Dharma

Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre…
Every field of action is a field of Dharma – the field of battle of the Kurus, though battle in itself might be adharmic, was becoming a field of dharma. There is always a question of ethics, morality, norms and values.
Any situation, in this sense, becomes a situation of ‘volition’ – of willingness and decision making. The more so with the area of voluntary action, of development work and welfare, where the basic choice is of a willingness to serve.

Dharma and Mahabharata
Story told by Sage Markandeya to Dharmaraja while the Pandavas were in exile (vanavasa)
Brahmin Kausika – great austerity in brahmacarya – crane, perched above, shat on his head – he looked up in natural anger – and the bird was consumed in fire. ..Kausika – sorry for the unwitting destruction of the bird.
Went seeking alms – a housewife, busy with daily chores – asked to wait – utensils, master of the house needing her service, cared and fed, then came with alms – ‘sorry for keeping u waiting’ – angry – this is not fair – ‘be not angry with me; I kept u waiting only because, I had been first doing my primary duty towards my husband. I am no crane to be burned by your violent thought.’
Brahmin was mortified – she further told – oh great one, you do not know the secret of duty, and the evil of anger; go to Mithila and be instructed by Dharmavyadha, living in the city. – In all humility, he went ahead. There he found out Dharmavyadha, to his shock, a butcher, selling meat.
Dharmavyadha called out: Revered sir, is all things well with you? Have you been sent by that revered Brahmin lady? Please come.
Stupefied! Went home, found a very happy home, got instructed in the great duty of family and returned to take care of his parents, whom he had neglected.
Gita XVIII, 45-46
Sve sve karmanyabhiratah samsiddhim labhate narah
Sva karma niratah siddhim yatha vindati tacchrnu
Following each his own activity, a man finally achieves perfection. Now hear how the performer of action prescribed according to qualifications attains perfection. (45)
H. Being reaches perfection by the honest pursuit of whatever calling falls to one’s lot in life. Irrespective of the occupation, and mode of its choice – circumstances. Spirit of sincerity, faithfulness…
Yatah pravrttibhutanam yena sarvamidam tatam
Svakarmana tam abhyarcya siddhim vindati manavah
By whom is the existence of all entities; by whom all this is pervaded
Through worshipping him, by one’s own action prescribed according to qualifications, a man attains perfection. (46)

ENCHANTED POOL
Exile – fire-kindler by a deer – hunting - no avail - very thirsty – in search of water – a pool – a yaksha – in spite of warning – all died – then Yudhishthira – answers questions
What rescues man in danger? – Courage.
By studying which science one becomes wise? – No science; from association with the great (satsangati).
More nobly sustaining than earth? – Mother
Higher than sky? – Father
Fleeter than wind? – Mind
More blighted than withered straw? – sorrow-stricken heart.
What befriends a traveler? – learning
Who accompanies man in death? – Dharma alone.
What is Happiness? Result of good conduct.
What is that abandoning which man will be loved by all? – Pride.
What is the loss which yields joy and not sorrow? Anger
What is that by giving up man becomes rich? Desire.
What makes one a real brahmana? Good conduct; not the learning of any Vedas.

Yaksha, pleased. One of your brothers can now be revived. Choose.
Nakula.
Why? Dharma. I am surviving as Pandu’s son from Kunti; at least one from his wife Madri also should survive, hence Nakula.
All survived.
Test by Yamraja, the God of Dharma.


Receiving Favours and being forced to lose the track of dharma.
Salya, the brother of Madri, who was received by Duryodhana, and hence had to repay hospitality by being an alley.

CASTE
Uthanga, Krishna’s Brahmin friend of childhood. After the kurukshetra war they met. Uthanga asked about the well being of his cousins, Pandavas and Kauravas, and was aghast when he came to know of the disaster. Prepared for a curse on Krishna, who did not do things to avert the tragedy.
Krishna explained and showed his Viswarupa and Uthanga was happy. Krishna wanted to give him a boon; but he did not want any. However, on insistence – may I find water wherever I go. Granted.
Once, in great thirst, in a desert, remembered the boon; a Nishada in rags, and pulling a few dogs, appeared. Offered water from his water skin. Refused; in spite of insistence, refused.
Then asked Krishna why thus, and immediately realized that it was no Nishada, but a test for his integrity and philosophy.
Krishna – it was Indra with amruta, who on my insistence agreed to give it in the form of a chandala, to test your jnana, which was thought to have transcended the mortals.

Dharma of Dan (CHARITY)
After the war, aswamedha. A weasel, half gold, came in rolled around, and laughed in a loud human voice. All were shocked.
Then he narrated the story: The pound of maize flour of the Brahmin of Kurukshetra. V. poor. Lived on gleanings – wife, son and daughter-in-law. Ucchavrtti.
Sever drought. One day, with great difficulty gathered some grain. Ground, and about to eat. A Brahmin guest, very tired and hungry.
Brahmin gave his share to the guest. Still hungry and unsatisfied, his wife too. Similarly, all the four. The guest satisfied; praised their hospitality and sacrifice;
Chariots came and they were all RELEASED and accepted into higher realms of swarga.
The weasel got the fragrance wafted from the flour of the brahmana, went there to find only small crusts left over on the floor, rolled on that, and became golden.
When compared to that, this is nothing.