Dharma

By Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Dharma is generally used in two contexts. One, as duty and the second, as righteousness. Every individual dons a number of roles during his Earthly sojourn. He plays the part of a son, a father, a friend, a disciple, a husband, a professional, a seeker. Each of these roles dictates a certain code of conduct, do’s and don’ts that govern his decisions at various points. One’s dharma serves as guiding star during moments of internal conflict. It serves as a benchmark to action. Understanding the nature of dharma is imperative to holistic decision-making in a world that offers a million options. “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha,” it is said. Dharma protects its protector. Listen to Bhagawan as He speaks of the nature of Dharma and its role in one’s life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications Division
• Release date: Oct 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9789350691427

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23rd, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Even as a child, His spiritual inclination and contemplative nature set Him apart from other children of His age, and He was known as 'Guru' and "Brahmajnani' among His peers and others in the village. On October 20th, 1940, He made the historic declaration of His Avatarhood and the world at large learnt of this divine phenomenon. Today, millions of devotees worship Him as an 'Avatar' and an incarnation of the Sai Baba of Shirdi.Revealing the purpose of His Advent, Sai Baba has said that He has come to re-establish the rhythm of righteousness in the world and repair the ancient highway to God, which over the years has systematically deteriorated.Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an integral manifestation who combines two very significant roles. Firstly, He is a great spiritual Master, famed for His simple and sweet exposition of the greatest and most intricate of spiritual truths which form the fundamental teachings of all the religions of the world. His formula for man to lead a meaningful life is the five-fold path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema, and Ahimsa. Love for God, fear of sin and morality in society - these are His prescriptions for our ailing world.Secondly, He is an inexhaustible reservoir of pure love. His numerous service projects, be it free hospitals, free schools and colleges, free drinking water supply or free housing projects, all stand testimony to His selfless love and compassion for the needy and less privileged. True to His declaration - "My Life is My Message", He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of His devotees worldwide by His personal example to live the ideal that service to man is service to God.Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a beacon of hope in the world. A devotee said, "Bhagawan Baba is nothing but Love walking on two feet."

Book preview

Foreword

Dharma is generally used in two contexts. One, as duty and the second, as righteousness. Every individual dons a number of roles during his Earthly sojourn. He plays the part of a son, a father, a friend, a disciple, a husband, a professional, a seeker. Each of these roles dictates a certain code of conduct, do’s and don’ts that govern his decisions at various points. One’s dharma serves as guiding star during moments of internal conflict. It serves as a benchmark to action. Understanding the nature of dharma is imperative to holistic decision-making in a world that offers a million options. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha, it is said. Dharma protects its protector. Listen to Bhagawan as He speaks of the nature of Dharma and its role in one’s life.

1

What is Dharma?

Why should it be followed?

What does it allow?

What does it condemn?

These have to be clearly known. The Gita is the best text on Dharma; the first word in it is Dharma and the last word is mama (mine). So, it teaches each student what exactly he should consider as the "Dharma, which is mine!" Each one must evolve his own Dharma based on Atma Dharma, the faith that the Atma is his true reality.

(S.S.S. Vol.IV p.129)

2

The word Dharma, which is really bound up with an infinite variety of meanings, is being inadequately described by one word, ‘duty’, in this modern age. Duty is something that is connected with an individual, a predicament, or with a particular time or country. On the other hand, Dharma is eternal, the same for everyone, and applies everywhere. It expresses the significance of the Inner Atma. The birthplace of Dharma is the heart. That which emanates from the heart as a pure idea, when translated into action, will be called Dharma. There is no word, which can successfully convey the depth of the meaning contained in the word ‘Dharma’. Words like ‘right action and righteous living’ are only translations, which do no justice to the original meaning. Only Dharma is the equivalent of the word ‘Dharma’. Many people have mistaken Dharma for religion. But, ‘religion’ does not convey the infinitude of meaning latent in the word