DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF RELIGION (DHARMA) IN HINDUISM. (contd.)
By Swami Dwiroopanand. (Formerly Dr. H. K. Gandhi )
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4. Period of Six Darshans. (Around 1000 BC).

After assuming above mentioned different meanings in Vedas, Smrutees and Upanishads, the word Dharma now gets newer meanings and definitions from the Darshnik Rishies.

Six Hindu Darshans. These Scriptures are for Vision of Cosmic Divine Light. Poorva Mimansa, Nyaya, Vaishaishik, Yoga, Sankhya and Vedanta are main six Hindu Darshans. 
Note that YOGA is just one of the six Darshans. First two steps of Yoga indicate 10 words which are like 10 moral commandments of any religion. These are:- "Truthfulness, Non-violence, no steeling, no greed, celibacy, contentment or satisfaction in all situations, cleanliness, endurance of some difficulties, self-meditation and total surrender to God (Bhakti).

(a). In Poorva Mimansa Jaimini Rishi declares, "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha".

It means "Religion protects those who protect religion". We observe this truth in all sectarian religions (Sampradayas).

(b). In Vaishashik Darshan sage Kanad Rishi declares, "By observing Dharma one uplifts himself and the society also gets uplifted".

"Good deeds and behaviors of noble people inspire others to follow in their foot-steps". (Gita Ch -3- V-21)

(c). In Sankhya Darshan, famous Kapil Muni indicates:-

"Life is a journey from Tamas (Darkness or ignorance) to Rajas (actions done with knowledge to fulfill desires), and finally from Rajas to Sat (From selfish actions to selfless benevolent deeds). Knowledge of correct noble goals transforms an ignorant (Tamasik - Aasura) into a Selfish (Rajsik). Then duty bound actions transforms a selfish into a noble personality (Rajsik into Satvik).

5. Start of organized religions in India.

The earlier scriptures were created in the Sanskrit language. The founder of Jainism Lord Mahavira created religious literature in a variant of Sanskrit language- the Ardha-magdhi, and Lord Buddha preached in another language - the Pali.

Jainism and Buddhism. Jainism declares "Ahimsa parmo Dharmaha". Nonviolence is the highest moral code in any religion. Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha started Jainism and Buddhism as organized religions in India during the 6th cent. BC. Both were royal Kshatriya princes and not Brahmins. They studied all previous scriptures, practiced Yoga and redefined religion. Both laid great stress on nonviolence as a most important vow of any religion. After the 6th cent. BC Vedic Brahminism (preached and practiced by average priests) got divided into 3 main religious streams, namely Jainism, Buddhism and unclearly understood Hinduism.

In those times goats and sheep were slain and offered to Vedic deity God Fire (Agni) to please another Vedic deity God Rain (Indra). Indra is also a Puranic God of imaginary heaven. Such rituals stopped after the start of these two religions. An era of 1500 years of peace and prosperity came in India. This is a well recorded true history.

6. Religion gets linked to Self - SwaDharma.

The real message of Hinduism is in the Gita. This scripture was created during 5th cent. BC. Dharma is linked with individual in Hinduism. The Gita shows a path of understanding divine self within and seeing One Supreme formless God- the maker of this wonderful Universe. The Gita and Mahabharat indicate that correct Dharma is Swa-Dharma. 'Dharma' assumes its real and correct meaning of 'Swa-Dharma' or Atma-Dharma. It means "my duty".

Moral duties are always linked with individuals. The Gita teaches Swa-Dharma to all intellectuals having curiosity like Arjuna. Religion teaches and imparts freedom of actions for every individual.

Dhrama means duty consciousness. Every individual in a family, a society or a country must perform his/her obligatory duties. The same individual has to play different roles during life, in different circumstances and different age periods.

By Yoga meditation when one reaches the state Nirvana, the ego-self merges with the Supreme maker of the universe. This is the final goal of human life indicated in the Gita.
Search of Self (ATMA) by Yoga meditation and search of God through search of divine self within was the Hindu way of life. Study of the visible truths and perfect laws of mother nature working in an equal manner on all human beings, animals and the plant kingdom was well observed by great saints in the past. Living in harmony with nature in simple manner was preached by the Upanishad Rishies.