What is Real Dharma that we should follow for sinless life?
A devotee who requested anonymity asked like this:
“I would like to know what Dharma is and the way to identify it. I dont know how to get the information because I cant understand the explanation in English much (unless simple words) because my native language is tamil…Can u please help me?? Please keep me annonymous….many thanks”
REPLY:
Dharma is described in different manner from country to country, religion to religion, caste to caste, situation to situation, etc. So, we can’t give a definite definition for dharma that is acceptable to all.
However, as we have got convinced that Krishna is the Supreme personality of Godhead and the dharma explained by Him is the ultimate, we can consider the dharma explained in Bhagavad gita spoken by Krishna as the ultimate dharma.
(State of Dharma in Kali yuga! READ HERE!)
If you start to search for sampradhayas, dharma, advices , etc, you will end up in confusion because, everyone speaks that his words are the only ultimate dharma.
So, just follow Bhagavad Gita under the guidance of learned devotees. There is no more dharma needed except those spoken by lord in Bhagavad Gita.
To follow Bhagavad Gita, first we should follow the following qualities that makes us a good human being first. First follow the following dharma. Then, you can go for FURTHER reading on dharma fromm Bhagavad Gita:
(1) Follow the voice of your conscience. That is the most important.
(2) Jesus Christ beautifuly said: If you do not like to receive something, do not do the same to others. (I have changed the words for your understanding) (Eg: If you do not like to be cheated, you too do not cheat others.)
(3) Do not spoil the lives of others for coming up in life.
(4) Do not be selfish. Think of the pains of others also, in any activity. You alone do not claim credit. This happens even in the spiritual field. 100s of devotees would work for a mission. But, a few seniors will claim that HE MADE THIS MISSION POSSIBLE. This is wrong approach. All the 100 devotees deserve the credit. So, learn to recognise others’ efforts PUBLICLY.
(Is it dharma to refuse if my parents compel to take meat? READ HERE!)
(5) Do not be narrow minded. When I was in difficulties many years back, a devotee came to me and told his difficulties of raising around Rs.2000 and asked my suggestions. He knows that I was struggling in life and hence he did not ask me for help. He asked just suggestions.
I know a rich devotee very well who is having crores of rupees as excessive savings and he had no child and he has very excessive wealth. He was speaking about Krishna all the time. So, I told that poor devotee to meet that rich devotee and ask for a loan of Rs. 2000 and he may give it as he was telling me once that he was fearing what will happen for his wealth after his death.
I thought that he can help this struggling devotee. But, when that devotee asked him a loan of just Rs.2000, that rich devotee refused to give and told that he himself is an ordinary man and he himself is now struggling even for managing his expenses.
I knew that he is lying because only two days back he was telling about his excessive wealth. Then, what is the use in uttering the Name of Krishna if he is lying to a devotee who is very genuine in needs?
Then, I arranged Rs.2000 from somewhere and gave to him. He promptly returned it within 2 months as assured.
So, a devotee should always be broad minded. If he has excessive revenue beyond his and family needs, he should help some deserving persons (after evaluating his genuinty) atleast by giving loan.
(6) Put the best efforts you can. Let them be genuine acts. If you are unable to decide whether something is right or wrong, hear the voice of your conscience. Conscience will not lie. Never act against your conscience.
(7) Never speak harsh words and never insult others. Try to be silent as much as possible. When you need to speak, use only essential words. Speak “To The Point” and come back to silence.
(Power of Stri Dharma of serving the husband bearing his flaws! READ HERE!)
(8) Never lie in life. Speak truth and be faithful to your words. Do not give assurances to others easily. If you assure, fulfill it at any cost.
(9) Be truthful to your spouse , children, parents and your friends. This will earn the support of all others for you.
(10) Follow Four regulative Principles of No meat eating, No gambling, No intoxication and No illicit sex.
(11) Chant Lord’s Names as many rounds as possible without offences that will be the most perfect penence one can make in this birth.
(12) A devotee willl never hurt even an insect. So, do not hurt others with your words and actions.
(13) Take only karma free food. What is called karma free food? It is the food offerd to Lord first and taken as Prasadam.
Thus, first follow these basic dharma. In addition to that, read and follow Bhagavad Gita. Lord Himself will show you what REAL DHARMA is! Then, follow them also.
First let us have HUMANITY. First, let us be human. Only from this human stage, we can advance in devotional practices.
After deveoping these basic qualities expected from a human, Read Bhagavad Gita.
You can easily diffferentiate dharma from adharma.
Always concentrate in self evaluation and read Bhagavad Gita again and again and try to follow the advices in your day to day life.
That will be a great dharmic life that will take you to Krishna Himself.
(Why there is no unity among followers of Hindu Sanatan dharma? READ HERE!)