Light Of Life

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 30

Truth is the Dharma (nature) of the soul. Dharma is nothing but accepting and acting upon truth. Each Dharma has its own definition; its own implication depending upon your point of view. The duty that we have to do by our parents is one kind of Dharma. Doing our duty by our Nation is national duty or patriotic duty. Supporting one's family is one kind of Dharma and saving human beings from difficulties and helping them is another kind of Dharma called humanity. So Dharma does not have any single definition. It has many definitions. But there is one comprehensive definition of Dharma and that is:"Purity of the mind''. The supreme Dharma is to purify the soul by discarding its impurities and to liberate the soul from all kinds of derogations. Dharma is, therefore, necessary to help you to organise your life properly.
You may have a beautiful car, but it will be dangerous to drive in it if it has no brakes. If you drive such a car, there will be, surely, an accident. In the same manner in life also Dharma functions like brakes, placing restraint on our propensities and actions and preventing us from pursuing the path of evil. It prevents you from entertaining ignoble thoughts and feelings. When you follow a wrong path in your life, Dharma stops you from pursuing that path. Therefore, Dharma is deemed an absolute necessity in life, from all points of view.
Do you know the consequences of excessive affluence and pleasures? For instance, in America on account of worldliness and excessive wealth, people have gone backwards. They have gone far backwards spiritually, transgressing ethical limitations and ignoring lofty ideals. their affluence has not brought them real satisfaction. have had to go backwards spiritually. fashion having wandered away, has returned. Now some Americans grow tufts like orthodox Indians; they wear the clothes of mendicants; carry or wear garlands of beads and engage themselves in spiritual prayers addressed to the
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