For a thinking human being, conflicts arise at various crucial junctures in life when they have to choose a particular path or direction, or make a difficult decision that impacts them as well as others around them.

It is vital in such situations to make an objective, pragmatic, and scientifically tempered decision, which is in harmony with the human principles of righteousness and brings inner peace as well as external joy and prosperity.

This article offers the most logical approach called “Dharma,” which is quintessential in the decision making process that involves trying to achieve positive success at every stage of life.

Dharma is the underlying order or force that sustains life in the universe. The term is Sanskrit in origin and is derived from the root word ‘dhri’, which means ‘to support’, ‘to uphold’, or ‘to sustain’. So, the simplest definition of dharma is ‘that which sustains’.

Dharma – The Guiding Light for Society

Dharma acts as the guiding principle for individuals in a society. Each individual ought to perform his or her duties according to their dharma. It is the dharmic actions of individuals that sustain the society as a whole.

The two most defining and unique aspects of dharma are:

• It is not universal, but individual. What is dharma for one person need not necessarily be dharma for another.
• It is not static, but fluid and situational. A person’s dharma differs depending on his or her profession, social status, stage of life, and other factors.

The Individual Aspect of Dharma

Let us say you are a surgeon. Your dharma or duty is to save lives. It does not matter if your patient is a noble man or a criminal. Your job is to treat him and make sure he gets better (you can see this in a show like House or even the doctor portrayed in the movie Death Wish). It is ‘adharmic’ (against your dharma) on your part to refuse to treat someone because you do not like them or because he or she is a bad person.

Now, let us say you are a soldier. Your dharma or duty is to defend your country’s borders, protect its citizens, and kill the enemy. You need not and should not think twice about taking a life, if it means saving the lives of your fellow citizens (you can see this in excellent movies like Fury and shows like 24).

It is adharmic on your part to refuse to kill an enemy because you feel bad or for any other reason. As a warrior, your dharma is to slay the enemies, not because it is the right thing to do, but because it is your duty. This is referred to as ‘Varna Dharma’ (dharma based on one’s profession).

The Situational Aspect of Dharma

Let us say you are a married man who is interested in spirituality. It is perfectly fine for you to meditate, go to the church regularly, and do everything you can to feel closer to God. If you, on the other hand, spend all your time reading spiritual literature and attending prayer meets, it would be adharmic on your part, because you are not taking care of your family.

As a married man, your primary duty is to protect and provide for your family. Your quest for spirituality should not prevent you from taking care of your wife and children, especially at this stage of your life.

Similarly, if you are a young student, your dharma is to acquire knowledge and skills. You should not waste your time on any other pursuits, however noble they might be. This is referred to as ‘Ashrama Dharma’ (dharma based on one’s stage of life).

Dharma – A Tool for Harmony

When individuals act according to their own dharma, the society as a whole can live in harmony. If they do not, it leads to conflict and chaos. In Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic which explains the concept of dharma beautifully, it is stated that dharma is that which maintains social order and harmony and enables people to lead a virtuous life.

If an individual behaves in an adharmic manner, it not only affects him, but also his family, which in turn affects the society at large. Even the smallest of adharmic actions could lead to a chain reaction, the end result of which would be chaos and conflict.

In other words, individual disharmony could lead to societal disharmony. This is why the concept of dharma ought to be imposed and reinforced at the individual level, so that each person understands its necessity and value and acts accordingly.

Following Dharma in Life

Righteousness, it is said, stems from a sense of duty. You can lead a righteous life only if you do your duty and stick to your dharma without letting your emotions affect your judgment. Your commitment to your dharma will certainly be rewarded, as dharma protects those who protect and follow it.

Just as dharmic actions have positive consequences, adharmic actions have negative consequences as well. Moreover, straying from the path of dharma will not only affect you at an individual level, but also those around you as well as the society at large. It will lead to your moral and spiritual downfall. So, following your dharma, in accordance with your profession, station in life, and stage of life, is the surest way to lead a life of righteousness and virtuosity.