Different shades of dharma

In the Gita, Krishna shares with Arjuna the many dimensions of dharma that could have a different import according to the context, writes Guru ji The Bhagwad Gita begins with the word dharma-kshetre. Dharma is first of the four essential purusharthas or aims of life. But the word ‘dharma’is difficult to define. It comes from Sanskrit dhri, meaning to uphold or sustain, but it could also mean divine law, righteousness, religion, duty, ethics, responsibility, occupation, nature, or truth.
On the battlefield in Kurukshetra, when Arjuna was perplexed about his dharma, Krishna said to him that the wise neither lament for the living nor for the dead. He told him that if he did not perform his duty of fighting, he would incur the sin of neglecting his duty and would lose his reputation as a warrior. Arjuna’s dharma in that situation was to be in harmony with his essential nature — that of a kshatriya — a warrior. Fighting and not running away from the battlefield would be the most appropriate thing for him to do at that time.
Throughout the Gita,Krishna refers to dharma in many different contexts and situations, explaining the term in different ways. In Chapter 2:33, Krishna refers to dharma as one’s essential nature as described earlier but then in Chapter 3:35, he says dharma is duty and that it is far better to discharge one’s own svadharma,prescribed duties,even though faultily, than paradharma, another’s duties, perfectly; destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for it would be dangerous.
Then Krishna refers to dharma as virtue in Chapter 4:7, when he says: Whenever and wherever there is a decline in virtue, and a predominant rise of adharma or vices — at that time I descend Myself. He explains dharma as righteousness in Chapter 7:11 when he says:I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am that desire which is in keeping with dharma or righteousness. Krishna refers to dharma as occupation when he tells Arjuna that if he follows his occupation and does his prescribed duty of participating in the war and killing the unrighteous and simultaneously fixes his mind and intelligence on him,then he would surely attain to him: You should always think of me and at the same time execute your prescribed duty of fighting.
With your mind and intellect focused on me, you will surely attain to me without doubt. (Chapter 8:7) Krishna refers to dharma as spiritual practices in Chapter 9:3, saying: Those who do not have faith in their spiritual practices cannot attain me,O conqueror of enemies. Therefore,they return to the path of birth and death in this material world. Dharma has been interpreted as path of devotion,when Krishna says in Chapter 12:20:Those who follow this imperishable path of dharma, devotion, and completely engage themselves with faith, making me the supreme goal, are very dear to me.
After explaining the different kinds of dharma or processes to attain God,Krishna advises Arjuna to give them all up and simply surrender to Him,loving, unconditionally, and without selfish motives, for then he would surely free Arjuna of all sins. At the end of the discourse, Krishna asks Arjuna if his doubts were cleared and if his illusion was dispelled. Arjuna answers in a positive and confident note: Kkarishye vachanam tavah, meaning,‘ I shall execute your order’. Addressing Krishna as the infallible one, he tells him,‘My illusion is now gone.
I have regained my memory by your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to your instructions. ’ To act according to His instructions or to understand and follow the will of God at every single moment is the core and subtle meaning of dharma and this is exactly what Arjuna ultimately realises. To know God’s will at every moment is not easy. Unless we love Him unconditionally above everyone and everything and without selfish motives and desires;if we accept without grumbling whatever happens in our lives and when surrendering to Him, giving up self-will and executing His will become the sole purpose of our lives, only then will He reveal His will to us from within.
That is why the Srimad Bhagvatam,Verse 1. 2. 6 says: Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje/ Ahaituki apratihata yayatma suprasidati — the supreme occupation or dharma for all humanity is that by which men can achieve loving devotional service unto the transcendental Lord. Such devotional practices must be unmotivated and uninterrupted.