The reason for me writing this article stems back to an incident which occurred a few months ago. A group of friends were using a room in my house to do some filming, and one of their younger cousins was there with them. Afterwards everybody got into a discussion about religion, and one of the comments which most people agreed on was that Hinduism is not a religion in the usual sense of the word, but a path to discover your dharma. However my friend’s cousin, who was a few years younger, commented “You keep talking about dharma, but what is dharma?” This was his first and only comment in the whole discussion.

He had a point. Keep on repeating the word ‘Dharma’, and saying how important it is, is pointless unless an attempt is made to try and explain what it means and why it is different to religion as defined in the western sense of a belief system.

A few people tried to explain the meaning of the word to him, but it proved a tough task. Since fools rush where angels dread to tread, I set out to write an article that could capture what Dharma is. Little did I know that the definition would prove so difficult to write in a satisfactory way, and that it was presumptuous for me to even think I could truly do such a thing.

What is Dharma? Why is it relevant to us, in the modern world? Dharma is a cosmic principle that is difficult, if not impossible, to define. To an individual, family, nation or even to plants and animals, Dharma is ones true place in the cosmic process. The eternal principle of Dharma determines the harmonious functions of the cosmic machine. In order that we fulfill our role in the divine play we must behave within our Dharma. That is, we ought to do the right thing, at the right time, which is in harmony with our inner nature and conducive to the greater good. By this we attain balance. To establish balance within ourselves ensures our own welfare and the welfare of society. And opens the path prepared for us by the Divine.

Dharma is a Hindu term which has no direct translation in the English language. Associated word might include morality, ethics, virtue, righteousness and purity. Dharma is all of these, and more. The question naturally arises – how do we know our Dharma? Hinduism doesn’t offer any black and white answer to this great question. It takes a good deal of self-introspection and self-study and even trial and error to understand one’s true purpose in this incarnation. But the ultimate Dharma of any soul is to discover its own true nature, self-realisation.

The whole of Hinduism is based on helping individuals and societies base their lives around Dharma. All classical Hindu literature, from the Vedas and Ramayana to the Mahabharata attempt to show Dharma in action, and also the obstacles, self-doubt and other difficulties which may beset even great men and women in their quest for doing what is truly right. Studying these teachings and reflecting on their application in the modern world holds the key to a brighter future.