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Thus word 'Dharma' has many meanings, but to understand it in a simple way, it means 'Duty'. In life, Duty is performed by a father and a son, by a wife and a husband, a brother, to his brother, by a mother and a son. All perform it towards one another. Likewise, there is also a higher duty towards one's own soul. To understand what it is and put it into practice, is our Dharma.
It is the karma that causes for us evil condition in existence (durgati). To destroy such a karma, therefore, is what we owe to our own soul.
Soul's nature is to know all (Kevalgnan) and to see every thing (keval Darshana). It is also as pure and clear in nature, as a crystal (Charitra). It's nature is self-sustaining, not requiring any food(anahari): but as the soul is covered with layers of karmas. realise its own nature. By stopping the influx of new karmas (Samvar) and destroying the karmas that are accummulated (Nirjara), a soul realises its true nature, and becomes free. That is the real duty, over-ridding all other duties, which we owe to our soul. After knowing what needs to be done, how do we make the beginning?
The First Stage of Development of a religious life :
He is far from being free from passions that mislead him to commit sins, but the intensity of such passions becomes considerably less as his out-look on life undergoes a change for better. He, no more covets the temptations of worldly existence, but bears with them as an evil to be escaped from. As light of reason dawns, he learns to observe the propriety-whatever may be the religious beliefs he holds, but he is certainly distinguished by the qualities listed in 'Dharma Bindu' and 'Dharma Sangrah'a as follows:
(1) Abandoning friendship of the wicked. (2) Befriending those who think of our good. (3) Not crossing the bounds of propriety. (4) Following the traditional path. (5) Giving high respect to parents and the teachers of arts. (6) Greatly respecting Guru (Preceptor) and following his
instructions. (7) Practising charity (Dan). (8) Eight-fold worship of God (Ashtaprakari Puja). (9) Discriminating between a Sadhu and a Sadhu (real and
false) ascetic.
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