Dharma- What they taught us was all wrong!

December 30, 2018, 8:43 pm IST in Unheard Shepherd | India | TOI

And why suddenly a discussion about Dharma? As if we aren’t already communal enough? Do you see how this religion segregates us, tears us apart?

Calm your nerves! Who said we’ll be talking about religion? Let’s step back and re-read the line ‘What they taught us was all wrong’.

As exponentially as we are exposing ourselves to the entire world through the medium of social media, we have made ourselves more receptive than ever in terms of free flow of information and introduction to new ideas and possibilities. The advancement of technology has made everything seem so easily accessible. Anything that you desire is readily delivered at your doorstep. Aren’t these some positive steps? Then why so much stress today? What is it about?

Dissatisfaction? Overthinking? Insecurity? Loss of conscience?

Obviously, there is something wrong, but why is it so? Are there any solutions to these modern world complexities? Bhagwat Gita, they say has an answer to every question. The epic refers to the idea of Dharma, multiple times, guiding every character to follow the right path? If yes, then the real question is- What is this Dharma?

Isn’t it the age-old traditions which should have been rusted and left behind to the state of oblivion?

Is it what your parents try and inculcate in you, forcing you to worship and chant some shlokas whose meaning you hardly understand?

Is it the moral science which burdened our school curriculum or is it a reason to start a war with other sects and faiths?

Is it the stories of Rama and Ravana or is it too sacred to be even discussed?

The real question is what exactly is this Dharma?

The answer to all these questions popping up in your head is ‘None of the above’

No, it is no defined law, no archaic tradition, no one belief, no limited faith, no sectorial divide, no tool for war, not even the worships or chants. Dharma in its true sense refers to Righteousness, the right moral conduct, the right conscience, right faith, the right set of actions.

But isn’t Dharma more of a personal choice then? Isn’t it too individualistic?

The answer surprisingly is yes!

As many of you might wonder and some may even reject the argument by now in utter disbelief but Dharma in its true spirit concludes narrowly to listening to your own conscience and living for a larger cause, going beyond the visible spectrum and identifying yourself as a part of a supreme force, a larger world than self. It does define principles but keeps them vulnerable to be altered too when needed. Honesty, for example, is one of the principles of Dharma but is being honest and truthful all the time a true Dharma?


Let’s say that your locality is witnessing a brutal riot and you are attempting to save the lives of a family which belongs to the other religion. You witness a knock on your door and as you open it, you are being questioned by a group of bloodthirsty goons looking for the same family to butcher them brutally. They ask you whether you know where that family is hiding, then at that very moment what are you supposed to do? Be honest and virtuous with
them and tell them about the family, letting the family die or be practical and lie to save some innocent lives?

While many of us see Dharma as a burden, it actually acts as a liberator if we try to gauge it honestly. It sets you free to experiment, experience and engage. It allows your mistakes but not blunders. It allows you to question but not ignore. Dharma sees all of us a part of a play whose story has been written, cameras have been set on rolling and direction is on, we all are just expected to play our part with utmost sincerity and as per the demand of the greater good. To define it in a single word or a dialogue is like an unwanted oversimplification. It rewards you for your attempts to learn, guides you through that process, scolds you for deviation and punishes you for being ignorant.

So, listening to our own conscience is Dharma? Then do we even have a defined path for it at all? What should be that right choice? What should be the right set of actions?

Well, the beauty of it is that there is no one right choice or a well-defined path. Let’s explore this more. Let’s suppose that one fine day while driving back to your home, you witness some people trying to abduct a girl. You are shocked to see that but at that very moment you also witness a terrifying accident with bloodshed around and the victims seem to be in dire need of help then what will you do? Whom will you rush to help? Aren’t both the situations requiring your action? Isn’t this a dilemma, referred to as a Dharma-sankat in our epics? Is there any right choice here? If you choose to reach out to the victims of the accident then aren’t you responsible for what lies ahead for that girl? If you rush to save the girl then aren’t you letting the victims suffer to death? Who will tell you the right choice? Which textbook will answer your doubt? The truth is that you will make one choice and it will be the one made out of your conscience. Despite all the scepticism, you will act for a cause that you will relate to and this calling from your heart is what forms the foundation of Dharma. Each person has his/her own Dharma and it is rightfully his/her personal choice but the choice, when made out of conscience, is always the rightful one and for a greater cause. The choice made with fear, arrogance, loath, insecurity and all such evil virtues are bound to lead you to Adharma.

We all live in a democratic country and despite our much-discussed rights we also have some duties towards the nation for a greater good. Dharma offers a similar democracy. It allows you to think, act, accept, deject, witness and express. It welcomes your doubts and encourages you to question but in the end, it does believe that answer to all your doubts and queries lies within you. It holds your hand to help and leaves it for you to act when needed but it always stays by your side like a father trying to teach his child to walk, standing there with care and hoping that you will succeed. While the 3 D’s of democracy i.e. debate, discuss and dissent form the basis of its existence, Dharma can be referred to as the 4th D forming its soul.

Still searching out for Dharma? Well, dive into oneself first!

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.


Aditya Agrawal
Aditya is currently working as a fellow in 'Teach For India' and 'Slam Out Loud' - both of which are dealing with underprivileged children who possess an im. . .

Manav Shekhawat

A wonderful read for anybody stuck in between the right thing to do and their dharma.

Shubhi Khetan

Such insightful thoughts. Penned down wonderfully..!!

Pushkar Bajaj

What a fresh perspective....