Dharma Vahini - Post 9

Essence of Chapter 2

Swami says,

"Dharma expresses itself in a variety of forms. Sometimes, it is known by the people who codified it, like Manu-dharma, sometimes by the group that followed it, like caste-dharma, sometimes by the stage of life to which it is applied, like householder-dharma, and so forth. But these are subsidiary practical details and not the fundamental norm. The Atma-dharma, the divine dharma, is what I am speaking of.

Practical dharma, or rules of good behaviour (achara-dharma), relates to temporary matters and problems and physical needs, to one’s passing relationships with the objective world. The very instrument of those rules, the human body, is itself not permanent, so how then can these dharma be eternal? How can their nature be described as true? 

The Eternal cannot be expressed by the evanescent; truth cannot reveal itself in untruth; light cannot be procured from darkness. The Eternal can emerge only from the Eternal; truth can emanate only from truth. Therefore, the objective codes of dharma relating to worldly activities and daily life, though important in their own sphere, have to be followed with the full knowledge and consciousness of the inner basic Atma-dharma. Then only can the internal and external urges cooperate and yield the bliss of harmonious progress.

If, in your daily avocations, you translate the real values of eternal dharma into love-filled acts, then your duty to the inner reality, the Atma-dharma, is also fulfilled. Always build your living on the Atmic base; then, your progress is assured." 

Prof. Venkatraman explains the above as under:-

"Now almost all countries have a written constitution, Britain being a prominent exception. The constitution invariably defines the basics, and within these basics, the country frames laws, usually via a legislative process. Laws thus passed are called Acts, and they are supposed to be in full conformity with the constitution. 

Sometimes there are disputes whether the act passed by the parliament is actually in conformity with the constitution or is in violation of it. In the event of such a dispute, a case is filed before the Supreme Court which is usually the final judicial authority. 

The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court then decides whether the act in question is in violation of the constitution or not. This is the way the legislative process works. 

With this preamble, we are all set to hear what Swami says next. Watch out for two key words: 

The first is Atmadharma, and the second is Acharadharma or Practical Dharma. Over now to Swami:

"The Atmadharma, the Divine Dharma, is what I am speaking of. Practical Dharma or Acharadharma relates to temporary matters such as day-to-day problems, physical needs, to man’s passing relationships with the objective world, etc. 

The very instrument of those rules, the human body, is itself not permanent; how then can these issues, all of which are related to Practical Dharma be eternal? How can their nature be described as true? "

Continued........