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Gita Lesson - 1003: Dharma Vs Adharma

Bhagavad Gita
Unit - 10
Lesson - 1003: Dharma Vs Adharma
By Raja Subramaniyan

Every one of us, without exception, inherently knows what is right for us to do or not to do. This is called Dharma. Dharma is a set of actions (including thoughts, words and deeds) that preserves and sustains the functioning of the universe.

Example: It is the Dharma of the Sun to give out heat. If it does not, the solar system will perish.

Similarly, every human being is supposed to follow his Dharma. Any action that is not in line with Dharma is called Adharma.

People do Adharma due to the accumulated preferences (arising out of our likes and dislikes) and insufficient knowledge. When they do Adharma, there is a conflict within them.

Normally the forces of Dharma and Adharma balance each other and the world is functioning as desired by God. If the force of Dharma is overpowering then the world will be comparatively peaceful and serene. However, when the Adharma is on the rise there is a risk of the destruction of the whole world.

Example: Nuclear warfare may wipe out the life forms on earth.

To deal with such a risk, God might have to take an Avatar (as and when such risks arise). Normally such risks do not happen often. The normal tug-of-war between Dharma and Adharma is due to the combined impressions of all the human beings.

Some parts of the world are torn by war while there is peace in the rest of the world. There are terrorist attacks that happen once in a while even in otherwise peaceful locations. All these variations are part of the intricate web of our previous accumulated impressions.

Our environment is exclusively designed by us according to our past deeds. Whenever there is a slight imbalance between Dharma and Adharma, there are Ascending Avatars who can take over the task of bringing back the balance. Only in exceptional cases, there will be a need for a Descending Avatar.

God is capable of changing the environment without having to descend himself as an Avatar.

Example: Gandhi came to India from South Africa, not with the intention of leading a freedom movement. God did the job through him.

Therefore, it is not important to know who does the job. It is important to know that we have to follow Dharma and never do Adharma. If we do not, we will be punished at the appropriate time in an appropriate manner.

The good and bad always come together. Each one of us is prompted to be good or bad depending on our past-accumulated preferences. We are supposed to censor such thoughts and convert only what is Dharma into action. If we do this, we are good else, we are bad. Our own impressions fructify into experiences and maintain the balance between Adharma and Dharma.

Example: Hitler met his downfall at the appropriate time so that Dharma is protected.

Thus, God manifests himself in many ways to ensure the Adharma is kept at the required level and the Dharma is preserved so that the universe is sustained.

Teaching 53: We should live according to the Dharma prescribed in the Vedas

Chapter 4: Source of knowledge [Verses: 07 - 08]

4.7 Oh Arjuna, whenever there is a decline of Dharma and increase in Adharma then indeed, I manifest Myself.

4.8 For the protection of the righteous ones, for the destruction of the unrighteous ones and for the establishment of Dharma, I take birth in every age.

Gita Lesson - 1002: Ascending Descending Avatars << Home >>

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