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१३४
been originated from the Sanskrit root 'Dhr' which means to provide base. So Dharma has been defined as that on which the world (loka) is based. It is also that which is based upon world is human life. In short, Dharma and world or human life are based on each other. Therefore in the Jātaka it has been said -
“An individual is lost when his Dharma is lost."
Manu has identefied ten characteristics of Dharma.“ They are Patience (Dhairya), Forgiveness (Kșamā), Mind-Aversion (Manonigraha), Non-stealing (Acaurya), Cleanliness (Šauca), Sense-Aversion (Indrinigraha), Reason (Viveka), Knowledge (Jñāna), Truth (Satya), NonAnger (Akrodha). Mahātmā Vidura while focussing light on the importance of religion has said, “It is Dharma due to which Rșis have crossed the ocean like world. The whole world is based on Dharma. Dharma causes the improvement of deities. Even economy is established in Dharma." A well known Western thinker, G. Galloway, has defined religion as - 'Religion is man's faith in a power beyond himself whereby he seeks to satisfy emotional needs and gain stability of life and which he expresses in acts of worship and services.
Ācārya Tulasi has defined Dharma in the following way -
Dharma is a unity between knowledge (Jñāna), faith (Darśana), happiness (Ananda) and power (Śakti).'
Again he says that universal tolerance, harmony, humble tendency towards truth are the basic elements of religion. On the whole, religion is that which brings harmony, happiness, holiness and stability in human life. This definition may be analysed in the following way -
Harmony - Harmony consists of these co-operative elements1) Harmony between individual and individual. 2) Harmony between individual and society. 3) Harmony between society and society 4) Harmony between society and nation. 5) Harmony between nation and nation.
The failure of harmony in one concern may disturb the harmony of all concerns.
