DHARMA The Global Ethic BY Justice M. RAMA JOIS (Former Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana state, India) All Copy Rights© on this article :belongs to the Author “Dharma” is that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintains the social order and secures the general well-being and progress of man- kind” (Supreme court of India) INTRODUCTION This is a scholarly monograph on the concept of Dharma, the basic note of the Hindu religion. The concepts of Dharma, Karma, Bramha constitute the tripod of Sanatana Dharma (Hindu Dharma), which is Anadi (beginningless), Anantha(endless), and therefore Sanatana(eternal, everlasting). With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language. This article is written by Sri Rama Joise. He deals with this subject thoroughly, using the explanations given in from the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Manusmurti, the Arthashastra, the Hitopadesha and the Rajatarangini. THE AUTHOR M. Rama jois was born on 27th July 1931 in Arga village of Thirthahalli Taluk, Shimoga district, in the state of Karnataka in India. After getting B.Sc. and B.L. degree from Mysore University he was enrolled as an advocate of Karnataka high court in 1959. He has been very successful in the legal profession particularly in the branch of service and constitutional law. He authored the book “Services under the State” which was published by the Indian law institute in 1974 and re-published in 1987. He was appointed judge of Karnataka high court in Nov 1977. His another book “Legal and constitutional history of India” in two volumes which includes ancient Indian Legal, Judicial and Constitutional Law(Vyavahara and Raja Dharma). This book has been described as monumental work by eminent scholors and judges in their review of the book. It has been recommended forstudy for law and degree courses by the Bar Council of India. His collection of articles on “DHARMA” has been published by “Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan” in a book form. In May 1992 he became the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana high court, which post he held till his retirement. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA..................................................................................... 5 1.1.1 ORIGIN OF DHARMA.......................................................................................... 6 1.2 DHARMA -THE SIX ANTIGEN FOR THE MIND ..................................................... 8 1.2.1 Causes for evil actions ............................................................................................ 8 1.2.1.1 Three sinful mental actions:................................................................................ 8 1.2.1.2 The four evil verbal actions ................................................................................ 9 1.2.1.3 The three wicked bodily actions ......................................................................... 9 1.2.2 THE MESSAGE ................................................................................................... 11 1.2.3 BASIC ASPECTS OF DHARMA........................................................................ 15 1.3 THE DOCTRINE OF TRIVARGA.............................................................................. 18 1.3.1 Observance of Dharma a must for peaceful co-existence..................................... 19 1.4 VALUES OF LIFE BASED ON DHARMA................................................................ 21 1.4.1 The Country .......................................................................................................... 22 1.4.2 Values of Life ....................................................................................................... 25 1.4.2.1 DUTY TOWARDS OTHER LIVING BEINGS .............................................. 25 1.4.2.2 (a) SAMANYA DHARMA (b) RAJA DHARMA........................................... 26 1.4.2.3 RESPECT FOR WOMANHOOD .................................................................... 30 1.4.2.3.1 Rights of women members of joint family ................................................. 34 1.4.2.3.2 Misuse or dependence of the property of women prohibited ..................... 35 1.4.2.3.3 Right of Wives ............................................................................................ 35 1.4.2.3.4 Right of mothers ......................................................................................... 36 1.4.2.3.5 Rights of daughters ..................................................................................... 36 1.4.2.3.6 Stridhana ..................................................................................................... 36 1.4.2.3.7 Exception to women's property from the law of adverse possession.......... 37 1.4.2.3.8 Special provision in favor of women regarding quantum of penalty.......... 37 1.4.2.3.9 Death sentence for rape of a woman under custody ................................... 37 1.4.2.4 SAMANATA (EQUALITY)............................................................................ 38 1.4.2.5 GRATITUDE (Kritajnata)................................................................................ 40 1.4.2.6 COMPASSION................................................................................................. 41 1.4.2.7 SIMPLE LIFE -SPARING USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES..................... 41 1.4.2.8 SERVICE OR PAROPAKARA ....................................................................... 43 1.4.2.9 TYAGA -SACRIFICE...................................................................................... 43 1.4.2.10 WORLD IS ONE FAMILY.......................................................................... 44 1.5 FOUR PIOUS OBLIGATIONS ................................................................................... 48 1.5.1 Devaruna The pious obligation towards God, the Creator:.................................. 48 1.5.2 Pitruruna Pious obligation was towards one's parents:....................................... 50 1.5.3 Rishiruna Pious Obligation Towards The Teachers ............................................. 51 1.5.4 Manavaruna Pious Obligation towards Humanity ............................................... 53 1.5.5 ASHRAMA DHARMA -FOR HUMAN EXCELLENCE................................... 55 1.6 DHARMA OF HUSBAND AND WIFE AND FAMILY LIFE .................................. 61 1.6.1 MARRIAGE -A SAMSKARA............................................................................ 61 1.6.2 THROW-AWAY ATTITUDE -A MENACE TO HUMANITY ......................... 63 1.7 DHARMA OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.................................................... 66 1.7.1 SAMVIBHAGAHA:............................................................................................. 67 1.7.2 AKRODHAHA:.................................................................................................... 67 1.7.3 KSHAMA: Forgiveness:...................................................................................... 68 1.7.4 SHOUCHAM:....................................................................................................... 68 1.7.5 ADROHA : ........................................................................................................... 68 1.7.6 An exemplary Role:-............................................................................................. 71 1.8 THE ORIGIN OF RAJA DHARMA AND ITS PURPOSE......................................... 73 1.8.1 IDEAL AND PURPOSE OF THE STATE.......................................................... 74 1.8.2 RAJADHARMA IS THE PARAMOUNT DHARMA ........................................ 75 1.8.3 KING, THE MAKER OF THE AGE ................................................................... 76 1.8.4 ONE LAW-ONE PEOPLE-MANY STATES...................................................... 77 1.8.5 TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO 'RAJA DHARMA'.............................. 78 1.9 THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RULERS ............................................................... 81 1.10 THE SUPREMACY OF DHARMA ............................................................................ 86 1.11 DHARMA A PANACEA FOR HUMAN PROBLEMS.............................................. 89 1.11.1 DHARMA -Not Religion...................................................................................... 89 1.11.2 DHARMA -is code of good conduct .................................................................... 89 1.11.3 DHARMA binding on the Rulers and the Ruled.................................................. 90 1.12 ACCEPTANCE OF DHARMA AS GLOBAL ETHIC ............................................... 94 1.12.1 WE DECLARE :................................................................................................... 95 1.13 DHARMA ALONE SURVIVES.................................................................................. 98 1.1 THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by Bharata Varsha, our beloved Motherland. On account of its antiquity, utility and universality the very mention of that word rouses the conscience of an individual in this land. All our present day problems are a direct result of disregarding 'Dharma' , under the influence of a materialistic philosophy, in the belief that it alone can usher in happiness and secure the welfare of the people. Now it is becoming clear that human problems multiply as we