Dharma

Dharma is a wide concept which can be roughly translated as righteousness, inclusive of inclination and initiative towards righteous action.

Hindu Dharma, has at its basis the varna and ashrama.

Dharma is outlined in the Smritis, specifically the Dharma Sastras. Kalpa Sutras, a Vedanga, contain Dharma Sutras, Srauta Sutras, Grihya Sutras and Sulba Sutras. Of these, Dharma Sutras outline Dharma. Because of the critical importance of grhastha ashrama to the society, Grihya sutras (to be followed by Grhastha) are separately mentioned. These Sutras are specific to the adherents of each Veda Shakha. There are many other metrical codes written, for instance by Manu, Parashara and Vasistha, that serve the same purpose. Apart from these, the Itihasa and Puranas detail the nature of Dharma and illustrate through stories what is Dharma in various life situations.

Sutras are guidelines and not impositions. It is a guide to persons desiring to go by a particular path as to what benefits and what retards them in the path. The "prayaschitta" for deviation also, only applies for someone wanting to go by a specific path.

Smritis, for instance the Manusmriti are more of a record of what is/was, rather than a prescription. It is a statement of what kind of social setup existed and what are the norms followed. Parashara smriti, being more recent, is said to be applicable to kaliyuga.

So the following are the texts needed to understanding Dharma:

1. Sutras (Dharma, Grihya)
2. Smritis
   • Metrical codes like Manusmriti
     • Itihasa Puranas

There are three sources of knowledge of Dharma (Manusmriti 2.6-16):

1. Through scriptures
2. Through elders
3. By observing the behavior of noble men in different situations

The concepts involved in understanding Dharma:

1. Varna Dharma
2. Ashrama Dharma
3. Karma Concept

These are overlapping and not exclusive concepts.

Also, there are different kinds of Dharma for an individual, based on the different roles he plays as an individual (vyakti), in a family (kutumba), as a professional (varna), in a society (samaja) and in exceptional/abnormal situations (apaddharma).