. Sometimes, I might be ignoring my friend's suggestion too, but very soon I realize, only to get back into my path. 

Did Arjuna get back to his dharmic path? How? What was Krishna's convincing factual story? 

Lets continue our journey with Gita and understand Gita, lets implement Gita

Lets find an easy way to make our lives peaceful.