The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) urges us to abide by Dharma at all costs. But, what is Dharma taught by Guru Nanak? What we see out there are organized or man-made religions with their individual antagonistic adherents etc. All organized or man-made religions are Mazhab (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ), NOT Dharma. Mazhab (ਮਜ਼ਹਬ) can NOT be Dharma! Dharma is only ONE in the universe — the universal Dharma of divine Virtues Guru Nanak teaches the entire humanity.
That being said, the Guru Shabad (Upadesh-Message…) urges us to build the fence of Dharma around. In fact, the Gurbani calls this earth ‘Dharam Saal–ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ’ (the place for Jeeva to practice Dharma).
- ਪੰਚ ਮਨਾਏ ਪੰਚ ਰੁਸਾਏ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਵਸਾਏ ਪੰਚ ਗਵਾਏ ॥੧॥ ਇਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਨਗਰੁ ਵੁਠਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਦੁਰਤੁ ਗਇਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਾਚ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਕਰਿ ਦੀਨੀ ਵਾਰਿ ॥ ਫਰਹੇ ਮੁਹਕਮ ਗੁਰ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਿ ॥੨॥ : I persuade the five sense-organs of action (hand, feet, tongue/speech, anus and genital) to conform to ethics. And I restrain the five sense-organs are of knowledge or perception (eyes, ears, nose/smell, tongue/taste and skin) from falling prey to temptations. I keep in mind the five (Virtues of truth, contentment, compassion, Dharma and patience) and dispel the five (vices/Bikaar of lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride). ||1|| This way the body and mind (the field of Spiritual life) becomes inhabited (with Virtues), my brethren. When the Guru’s spiritual Wisdom firmly gets embedded in the mind, then transgressions are no longer committed. ||1||Pause|| I thus built the fence of true Dharma (of Virtues) around (my body and mind). By reflecting on the Guru’s spiritual Giyan-Wisdom I made my physical senses so strong, as if I have installed firm gates (to block the entry of vices/Bikaar in my mind). ||2|| (sggs 430).
- ਮਨੁ ਹਾਲੀ ਕਿਰਸਾਣੀ ਕਰਣੀ ਸਰਮੁ ਪਾਣੀ ਤਨੁ ਖੇਤੁ ॥ ਨਾਮੁ ਬੀਜੁ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਗਾ ਰਖੁ ਗਰੀਬੀ ਵੇਸੁ ॥ : Make your mind the hard working farmer, your good deeds the farmer, your body the farm and your hard work the water for your crops. Let divine Naam be the seed, contentment the leveler (Suhaagaa) and your humility the protective fence. (sggs 595).
The word ‘Dharma’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhri’, which means ‘to hold’.
Therefore, ‘Dharma’ refers to that innate characteristic or Eternal Nature (Original Nature …) which constantly exists with a particular object. To put it otherwise, Dharma refers to that Natural Law which cannot be changed. Accordingly, the term Dharma is the Eternal function or Original Nature of all beings in relationship with the One Creator.
For example, the mind’s Original Nature is Jot Saroop. Also, heat is the natural Dharma of fire; liquidity is the natural Dharma of water; and so on. Hence, the word Dharma refers to the Eternal Virtue (ਗੁਣ) of all beings, which can not be taken away from them. It expresses the vital or Essential Nature of men, animals, all other creatures, metals, and so on. Dharma, therefore, is a comprehensive term that refers to the Immutable and Changeless Cosmic Order (Hukam…), that pervades every particle of the Cosmos, and runs the entire Universe and all beings. Thus, in the broader sense, Dharma is what upholds the Universe.
- ਆਪੇ ਤਖਤੁ ਰਚਾਇਓਨੁ ਆਕਾਸ ਪਤਾਲਾ ॥ ਹੁਕਮੇ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਾਜੀਅਨੁ ਸਚੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲਾ ॥: The Creator has established this entire Universe in between the sky and the nether world as His throne. By His Hukam (System-Rule-Law of Nature) the Creator created the earth, a true place to practice Dharma. (sggs 785).
- ਰਾਤੀ ਰੁਤੀ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ॥ ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਥਾਪਿ ਰਖੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੀਅ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕੇ ਰੰਗ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਨੇਕ ਅਨੰਤ ॥ ਕਰਮੀ ਕਰਮੀ ਹੋਇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਆਪਿ ਸਚਾ ਦਰਬਾਰੁ ॥ ਤਿਥੈ ਸੋਹਨਿ ਪੰਚ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ॥ ਨਦਰੀ ਕਰਮਿ ਪਵੈ ਨੀਸਾਣੁ ॥ ਕਚ ਪਕਾਈ ਓਥੈ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗਇਆ ਜਾਪੈ ਜਾਇ ॥੩੪॥ : In the midst of nights, seasons, and days of the weeks. In the midst of air, water (i.e. oceans etc), fire and nether regions. The earth is set therein for humans to practice Dharma (i.e. living a life of Divine Virtues, righteousness etc) for their Spiritual growth / self-perfection. Within it reside creatures of various forms and countless names. It is within it that actions committed are observed (by the Cosmic Law of consequences – Hukam). The Creator is true and true is His ‘Darbar’ (Court, justice – Hukam). Within it the foremost are exalted and make themselves acceptable (through their deeds in that system of justice – Hukam). Through their (Virtuous) actions they earn the Divine Grace and become emblematic. Integrity and falsity in terms of Spiritual growth are judged therein. Says Nanak — (I) have walked on the Spiritual Path and have Realized / Understood; now you walk on this Spiritual Path and Realize / Understand yourself (i.e. it is only upon walking the Path and Realizing one discovers if one succeeded or failed). ॥34॥ (sggs 7).
In short, Dharma is eternally integral with everything in this Universe. It can not be taken away just as the heat cannot be taken away from fire; just as liquidity cannot be taken away from the water; just as energy cannot be taken away from the electricity; and so on.
- ਇਹੁ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਸਭੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਿਸੁ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਚੇ ਕੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੋਤਿ ॥ ਗੁਹਜ ਰਤਨ ਵਿਚਿ ਲੁਕਿ ਰਹੇ ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਕਢੈ ਖੋਤਿ ॥ : This body (or human life) is all about practicing Dharma (‘ਕਿਵ ਸਚਿਆਰਾ ਹੋਈਐ’, ‘ਹੁਕਮਿ ਰਜਾਈ ਚਲਣਾ’….) in which the Creator’s ‘Jot‘ (Light-Conscience) is within. Hidden or embedded within (this ‘Jot‘ or Conscience) are the Jewels (of Godly Virtues, Wisdom etc); only some ‘rare‘ seekers dig them out from the depth of Conscience through internalization of the Message of the Shabad by becoming ‘Sevak’ (Sikh: learner, seeker, Gurmukh). (sggs 309).
We cannot escape actions in life. For every situation calls for action from individual beings. And every act produces some results or effects, which takes one either closer or farther away from her/her Mool (ਮੂਲ, Source, Origin, Jot).
- ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆ ਵਾਚੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਕਰਮੀ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣੀ ਕੇ ਨੇੜੈ ਕੇ ਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਜਿਨੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਗਏ ਮਸਕਤਿ ਘਾਲਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਕੇਤੀ ਛੁਟੀ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥ : Good and bad deeds are determined in the light (Hadoor) of Hukam (Cosmic Law or System-Rule-Order of Nature). My own deeds determine whether I realize the Creator or otherwise (i.e. far from realization). Those who diligently and arduously Realized Naam (Spiritual Giyan, Wisdom, divine Virtues), they realize God (become ‘Sachiaaraa-ਸਚਿਆਰਾ’ in their spiritual Journey). Nanak, they both liberate themselves and those who tread with them as well (from the primary affliction of Koorh-ਕੂੜ). ॥1॥ (sggs 8).
Dharma is present when one is aligned with the divine Hukam (Universal System-Rule-Law of Nature, ਕੁਦਰਤੀ ਨਿਯਮ…) in one’s thought, word and deed (‘ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਇਕੁ’). Furthermore, Dharma has no equivalent synonym. It implies the laws and disciplines pertaining to the Truth (accepting the divine Hukam) and is relevant to all times, all places and all peoples. Additionally, the effects of Dharma manifest in the way we lead our lives.
- ਮਨ ਬਚ ਕ੍ਰਮ ਗੋਵਿੰਦ ਅਧਾਰੁ ॥ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਛੁਟਿਓ ਬਿਖੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥੩॥: He who has made God as the only support for his mind, words and deeds, has gotten rid of the poisonous worldly bonds of Maya ||3|| (sggs 197).
- ਇਕੋ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਵਰਤਦਾ ਏਕਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਕਾਰਾ ॥: The divine Hukam alone prevails throughout the world and there is only one authority (Hukam: System-Rule-Law of Nature) over every one. (sggs 425).
- ਮੰਨੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਠਾਕ ਨ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਮੰਨੈ ਮਗੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਪੰਥੁ ॥ ਮੰਨੈ ਧਰਮ ਸੇਤੀ ਸਨਬੰਧੁ ॥ : The spiritual State of BECOMING (Naam, Shabad, Gurbani, Enlightened, Virtues, Wisdom etc.) removed obstacles from the path of Realization of the Creator. The Spiritual State of BECOMING precludes traversing prescribed path (by the different religions, etc.). The spiritual State of BECOMING is a State of Association with His Hukam (sggs 3).
The Gurbani’s Wisdom (Gurmat …) is the very Essence of Dharma. The Gurbani makes it very clear that without the true Wisdom there can be no real Dharma (i.e. there can be no living a life of true Dharma-ਧਰਮ…).
Absence of Dharma in life constitutes falsehood, and falsehood leads to corruption (Manmukh-Saakat-Mayadhaaree mindsets that opposes the Hukam – ਹੁਕਮ ਦਾ ਵਿਰੋਧ…).
- ਕੁਬੁਧਿ ਡੂਮਣੀ ਕੁਦਇਆ ਕਸਾਇਣਿ ਪਰ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਘਟ ਚੂਹੜੀ ਮੁਠੀ ਕ੍ਰੋਧਿ ਚੰਡਾਲਿ ॥ ਕਾਰੀ ਕਢੀ ਕਿਆ ਥੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਚਾਰੇ ਬੈਠੀਆ ਨਾਲਿ ॥ : Evil intent, cruelty, habit of slandering others, and anger are the vices which pollute the mind. When these four vices are in the mind, then what good are the ceremonial lines drawn around the cooking area. (sggs 91).
In essence, Dharma is just an another name for Giyan-Wisdom.
- ਕਬੀਰਾ ਜਹਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਤਹ ਧਰਮੁ ਹੈ ਜਹਾ ਝੂਠੁ ਤਹ ਪਾਪੁ ॥ : O Kabeer, where there is Giyan (Spiritual Wisdom) there is Dharma; where there is falsehood, there is sin. (sggs 1372).
- ਏਕੋ ਧਰਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੈ ਸਚੁ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪੂਰਾ ਜੁਗਿ ਜੁਗਿ ਸੋਈ ॥ : One who firmly internalizes the ONE Dharma or Truth (Sach-Creator, Virtues), through the Guru’s teachings he spiritually becomes stable against vices forever. (sggs 1188).
Dharma makes oneGod-Oriented (Bhagat, Daas, Jan, Gurmukh …), not Sansaaree (worldly or Mayaic person). The Gurbani assures us once inside the fence (ਕਾਰ, ਵਾੜ …) of Dharma, none can plunder us.
- ਤੈ ਸਹਿ ਦਿਤੀ ਵਾੜਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਖੇਤੁ ਨ ਛਿਜਈ ॥੨॥: Now the Guru Shabad has put up the fence (of divine Naam: Wisdom / Virtues); Nanak, my fields (of my spiritual life) can not be plundered again. ||2|| (sggs 521).
Some Related Posts:
- Gurbani Speaks of one Universal Dharma of Virtues
- Develop Partnership with Virtues
- Without Giaan, there can be no Dhiaan and Dharma
- Gurbani on Absurdity of Conflicts among Man-Made Religions
- Gurbani on Religious Paraphernalia
- Jum Doot, Dharma Raj, and Chitr Gupt
- There can be no Dhian and Dharma without Giyan