Yard [0073] : Life Is A 'Role'r Coaster

Dear Friends,

Namaste!

We have seen how the Brahman (Cosmic Energy) feels lonely (“Ekohum”) and decides to become many (“Bahusyam Prajayayem”). How it produces mass just like a spider creates its own web. (Albert Einstein has established beyond doubt that energy can indeed get converted into mass and vice versa!). How it writes the script, creates world as a stage and becomes several characters on this stage to keep the show going.

The idea is to break the monotony and get entertained for a while. Once all characters have acted out their role and the script comes to an end, the whole show is wound up and the cosmic energy becomes its lonely self all over again.

In order to make the show exciting and ‘real’, the cosmic energy forgets its identity at the beginning of a character’s journey and the character goes off-stage when the identity is re-discovered because the whole journey is about re-discovering the true identity.

During this journey, each character interacts with innumerable other characters, assumes a plethora of shapes, forms and roles and keeps the show going through continuous enactment of its role at any given point in time.

In Yoga Shastra, each character (“being”) is referred to as “Jeeva”, the world as “Jagat” and the author/producer/director/spectator as “Jagdisha” or God. The roles together are referred to as “Dharma”. We have seen definition of Dharma as “Dharayati iti Dharmah” (that which ensures survival, sustenance, enrichment and evolution of Life is “Dharma”). Since the Roles keep the Show going, they can be equated to “Dharma” (or “Dhamma” as referred to by Buddha).

These roles or “Dharma” are of different types. We have already seen three types, viz., “Guna Dharma” (Aptitude), “Vishesh Dharma” (Altitude) and “Samanya Dharma” (Amplitude) of beings.

However, there are further types of “Dharma” that are necessary to be understood in order that we can determine unambiguously and play to perfection our role! Because this alone will take us further on our journey to becoming perfect(ly happy, healthy and progressive). In fact, this is so very imperative that Lord Krishna has stated quite authoritatively, “Swa-DharmeNidhanam Shreyah, Para-Dharmo Bhayavahah” (‘Even death while performing our role is a better option than trying to perform roles that are not ours!’).

So, let’s try to comprehend what is “Swa-Dharma” (our role), “Para-Dharma” (someone else’s role) as well as “A-Dharma” (role conflicting with the Script), “Apad-Dharma” (role to be performed in case of an emergency).

We shall also take examples and case studies to ensure that we understand the nuances, differences and precedence among various “Dharma” types because any misunderstanding in these areas can potentially lead to (and as we shall see, has led to) Waterloo for many an able man.

Let’s then start with the most simple-to-understand Dharma type, viz., “A-Dharma”. Literally, it is an antonym of “Dharma” and since we have seen the definition of “Dharma”, it is very easy to articulate the definition of “A-Dharma” as “Anything that does not sustain, nurture, enrich and evolve life”!

What is the test for unequivocally classifying an activity as either “Dharmic” or “A-Dharmic”?

For this, we have to take the help of our imagination and paint a “what-if?” scenario. What will happen if everybody in the world were to do a particular activity all the time? Will the world (and hence “Life” in its totality) be better off or worse off? If the answer is positive, the activity can be deemed as “Dharmic”. On the other hand, if the Show is likely to pause or get disrupted or stop, the activity is “A-Dharmic”!

Let’s take an example. Consider stealing as an activity. If everyone started to steal at every possible opportunity, would this world be a good place or bad? The answer is obvious! Hence “Stealing” is an “A-Dharmic” activity and must be avoided at all costs (because one is going against the Script, going against the Flow and is bound to pay for it in terms of getting punished by the System which is infallible and works as dispassionately and objectively as the Law of Gravitation for example).

Let’s take another example. Consider another activity – helping the needy. If everyone started to help the needy at every possible opportunity, will that encourage Life on this planet to prosper? Decidedly! So “Helping” is a “Dharmic” activity. And so on!

Does this mean we have to indulge in Dharmic activities at all times? The answer is not so straightforward:

1.    One has to perform “Swa-Dharma” (our role) at all times, places and cost

2.    One should perform “Apad-Dharma” (role in emergencies) only when necessary

3.    One should never perform “Para-Dharma” (somebody else’s role although it might be “Dharmic”)

So let’s understand these three Dharma types in the next article to enjoy further clarity in our thoughts and actions.

Cheers!