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## Kanta Dristi: Dharma is the nature of the self, karma is the opposite.
(521) The glory of Dharma is unparalleled. It is essential to understand the true nature of Dharma. Here, "Dharma" refers to the eternal, everlasting Atmadharma (Dharma of the soul). Jain Dharma is its synonym, because the pure soul, having attained its inherent pure form, is called "Jin," meaning the liberated Lord; and that Jin, the pure soul, is Dharma itself, which is Jain Dharma. Everything else is karma. Karma is what cuts and binds the soul, and Jinavachan (the teachings of the Jinas) is what cuts it. This is the essence of the knowledge of the wise. This Atmadharma is inherent in the soul, eternal, everlasting, and unaffected by time. To remain in this state of the soul, to hold onto the soul, is called "Dharma"; and that is the true Dharma. Because knowledge, perception, and conduct are the inherent qualities of the soul, or the pure, single, all-pervading, knowing consciousness that is the nature of the soul, to live in it, to remain in it, to hold onto the soul, is Dharma of the soul. "The nature of the object is Dharma. The nature of the soul is Atmadharma." Thus, to live in the pure state of knowledge and perception of the soul is Dharma. But the world is unaware of this true nature of Dharma. Everyone in the world goes around saying "Dharma, Dharma," but they don't know the essence of Dharma. They don't know that after taking refuge in the feet of the Jineshwar, one will not create any karma. This is what the great soul Anandghanji sang in the Mahagita.
People go around searching for Dharma in other people's homes, but they don't see that Dharma is in their own father's home! They behave like the musk deer! The musk deer has musk in its navel, but it doesn't know where the fragrance comes from. So, it wanders around searching for it! Similarly, this Dharma resides within one's own soul, it hasn't gone anywhere else, yet people, in their ignorance, search for it outside, hoping to find it, and they become frustrated and disappointed. They ignore the supreme treasure that is right in front of their own eyes, and they go out searching for it, only to be defeated! (See page 480). "You go around searching for Dharma, but you don't find it in your own home. Just like the musk deer doesn't know about the musk, it doesn't know the essence of the fragrance."
"Shri Simandhar Saheb listens." - Shri Yashovijayji, S. Ga, St.
Thus, this Dharma resides within one's own soul, or the soul itself...