First things first.
All the 'a's in Dharma and Yoga is pronounced as 'u' in 'Burma'. The 'D' in Dharma is pronounced as 'th' in 'That'.
Now that this is cleared, we can move to the real bit.
For some time now, I have been intrigued by what the words Dharma and Yoga actually mean. Without a doubt, these two terms, nay principles, along with Karma are the three most important aspects of the Hindu philosophical system.
While Karma is quite easily understood as 'actions' which forms a part of the Karmic cycle of actions and consequences, the definitions of Dharma and Yoga are quite varied, and sometimes even contradictory.
Upon reading some books, listening to some videos on Youtube, and talking to a few people, I have come to my own understanding of these two concepts. I believe that these definitions will closely match with most of the other definitions that one will encounter in various texts and sources.
I will start with an explanation of Yoga.
Yoga in Sanskrit actually means to join or to unite, and derives from the root yuj which means 'to attach'. Yoga is also used in the meaning of addition. But it is in the former sense that this word is more extensively used.
Yoga as a practice seeks to unite the self with the whole of the cosmic creation. What does this actually mean?
Let's take a very simple example. Our individual lives are driven by some specific desires. More often than not, our thoughts, words, and actions are focused towards fulfilling these desires. However, there are times when we choose to not pursue these desires. Sometimes, we as individuals let go of our individual desires in the 'interest' of our family, our community, our friends, our village, our town, our city, our country, or even the whole earth and nature.
It is in these instances that lies the key to our understanding of Yoga. When we choose to let go of our individual interest for the sake of our family, we do two things:
By doing this, we as individuals have unified ourselves with a larger unit, and our interests have been unified with the interests of the larger unit. The notion of 'greater good' comes to mind.
By practice of Yoga, individuals tend to unify themselves progressively with larger units until they are able to unify themselves completely with the entire cosmic creation. Every thought, word, or action of ours, howsoever trivial or unimportant in our or other's perceptions, is focused towards achieving the larger interests of the entire creation. This unification is not easy and that's why Yoga is a practice. It is a process by which one achieves oneness with the entire cosmos.
Let us now visit the notion of Dharma.
Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root dhr which means 'to hold' or 'to maintain'. The word dharti for earth also derives from this root. What are we trying to hold or maintain through Dharma?
Dharma can be understood to be all those actions or duties that help in maintaining the natural order of all things in cosmos. The usage of the word 'order' is fraught with danger. 'Order' as it is commonly understood is an artificial imposition of certain notions of good and bad. The order being referred to in the context of Dharma needs to be perceived in a more natural sense.
But what is 'natural order'? Aren't we still talking about artificial notions of good and bad?
The answer to this question comes to us from the practice of Yoga. When we achieve unification of self with the cosmos, then our thoughts, words, and actions automatically align themselves with the interests of the entire cosmos. It is these thoughts, words, and actions that are collectively known as Dharma.
Let me use an example to elaborate on this. Our individual interest in eating fish pushes to catch as many fish from the oceans and seas as possible for consumption. Our individual interests in building bigger houses compels us to grab more and more land. However, the moment we understand the larger interest of ecology and environment, and how our own interests lie in fulfilling these larger interests, our efforts move towards preservation of forests and ocean flora and fauna. By this one step of Yogic process, we move a step closer to Dharma.
In summary, Dharma is the manifestation of Yoga. While Yoga is a practice, Dharma is what results from it. Dharma therefore can either be achieved through individual's practice of Yoga, or can be achieved by emulation of the thoughts, words, and actions of a Yogi.
As we start understanding Dharma better, we will understand what is Adharma. Dharma and Adharma are like light and dark. Wherever there is light, darkness cannot exist, and wherever there is darkness, light is absent. Existence of one necessitates elimination of the other. Therefore, for Dharma to survive, Adharma must be eliminated.
Having said that, I won't be surprised that as humanity approaches the perfect Yogic existence, Dharma will reduce to just two concepts - Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence).
All the 'a's in Dharma and Yoga is pronounced as 'u' in 'Burma'. The 'D' in Dharma is pronounced as 'th' in 'That'.
Now that this is cleared, we can move to the real bit.
For some time now, I have been intrigued by what the words Dharma and Yoga actually mean. Without a doubt, these two terms, nay principles, along with Karma are the three most important aspects of the Hindu philosophical system.
While Karma is quite easily understood as 'actions' which forms a part of the Karmic cycle of actions and consequences, the definitions of Dharma and Yoga are quite varied, and sometimes even contradictory.
Upon reading some books, listening to some videos on Youtube, and talking to a few people, I have come to my own understanding of these two concepts. I believe that these definitions will closely match with most of the other definitions that one will encounter in various texts and sources.
I will start with an explanation of Yoga.
Yoga in Sanskrit actually means to join or to unite, and derives from the root yuj which means 'to attach'. Yoga is also used in the meaning of addition. But it is in the former sense that this word is more extensively used.
Yoga as a practice seeks to unite the self with the whole of the cosmic creation. What does this actually mean?
Let's take a very simple example. Our individual lives are driven by some specific desires. More often than not, our thoughts, words, and actions are focused towards fulfilling these desires. However, there are times when we choose to not pursue these desires. Sometimes, we as individuals let go of our individual desires in the 'interest' of our family, our community, our friends, our village, our town, our city, our country, or even the whole earth and nature.
It is in these instances that lies the key to our understanding of Yoga. When we choose to let go of our individual interest for the sake of our family, we do two things:
- We consider ourselves to be a part of a unit that is larger than our individual self. In this case, it is our family.
- We believe that a greater benefit is to be accrued by fulfilling the interest of this larger unit than by fulfilling our individual interests.
By doing this, we as individuals have unified ourselves with a larger unit, and our interests have been unified with the interests of the larger unit. The notion of 'greater good' comes to mind.
By practice of Yoga, individuals tend to unify themselves progressively with larger units until they are able to unify themselves completely with the entire cosmic creation. Every thought, word, or action of ours, howsoever trivial or unimportant in our or other's perceptions, is focused towards achieving the larger interests of the entire creation. This unification is not easy and that's why Yoga is a practice. It is a process by which one achieves oneness with the entire cosmos.
Let us now visit the notion of Dharma.
Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root dhr which means 'to hold' or 'to maintain'. The word dharti for earth also derives from this root. What are we trying to hold or maintain through Dharma?
Dharma can be understood to be all those actions or duties that help in maintaining the natural order of all things in cosmos. The usage of the word 'order' is fraught with danger. 'Order' as it is commonly understood is an artificial imposition of certain notions of good and bad. The order being referred to in the context of Dharma needs to be perceived in a more natural sense.
But what is 'natural order'? Aren't we still talking about artificial notions of good and bad?
The answer to this question comes to us from the practice of Yoga. When we achieve unification of self with the cosmos, then our thoughts, words, and actions automatically align themselves with the interests of the entire cosmos. It is these thoughts, words, and actions that are collectively known as Dharma.
Let me use an example to elaborate on this. Our individual interest in eating fish pushes to catch as many fish from the oceans and seas as possible for consumption. Our individual interests in building bigger houses compels us to grab more and more land. However, the moment we understand the larger interest of ecology and environment, and how our own interests lie in fulfilling these larger interests, our efforts move towards preservation of forests and ocean flora and fauna. By this one step of Yogic process, we move a step closer to Dharma.
In summary, Dharma is the manifestation of Yoga. While Yoga is a practice, Dharma is what results from it. Dharma therefore can either be achieved through individual's practice of Yoga, or can be achieved by emulation of the thoughts, words, and actions of a Yogi.
As we start understanding Dharma better, we will understand what is Adharma. Dharma and Adharma are like light and dark. Wherever there is light, darkness cannot exist, and wherever there is darkness, light is absent. Existence of one necessitates elimination of the other. Therefore, for Dharma to survive, Adharma must be eliminated.
Having said that, I won't be surprised that as humanity approaches the perfect Yogic existence, Dharma will reduce to just two concepts - Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence).
