6 Strategies To The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Spiritual Transformations

A spiritual term arose from Vedic philosophy and was embraced throughout the history of the Hindu religion by the astika (orthodox) and nastika (heterdox) sects. Politically used, it became broadly and ambiguously defined. This Sanskrit word "dharma" comes from the root "dhr" that means "to hold".

The early Vedic meaning of dharma was the cosmic order, or that which upholds the cosmos. It was also interwoven, through connections to the Vedic ritual, to the societal order. One could consider dharma to be "the law". Later schools of thought used the term to mean the best reality and highest truth, which were equal to another meaning of the word, the teachings of the founders of these schools. It really is thought that the root "dhr", since Sanksrit is an early Indo-European language, could have led to words such as Deus, Zeus, Jupiter, Tao, and many more, all which point to that which upholds and sustains the universe physically, socially, and morally.

Dharma was a term that may be embraced and employed by any group to further it's own ideas or agenda. This really is precisely what occurred between the brahmins (priests) as well as the samnyasins (renouncers). Brahmins had taught that one should follow the prescribed social order to reify the power of the gods, which metaphorically allude to differing aspects of reality and also the cosmos. Following this established pattern of living, depending on the class one is born into, guarantees that each person within society, and therefore society as a whole, performs their personal karma. If this social order is upheld, then it really is alignment with the dharma. The motivation for the people to surrender to this system was the hope of a greater rebirth within samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.

With the emergence of the cosmic and spiritual journey speculation of the Upanisads came a whole new emphasis on samsara and an escape from it, moksa. The definition of karma shifted, with less emphasis on the Vedic ritual, and many more on the causal element of the word. The entire cosmology was now understood by the ascetics being an allegory for the internal conditions of the human mind. Dharma obtained a transcendental aspect, karma binds one to samsara, and liberation is no longer a higher rebirth within samsara, but a total freedom from it. Karmic action lost its importance as moksa became the goal. Jnana, or familiarity with oneself as the highest truth, will be the key to liberation. This really is realized by yoga, a withdrawal of the senses and a cessation of the turning of the mind. The most conducive atmosphere to achieve this is away from society. These new definitions contradict the ideas of the brahmins and deem much of their special status as unnecessary. An attempt to reemphasize the significance of a social obligation and moral duty may be found in the Ramayana.

The Ramayana tells an epic tale of an incarnation of Visnu, Rama, as he works throughout the consequences of following proper dharma while following his own purusarthas (goals of life), which ultimately lead to a greater good for all. The brahmins look to explicate the reasons why one should follow dharma before artha (things of personal value) and kama (sensual pleasures). However the reason could be beyond intellectual grasping, the greatest good arises by following dharma. The following is just one episode of the Ramayana which displays this reasoning.

The King of Ayodhya, Dasaratha, wants to elevate Rama, the son of his first wife, to kingship. But his third wife, Kaikeyi, uses this time to obtain two promises offered to her by Dasaratha after she once saved him on the battlefield. She decides these promised boons to be that her son Bharata be named king rather than Rama, and that Rama is exiled to the wilderness for fourteen years, knowing that Bharata would refuse kingship if Rama was present.

Here the dilemma arises. Dharmically Dasaratha must hold true to the promises he offered Kaikeyi, his favorite wife. His purusartha, goals of life, are to follow his dharma, seek and protect his personal properties, and fulfill sensual desires. Dharma is shown to be most important as he chooses to exile Rama and name Bharata as king. Although he would have rather followed the social custom of primogeniture, naming his first-born son king, he did not. He chose to follow proper dharma, which held him obligated to be loyal to his oaths, and maintained his family structure, which is a model for his citizens and part of his kingly dharma. In the end, many events occur which lead to Rama finding a worthy wife, solving many injustices, ridding the world of the asuras (demi-god demons), and becoming king anyways.

This polemical writing seeks to assure people that the delaying of their very own gratifications is infinitely more rewarding when dharma will be at risk. For individuals of the Vedic society, it indicates even their own release from samsara should be delayed in order to uphold the cosmic, social, and moral order, which eventually results in a world more conducive to attaining moksa for everybody. It attempts to remove the urgency of seeking liberation, thus convincing people to remain within society and their castes and perform their duties for the highest good of society as well as the cosmos. This keeps power in the hands of the brahmins, the highest and most privileged caste.