What Is Dharma Part 3

As I mentioned earlier, the word ‘Dharma’ has a vast range of meanings depending on the context it is being used. Dharma, besides ‘what we adopt’ and ‘the constitutional nature’, is also used to define the ethics and duties of the individuals in all relationships and situations; such as ‘Desh-Dharm, Patni-dharm, Pati-dharm, Putra-Dharm, Dharm of parents and children, Dharm of students and teachers etc. And there are Social Dharmas such as honesty, truthfulness, humility and kindness etc.

But all these Dharmas, though very important, are related to the physical world and are performed or carried on by the physical body.

Spiritual Dharma, however, does not depend on the physical body. It is, as the word ‘spirituality’ suggests, associated with the spirit and mind. Since neither ‘Brahm’ (God) nor the spirit or mind has any physical form, ‘spiritual Dharm’ should also be carried on beyond the body.  

That is why the great Holy Scriptures teach us to shed the ignorance and meditate upon the Almighty without indulging much in the ritualistic physical practices, and develop a direct relationship between soul and the Super-Soul.

For example:

“Dhaavat man raakhai ik thaain”     

“Nanak Hari keertan kar, Atal ehu Dharam”

(Keep your wandering mind restrained in one place

 “O Nanak, sing the Keertan of the Lord's Praises; this alone is the eternal faith of Dharma”)       (SGGS Page 299)

“Taj sab Bharm, Bhajeyo Paarbrahm

 Kahu ‘Nanak’ Atal ehu Dharam”

(Renounce all your doubts, and meditate upon the Supreme Lord.

Says Nanak, this is eternal and unchanging path of Dharma)

                                                          (SGGS Page 196)

Avtar Bani also says:

“Rub nu haazir naazir taknaa, is ton vadda Dharm nahin”

   

(There is no greater Dharm than to see the almighty Lord all around (and sing His prayers)

                                 (Avtar Bani Shabad 154)

In Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says:

“Sarv Dharmaan Prityajya Maamekam Sharanam Vraj”

    

Renounce all (other physical, ritualistic) Dharmas and take refuge in me         
                          (Bhagvad Gita chapter 18 Shlok 66)

Though, in the beginning, we might have to adopt some ways to focus our mind but eventually, we should go beyond the body and the ritualistic practices, and meditate upon the Supreme Lord.  

        ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

सर्व धर्माण परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणम् व्रज 

                                                 (भगवद् गीता 18:66 )

धावत मनु राखै इक ठाइ ॥

सभ महि पूरि रहे पारब्रहम ॥

नानक हरि कीरतनु करि अटल एहु धरम  (Page 299)

अउखध मंत्र तंत सभि छारु ॥

करणैहारु रिदे महि धारु

तजि सभि भरम भजिओ पारब्रहमु ॥

कहु नानक अटल इहु धरमु      (SGGS Page 196)

ਧਾਵਤ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਖੈ ਇਕ ਠਾਇ ॥

ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥

ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਅਟਲ ਏਹੁ ਧਰਮ (Page 299)

ਅਉਖਧ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਤੰਤ ਸਭਿ ਛਾਰੁ

ਕਰਣੈਹਾਰੁ ਰਿਦੇ ਮਹਿ ਧਾਰੁ

ਤਜਿ ਸਭਿ ਭਰਮ ਭਜਿਓ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਅਟਲ ਇਹੁ ਧਰਮੁ    (SGGS Page 196)

Keep your wandering mind restrained in one place.

The Supreme Lord God is pervading amongst all.

O Nanak, sing the Keertan of the Lord's Praises; this alone is the eternal faith of Dharma. (Page 299)

All remedies, Mantras and Tantras are nothing more than ashes

Enshrine the Creator Lord within your heart.

Renounce all your doubts, and meditate upon the Supreme Lord.

Says Nanak, this is eternal and unchanging path of Dharma.

                                                        (SGGS Page 196)

रब्ब नूं हाज़िर नाज़िर तकना इस तों वड्डा धरम नहीं

                                                   (अवतार बानी शब्द 154)

ਰੱਬ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਜ਼ਿਰ ਨਾਜ਼ਿਰ ਤਕਨਾ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਧਰਮ ਨਹੀਂ

                                                            (ਅਵਤਾਰ ਬਾਨੀ  ਸ਼ਬਦ 154)