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Dharma as a way of life religion

CHENNAI: The essence of dharma is deep and is not easy to comprehend. But it is this dharma which holds the world in order. The importance of dharma is central to Vedic teaching and Vedic tenets exhort people to “Speak the truth”, “uphold dharma”, etc. But the essence of this teaching gets translated into a way of life when the noble ends of dharma are reflected with clarity in the narratives of the Itihasas and the Puranas. It is seen how dharma has survived against the onslaughts of adharma through the efforts of people who have upheld it at all costs. For instance, the lives of Lord Rama or Harischandra exemplify the path of dharma and truth and bring out the moral and ethical value of life. While neither law nor logic can explicate the rules of dharma, the lives of upright men and women serve to hold the beacon light for humanity as far as the practicalities in the path of righteousness are concerned, said Sri C. L. Ramakrishnan in a lecture.

The Mahabharata, while highlighting the changing fortunes of the Pandavas, focuses on their unbending commitment to dharma and the episode of the Yaksha Prasna is an overt test to Yudhishtira who is a champion of the cause of righteousness. Yudhishtira proves by example that commitment to dharma demands total impartiality above personal and selfish levels. The question answer session at this juncture between Yama and Yudhishtira brings to the fore the subtleties and intricacies of dharma that surface when one is keen to adhere to moral values. Yudhishtira answers the most difficult questions posed by Yama and these are valuable pointers to likely situations that may give rise to moral dilemmas.

One significant clue to people unable to decide on a course of action available to them due to doubts and questions of right and wrong is to follow the example of elders. The path that great men had traversed is suggested as the best to follow. They are worthy of being looked up to as precedents since their discernment and integrity are to be commended. To the query regarding the most mystifying aspect of human life, Yudhishtira says that it is people’s continued belief that they will live forever even when confronted with death in everyday life.

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