Dharma:

Concept, Origin, Nature & Types

BA III Semester
UNIT 1

By
Prachi Virag Sontakke
 Concept of Dharma
•Multi faceted term with diverse impact.
•Does not correspond to English term ‘religion’.
•Etymologically derived from root ‘dri’ meaning to
follow, to support, to carry.
•Related to various aspects of life.
•Does not denote a specific cult or view but
represents a code of conduct, a way of life which
establishes the duties of an individual as a member
of society and imparts a system and harmony to the
same.
•Special emphasis on moral values.
•Dharam helps man to transcend to his final goal of
existence.
Concept of Dharam:

Universal
Eternal
Variable
Code of Conduct
Practical/Pragmatic
Utilitarian
Moralistic
Didactic
Behavior Regulator
Cause & Action response
Proclaims prosperity
 Sources

• Primitive religion: Figurines, rock art, burial.

• Often identified as Religious literature, Vedas
are not.
• References to Dharam in Vedas are scattered
appear in certain specific contexts.
• Vedas do not provide clear cut methodology
and definition of Dharam.
• The basis and concept of Dharam was explained
later in Dharamsutras and Dharamshashtras.
Outline of Dharma in Literature
• Rgveda: used 56 times in context of various religious rites,
definite rules and behavior.
• Atharvaveda: used to denote the merit earned by conducting
religious rites.
• Aitereya Brahman: means all religious duties.
• Taitiriya Upanishad: denotes code of conduct like satam vad
• Purvamimaansa sutra: to follow the rules laid down in vedas
is dharam.
• Mahabharata: Behaviour is dharam- ‘ahimsa paramo
dharamah’ , ‘aacharah paramo dharamah’.
• Gautam Dharamsutra: vedas form the crux of dharam.
• ApsatambhDS: opinion of those who know Vedas is dharam.
 Types of Dharma
• Ch.U: Three branches of dharm-Yajna, study,
knowledge; tap/penance; celibacy.
• Manusmriti: Five aspects- Vedas, tradition & behavior
of Vedic scholars, behavior of sages, self satisfaction.
• Yajnavalkyasmriti: Veda, Smriti, Sadachaar, Swapriy
(loved by self), desire generated by right vow
• Megatithi: Varna, Ashram, Varnashram, Gun, Naimittik.
• Others : Shraut (based on Vedas) & Smritis(based on
Smritis).
• Generally: Philosophical/spritiual & rites/tradition.
 Types of Dharma
• Samanya Dharam: Applicable/useful to all
irrespective of time & space. Eg.: kindness,
truthfullness.
• Vishishta Dharam: restricted for certain groups. Eg.
Varna dharam, Kuldharam (directives for Samskar,
Panchmahayajnas, Marriage etc), Yugdharma (Sat-
Tap, Treta-Jnana, Dwapar-Yajna, Kali-Daan),
Rajdharam etc;
• Apad Dharam: Shashtras permit to
unfollow/change the prescribed rules of dharam in
extreme/dire situations to save life. Eg. Pandavas
performing duties of charioteer, cook etc in exile.
 Origin of Dharma
• Stage I: Primitive religion
• Stage II: Indus valley religion
• Stage III: Vedic religion
• Stage IV: Pauranik religion
• Stage V: Rise of religious sects