Dharma is not a sampradaya, cult; panth, path; or a mind-created religion. Dharma is the guna, attribute, Nature has bestowed on every creation — matter and being. The guna of salt is saltiness; it remains salty even if it is washed or crushed. A sandalwood tree has a unique fragrance, fruits have their distinct flavours and juices — their guna, dharma, which cannot be altered.
Man is also created by Nature, so he has to be true to his particular gunas. The dharma of man is to manifest divine qualities, be compassionate, and create beauty and harmony all around. And he is equipped with the intelligence to be thoughtful, sensitive, concerned and considerate about the welfare of all.
A child, by nature, will smile at others and reach out to play even if someone approaches him with maligned intentions. That child-like simplicity and trust form the basic nature of every being. These are sanatan, natural qualities, the guna dharma, as stated in the Bhagwad Gita. To remind, resurrect and establish this, avatars manifest from time to time. They lead by being an example so that man does not lose his manavta – humanity.
The dharma of man is shashwat, sanatan satya – eternal and perpetual truth. Human-created religions usually enslave one to certain ideologies and philosophies. Real dharma is true spirituality that directs and propels one on the path of growth and evolution.
Man is made of five elements, and the qualities of these are to be reflected in the conduct of the being.
These qualities are basic instincts, gunas, that form the manav or human dharma, which need not be soiled by mind tactics.
Religious followers take pride in belonging to a particular religion, and being a real and good human is not their focus.
Meena Om
