Miscellaneous - Religion   

Relevance of Dharma

CHENNAI: Sastras stress the importance of righteous living when explaining the four primary pursuits (Purusharthas) — righteous living (Dharma), wealth (Artha), desires (Kama) and liberation (Moksha). Even the pursuit of wealth or the fulfilment of worldly desires has to be in accordance to morals and ethics. The concept of Dharma is subtle yet central to life, supporting it. It has survived through the ages when people have upheld it at all costs. The eternal conflict between the evil and the good is symbolically represented in the Bhagavata Purana when King Parikshit’s rule coincides with the inception of Kali, pointed out Srimati Prema Pandurang in a lecture.

The king confronted the personified force of evil and realised that it is not possible to annihilate it, and that at best, one could mitigate its effects to a certain extent. On Kali’s persistent demands, he granted some places where evil could stay, such as wine, gambling, prostitution and heinous crimes, and on further pleas, gold was also included. These are symbolic of evil effects. Parikshit himself, by an inadvertent act of disregard to a sage, brought on himself a curse that confirmed his death due to snake bite in seven days. The repentant Parikshit renounced everything and decided to spend the rest of his life in penance on the banks of the Ganges. He was fortunate to listen to the Bhagavata Purana from Sage Suka who had imbibed it from his father Sage Vyasa. Parikshit’s life illustrates the value of human birth most eloquently for it shows the importance of striving for salvation.

Parikshit voices his doubts on eternally relevant matters that would be beneficial to all — excellence in one’s life, the final goal, the duty for a person nearing death, that which should be heard and chanted, that which should be remembered and shared, and that which should be avoided.

There are countless subjects that may seem to be of value to human society, but these may not be helpful in exploring the reality of the Self. Enjoyments born of sense objects are the sources of misery. All such enjoyments have a beginning and an end. A wise man does not rejoice in them. He fixes his mind in God and seeks enlightenment.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 9574
Solution to puzzle 9573
Relevance of Dharma
dated July 2, 1959: Berlin and Germany
dated July 2, 1959: Forest research
dated July 2, 1959: World mountaineers meet
Weather

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu