Dharma

Dharma - the Foundation

Acquiring knowledge of dharma and adharma is the first step in preparing oneself for a life based on Sanatana Dharma.

What Are Dharma and Adharma?

Dharma is the positive effect of righteous action, also called पुण्य. Accumulated dharma produces favourable situations and opportunities in the future.
Adharma is the negative effect of unrighteous action, also called पाप. Accumulated adharma produces unfavourable situations and lost opportunities.

The Three Factors Behind Outcomes

Three factors come together to decide whether you can fulfil your dreams:

  1. your accumulated dharma
  2. your accumulated adharma
  3. your effort

Inevitable Results, Yet Adjustable Impact

Both dharma and adharma will be experienced as pleasant/favourable and unpleasant/unfavourable situations at some point. This cannot be avoided. However, your present actions can compound or diminish their effects.

Work Intelligently

To achieve your dreams, work intelligently by:

  1. increasing your dharma
  2. not increasing your adharma
  3. cultivating yourself

How to Increase Dharma

Increase dharma through:

  1. cultivating virtues
  2. performing actions that benefit the world

How to Prevent the Increase of Adharma

Prevent the rise of adharma by: abandoning vices

How to Cultivate Yourself

Cultivate yourself by regulating:

  1. the body
  2. the breathing
  3. the mind
  4. the intellect

Putting It Together

Favourable outcomes arise when effort aligns with growing dharma, restrained adharma, and steady self-cultivation. This alignment improves the quality of future situations and supports the fulfilment of your aims.