This is a conversation between Arjun and Shreya.
They are discussing about the concept of Duty Boundedness in Sanatana Dharma.
Hello Shreya.
Arjun, I’ve been reflecting on the concept of Dharma and its necessity at an individual level. Did you know that the word Dharma originates from the root "धृ dhŗ", signifying ‘to sustain’ or ‘to hold’?
That’s fascinating, Shreya. In nature, every entity possesses primary and secondary qualities. An entity’s existence is defined by its primary quality; without it, it ceases to be recognized as itself.
Exactly! Take fire, for instance. Its inherent heat is its primary quality, while the flame is secondary. Without heat, we can’t call it fire. Similarly, humans have consciousness as their primary quality, while physical characteristics are secondary.
The pursuit of desires is inherent in human nature, aiming for their fulfillment and deriving happiness. Desires can be justifiable or unjustifiable, and the means to achieve them can be legitimate or unethical.
The Kathopanishad emphasizes choosing long-term welfare (shrēyas) over short-term gratification (prēyas). Pursuing unjust desires through illegitimate means should be renounced, while just desires should be fulfilled through ethical means.
Sanātana Dharma embodies a way of life governed by injunctions and prohibitions to lead a contented life that brings inner joy and lasting happiness. It fosters unselfish love for others and is the wellspring of virtues.
Conversely, living contrary to Sanātana Dharma and nurturing hatred towards others brings unhappiness and unrest. Sanātana Dharma provides a blueprint for harmonious coexistence in society.
The Manu Smriti outlines that humans have five debts to repay: to the Gods, Sages and Teachers, Ancestors, Fellow Humans, and Nature. It is incumbent upon the debtor to repay the debt to the creditor. Fulfilling our ordained duties is the only way to repay these debts.
From our earliest days, we are nurtured within a spiritual environment. It’s customary for many households to venerate a family deity, known as the ‘kula devata’. Worshipping one’s family deity is considered auspicious.
Designating a sanctified space in your home for a shrine to honour your chosen deity, presenting offerings with faith and devotion, is a way to repay the debt to the gods (dēva ŗnam).
Devotees who revere the divine with unwavering devotion, known as ‘ananya bhakti’, embrace life’s highs and lows as divine blessings. The Bhagavad Gita assures that the Lord will safeguard the spiritual and worldly welfare of such devotees.
The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the accessibility of devotion: “Whoever offers Me with devotion and a pure mind, a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or a little water - I accept their offering.”
By expressing gratitude and engaging in devout worship, humanity can repay the debt to the gods. The lives of great devotees offer inspiration for how we might fulfill this duty.
Understanding and practicing Dharma helps us lead a harmonious life, ensuring the well-being of all and contributing to a righteous society.
Arjun, I’ve been reflecting on our debt to the sages and teachers. The ancient sages, through their austere penances, discerned profound truths and generously enshrined them in the Vēdas and Vēdantic scriptures for humanity’s benefit.
Indeed, Shreya. Maharshi Vyasa, in his divine wisdom, categorized the Vēdic hymns into four distinct Vēdas and composed epic texts like the Mahābhārata and Shrimad Bhagavatam. He initiated the guru-shishya tradition to teach these scriptures to his disciples.
Vyasa entrusted the Rig Vēda to Paila, the Yajur Vēda to Vaisampayana, the Sama Vēda to Jaimini, and the Atharva Vēda to Sumantu, thus disseminating them throughout the world. The ‘world of knowledge’ we possess today is a testament to Vyasa’s grace.
Absolutely. The disciples became gurus themselves, perpetuating the flow of knowledge. This enduring legacy ensures that the wealth of wisdom remains accessible to us. It is our generational duty to preserve and pass this heritage to our successors.
A guru is not merely a teacher but a beacon of knowledge in any field of expertise. They illuminate the path for their disciples by dispelling the darkness of ignorance. Their contributions are eternally cherished and must be revered forever.
Spiritual gurus hold a revered position as they are the custodians of sacred wisdom from texts like the Purāṇās and the Bhagavad Gita. True comprehension and assimilation of these teachings are essential for a student.
Regular study fortifies this knowledge, which must then be lived out in daily life. By internalizing these teachings, one becomes a role model to others. It is crucial to impart this wisdom to family and peers.
In the revered tradition of imparting wisdom, the guru occupies a pivotal role. It is customary to offer ‘dakshina’, a token of gratitude and respect, to the guru who has enriched one’s life with education.
This practice is a profound acknowledgment of the guru’s contribution to the disciple’s intellectual and spiritual growth. The ancient adage "mata, pita, guru, daivam" places the guru in a position of high esteem, surpassed only by one’s parents.
The Epics and Purāṇās recount numerous instances where disciples have gone to great lengths to repay their debt to their gurus. These acts of great sacrifice and devotion underscore the value placed on knowledge and the sacred bond between guru and shishya.
By continuing the tradition of honouring gurus and offering of dakshina, we sustain a legacy of learning and respect that has been the cornerstone of Sanātana Dharma. We repay our debt to gurus (ŗshi ŗnam) through gratitude and devout worship.
Understanding and practicing this debt helps us lead a harmonious life, ensuring the well-being of all and contributing to a righteous society.
Arjun, I’ve been thinking about the profound debt of gratitude we owe to our parents. The sacrifices they make for our welfare are debts that can never be fully repaid.
Absolutely, Shreya. It’s our solemn duty to honour our parents, ensuring their comfort throughout their lives. We must care for them in their old age, preserve their dignity, and attend to their every need.
This respectful conduct should extend not only to our own parents but also to other elderly kin and those who do not have caregivers. In the event of a parent’s demise, we must fulfill filial obligations through prescribed funerary rites, offering tarpana, and performing charitable acts in their memory.
Yes, discharging these duties is called repaying parental debt or pitŗ ŗnam. The legendary tale of Shravana Kumara epitomizes devotion to one’s parents and serves as an enduring example of the reverence and loyalty we owe to those who give us life.
Understanding and practicing this debt helps us lead a life of gratitude and respect, ensuring the well-being of our parents and contributing to a righteous society.
By honouring our parents and fulfilling our duties to them, we repay our debt to the ancestors, ensuring their legacy lives on and fostering a harmonious family and community life.
Arjun, I've been thinking about how no individual can exist in isolation within society. Our community living is founded on mutual respect and understanding, which manifests in how we treat the elderly, the young, and our peers.
Absolutely, Shreya. Hospitality, empathy, kindness, generosity, and community service are reflections of our character. They’re how we’re recognized and remembered within society.
In modern democracies, people themselves have become the sovereigns of their nations through their elected leaders. Businesses and industrial houses have also embraced social responsibilities, supporting philanthropic endeavours and repaying the debt to humans (manushya ŗṇam) as corporate citizens.
However, every common citizen also has the responsibility to repay the debt to humans. Engaging in charitable activities like protecting temples, distributing food, organizing blood donations, providing healthcare, and aiding in disaster relief operations contributes to the betterment of humanity and society.
Moving on to our debt to nature, humanity must acknowledge its role as a mere component within the vast mosaic of creation. We’ve harnessed our intellect for survival, often exploiting the natural world for our benefit, leading to a global environmental crisis.
To mitigate these impacts, protective measures are necessary. These include the judicious application of chemical fertilizers, preventing pollutants from contaminating rivers and oceans, and regulating aerosol sprays that contribute to atmospheric degradation.
It's also crucial to extend compassion towards domesticated animals and show kindness to urban wildlife. Ensuring wild fauna have ample natural habitats and water sources is equally important. Restoring depleted forests and promoting awareness campaigns focused on vegetation, waste management, and animal welfare are critical steps.
The ancient adage ‘Vrikshhō Rakshati Rakshitah’—meaning ‘those who protect trees are protected in return’—underscores the significance of arboreal stewardship in environmental conservation.
By embracing personal accountability for the environment, we can contribute to the collective effort of ecological redemption, thereby fulfilling our moral obligation to the planet and its myriad inhabitants.
Understanding and living with a spirit to repay these five debts helps us lead a harmonious life, ensuring the well-being of all and contributing to a righteous and sustainable society.