Ten Stumbh of Dharma

Vijay Kumar Monga, New Delhi

According to Satyarth Prakash human life can be lived in a happy, trouble free and harmonious manner if it is based on Dharma. The life pattern, whether individual or societal, which does not tread the path of Dharma is full of turmoil, suffering and troubles, as it would be a life based on Adharma. Dharma is a set of principles that all agree to abide by for the mutual benefit of each other and Adharma is opposed to these.

To make society and individuals understand what is Dharma Maharishi Manu has prescribed ten principles which form foundation pillars of Dharma. Some explanatory observations have been drawn from Nyaya Shastra to illustrate the subtle message of the principles:

1. Dhriti or Dhairya- To be patient; never to lose control over one’s emotions, thoughts and deeds for trivial reasons.

2. Kshama or pardon- To be tolerant in the wake of provocations and not be overawed by respectful and disrespectful behavior, gain or loss. Exemplary reward and /or punishment to reform and promote desirable conduct as per laid down laws in conformity with individual and social well being is kshama; and immediate and exemplary punishment and banishment to the rogue or dusht, durachari and deshdrohi is Dharma; but revengeful or dogmatic punishment and/or camouflaged reward is not kshama and therefore Adharma.

3. Dam or self Discipline- To control and restrain the overpowering emotions, tendencies and desires that drive to the path of Adharma; these include illegitimate claims or control over resources and authority.

4. Asteyam or non-stealing- To abjure stealing that is not taking anything without the permission of the rightful owner; non-performance of one’s assigned and accepted duties as also ignoring commitments or performance of these in a non-productive and /or non-conforming way is also stealing; profiteering beyond the prescribed norms or running loss making enterprise to disturb fair trade is also stealing. In modern day nomenclature these constitute corrupt practices.

5. Shaucham or Purity– Purity within and outside:

External purity means keeping one self, his/her body (every smallest part), clothes/apparels, his/her surroundings, place of stay or camping, environment –land & its resources, habitations, soil, water, air and ether (echo-system) clean and in a balanced state; exploitation of natural resources be only for legitimate use with long term perspective of Srishti Sidhant that is guaranteed restoration to the original (pre-use) state over time; and

Inner purity means maintaining mental balance through abandonment of wanton cruelty, hate, deceit, envy and greed; further personal gains to be sub-serving to societal norms and needs.

6. Indriya Nigrah or control over Senses- All five gyan-indriyas and five karma-indriyas to be well within control of bhudhi so as to perform all functions as per dharma and shunning path of adharma; Inner cleanliness will be realized only this way.

7. Dhee or Mental disciplining – To shun intoxicants and intoxication of all kinds, keeping company of wise and noble; and Yogabhyas for strengthening pran (to ensure adequate supply of oxygen and useful life support material from atmosphere & nutrition to body (including brain) through blood and regulating endocrine system of body to keep it in shape and well functioning), and apan (cleansing and disposal mechanism) to ensure physical fitness and flexibility.

8. Vidya or knowledge- Full and accurate understanding of:

Braham(Parmatma), Prakarti and Jeevatma (with their holding forms-the bodies of living beings on surface, water and air, etc) and earth and its matters including minerals, agni, vidyut, vayu & jal and vegetation and other support systems);

Therefore for earthlings , the knowledge of earth (its structure, energies and resources) and solar system(and ultimately brahmand) and their functioning together with the structure and functioning of living beings is to be gained collectively and shared and utilized for individual and societal well being and not otherwise; individual excellence to be recognized and respected (called Rishitav or genius).

9. Satyam or truth – To say or recognize something “as it is” in existence or perceived so; To comprehend and describe so requires knowledge and wisdom to penetrate and see through as also right aptitude and rigorous training through guided upbringing; Unpleasant truth spoken to tease, defame, belittle, infuriate or torment others or derive pecuniary benefit, or do harm or mislead is a clothed truth and as bad as untruth leading to the path of Adharma.

Therefore only such truth is Dharma that is absolute, eternal and that serves to regulate flow of correct information and transactions through fair interaction among the individuals, groups and institutions and thus facilitates the orderly functioning of Society at large.

10. Akrodh or control over Anger- To remain calm, undisturbed and compassionate;

Grave provocations to be underplayed or suppressed for exploration and /or appropriate action; And principle of non-violence to be adopted in order to control anger is treading the path of Dharma.

In this context Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati about 136 years ago, had laid down ten principle of Arya(Sabhya) Samaj , two of which are specifically for this purpose:

Rule No. 9 - A person should not be satisfied with his/her own growth alone but consider one’s growth as part of development of all others.

Rule No.10 - A human beings should be free to follow every benevolent law for his /her growth but should be sub-serving to the laws meant for general well- being of the society.

Maharishi Patanjali in his Yog Dharshan while describing the elements of Ashtang yog have prescribed five Yam (disciplines) and five Niyam (rules) for a civilly evolved human being:

A. Yam (disciplines)

1. Ahimsa or non-violence- Not to have hatred or feeling of enmity or envy towards any living being in thought, speech and action; for this wanton rage is despicable.

2. Satya or truth – To follow the path of truth in thought, speech and action;

3. Asteya or non-stealing-Not to take someone else’s belongings without due permission and/or authorization or other- wise without legitimacy;

4. Brhamcharya or Celebacy – To pervade in the realm of God, study of spiritual scriptures and protection of cosmic energy in body also known as virya or libido;

5. Apargriha or suave – Not to be egoist and not to stock things beyond legitimate needs; in other words not to be falsely proud/boasting and greedy.

B. Niyam (Rules)

1. Shauch or Cleanliness – Both internal and external cleanliness that is pavitrata or purity;

2. Santosh or Contentment – To exert with full mite for ones living, protection and growth within the framework of full capacity & capability and then be satisfied with what one gains and attains;

3. Tap or discipline – To remain calm and composed in cool & warm weather, hunger & thrust, gain & loss, respect & disrespect, criticism & appreciation, and sorrow & joy;

4. Swadhyaya or Knowledge of Self - To improve awareness of self and the world at large, to do in-depth study of spiritual books/scriptures and other books/literature that help broadening the horizon of knowledge and dispel ignorance; and ponder over as to “who am I and from where have I emerged and for what?” and then meditate /concentrate attention to the Lord’s sublime name “A A UU M”, the all pervading humming sound of universe’s motions and actions also known as “Brham Nad”;

5. Ishwarpranidhan or Surrender to the Lord- Submission to the Will of Lord/ God /Parmatama through obeying His directions and doing nothing against the principles He has laid down.

It is in the interest of the Man to follow the Yam & Niyam and tread the path of Dharma for his own and societal good-harmonious, healthy and dignified living and growth.