Dharma

There is no simple answer to these questions Sumedh. But there is usually one defining concept that is imbibed in all of our scriptures, practices, rituals and gyaans... The concept of working towards the greater good than just for self.
So in all the situations you mentioned, the highest Dharma is the simple truth that would your action and decision be for the greater good. When people around you and the ones most dear to you understand that, then there is no neglect. It becomes your Dharma,

But even the above is no easy. That is why we have the ithihaas's and Puranas to guide us. Gita tells us to do our duty and not look for any benefits. What is the foremost duty in itself confuses us until we start thinking in a detached fashion rather than emotionally. The day we realize that we are not in control of things we think we can control is the day things become clear to us.
Our puranas give a lot of importance to destiny and fate.. not because it is pre-written but because it drills into us the fact that the sense of control we think we have is an illusion. Lose that our Dharma becomes clear to us.

Originally posted by: Justlikethat1

There is no simple answer to these questions Sumedh. But there is usually one defining concept that is imbibed in all of our scriptures, practices, rituals and gyaans... The concept of working towards the greater good than just for self.
So in all the situations you mentioned, the highest Dharma is the simple truth that would your action and decision be for the greater good. When people around you and the ones most dear to you understand that, then there is no neglect. It becomes your Dharma,

But even the above is no easy. That is why we have the ithihaas's and Puranas to guide us. Gita tells us to do our duty and not look for any benefits. What is the foremost duty in itself confuses us until we start thinking in a detached fashion rather than emotionally. The day we realize that we are not in control of things we think we can control is the day things become clear to us.
Our puranas give a lot of importance to destiny and fate.. not because it is pre-written but because it drills into us the fact that the sense of control we think we have is an illusion. Lose that our Dharma becomes clear to us.

Sumedh.. Lakshman knew his Dharma was to follow Ram was because he knew the one Supreme truth. Where ever Shri Ram was, goodness and Dharm followed. So his decision was based on that unshakable faith that serving Ram was his Dharm.

Dharma is one which holds together. So it sustains and holds the world. And by extension, the definition of something. And its essential nature.

even as thouhast been stupefied, in discriminating between what should be done and what should not. What should be done and what should not cannot be ascertained easily. Everything can be ascertained bythe aid of the scriptures. Thou, however, art not acquainted with the scriptures. Since (believing thyself) conversant with morality, thou art desirous of observing morality (in this way, it seems) thou art actuated by ignorance. Thou believest thyself to be conversant with virtue, but thou dost not know, O Partha, that the slaughter of living creatures is a sin. Abstention from injury to animals is, I think,the highest virtue. One may even speak an untruth, but one should never kill

Krishna to Arjun


actually it hadn't been mentioned in Bhagavat Gita which believed as Dharma that taught by Vishnu to Suryadeva. it took place in Karna Parva. this is just main quote. Krishna told two stories to explain Dharma. he meant Dharma is the thing which is the best for lives. so one moral decides his Dharma.


Lakshman was Ram's younger brother. so Ram is father figure to Lakshman and Lak knows Ram is the man of virtues. so he had rights to obey Ram foremost.He had Rights to follow him. but let Urmila to assist him was their choice. in fact Ram had no second thought to drop exile. first he went to convince his mother then as a husband he told his responsibility and Danger at forests. Sita was so adamant about assist him. Then Ram himself mentioned that though He was capable enough to protect her , He just wanted to be sure about her opinion on Exile.so Urmila was the one to decide Lakshman Dharma .


Ram had trust on Dhasarath Rajadharma.Dhasarath advised Ram about King responsibilities.Ram Dhasarath both knew Bharath also such a Man of Virtue. That's why Ram didn't utter anything against Dhasarath decision.in fact ,Lakshman told he would Kill Bharath if he were Power hunger. But R reminded Bharath good character and approved him if Bharath became power hunger person. I'm not sure, When Ram wanted to appoint Lakshman as Yuvaraja, He refused that Bharath was more eligible than him.

I Said numerous times before. He never abandoned her, He just told Her (I mean he announced it thru Lak) that he couldn't live with her together anymore. Sita understood his decision and accepted it.

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion

I can't understand why Ram husband duties only questioned. in fact Pompeia was Caesar second wife. Caesar married thrice.Ram just belong to Sita,Sita,Sita. Then why his Rajadharma not ununderstood.

@sumedha understand that at every step we have 2 choices. If you have more choices first thing is 2 bring it to 2 choices. Then comes the question what is the right way. Right way depends on the situation.

Originally posted by: shruthiravi

@sumedha understand that at every step we have 2 choices. If you have more choices first thing is 2 bring it to 2 choices. Then comes the question what is the right way. Right way depends on the situation.

Simple thing I will tell you. Way back in 2006 I was part of a project. You can call a difficult project. Since I belong to audit team it was my duty to check the final release based on certain parameters and then approve the release. I just needed to check before the release. This team was working over weekend and my mind was telling, I should go and check the testing process. I was not actually required there as my check was supposed to be done on Monday when the release happen. I had promised a treat to my friends as I cleared one certification which was tough to clear. Happily I went for the party, had a gala time.

On Monday I did my usual checks also and approved the release with open comments. The project had a huge escalation next day. We all were called and everyone was asked to buck up and work to close the escalation. The next 2 weeks were the nightmare any could think of with every single person working day and night.

And you know the guilt I carried. I had the power to stop the release, instead of partying if I had come and observed the testing on that weekend, I would have caught the testing mistake then and there. Either it would have been corrected or I could put my foot down and tell because of this issue I cannot approve the release to everyone including the senior management.

We would have had an issue, but not the one we faced. Not the nightmare. From that moment dharma always has been the hard choice for me. Whenever you face 2 choices take one which looks unpleasant, which doesn't have any logic associated with it, which may not be in your realm of work also, which may not look right to others also, but that is the choice that looks right to my heart.

And despite personal pains it has always delivered the right results at a larger level. Hope I am not incoherent and makes some sense.

Originally posted by: pasumarthisa

Dharma is one which holds together. So it sustains and holds the world. And by extension, the definition of something. And its essential nature.

Like dharma of fire is to burn and of water to flow.

Dharma also means 'order of universe',duty. There are diff kinds of dharma, samanya dharma, vishesha dharma etc

But dharma has 3 aspects. Satya, ahimsa and brahmacharya. satya-reality n conviction, ahimsa - non violence in any way and brahmacharya - conserving energy.

http://www.hinduism.co.za/dharma.htm

Originally posted by: Justlikethat1

Sumedh.. Lakshman knew his Dharma was to follow Ram was because he knew the one Supreme truth. Where ever Shri Ram was, goodness and Dharm followed. So his decision was based on that unshakable faith that serving Ram was his Dharm.

Ram sending Sita to exile was extremely painful. But it served the greater good of people, in treta yug and now in Kaliyug never ever raising a finger/word against Sita Mata's chastity. Shri Ram has taken all the blame and has given Sita Mata the place, dignity and respect she should have been given by everyone without an iota of doubt.

In the shorter run, Shri Ram gave his kingdom a lesson they would never forget. He showed them by taking on personal pain and sorrow, as to how even the smallest waft of adharm could affect their most beloved.

And finally, He showed us all that inspite of however we, his bhakts are and the mistakes we make, He and Thaayaar would remain karuna saagars guiding us wade this world and all that comes with it.