Svadharma
Having determined to reach the goal, the question that pops up next is the path you want to choose to do the same. Which is the path that will lead me to the destination? This not only applies to the ultimate goal of Self-Realization but also to our temporary goals in the world.
This is where one need to find out what one’s Svadharma is. The word may sound complicated in Sanskrit, but then is very effectively understood as one’s innate nature, one’s leanings towards a particular type of activity. ‘Sva’ in Sanskrit means one’s own and ‘dharma’ means nature.
Every human being is made up of inherent tendencies and inclinations, innate passion, distinct likes and dislikes. Identifying the same and choosing a field according to one’s nature brings happiness and complete satisfaction to the individual.
Now the question that comes up is how to identify one’s Svadharma?
Right from early childhood one’s innate tendencies, when provided with the conducive environment, tend to reveal themselves. It is like providing the right kind of soil for the seed to grow into a fruit-bearing tree. Exceptional talent in the case of child prodigies is noticed at an early age. The natural tendencies or inclinations of a person will not be sporadic but will be a continuous expression. In the case of individual’s who have strong inclinations in two or three fields, balance the interests’. Here one should be careful not to be led by herd instinct or material attractiveness of a field.
In order to narrow down on what one really wants to do one ought to study one’s own inclinations and preferences. This study takes some time and is worth analyzing. Finding these inclinations at an early age helps one move towards one’s goal faster and effectively.
The individual’s happiness and peace depends on choosing the right vocation. Thus when an individual gets the freedom to choose his predominant field of interest, he grows up to be a satisfied and productive individual. The family looks up to such a person. The community, state, nation and the world follow suit.
What happens when one does not follow one’s Svadharma?
Opposite of ‘svadharma’ is ‘paradharma’. ‘para’ means alien and ‘dharma’ means nature. When a person chooses a field that is alien to his nature, though giving him immediate gains, will keep him unhappy in the long run. This hinders productivity.
When one chooses ‘paradharmic’ activity, one is actually forcing oneself to act against one’s grain. It is like sailing against the wind.
‘Anything forced is never forceful’.
- Swami Parthasarathy
This leads to unhappiness and stress in the long run. Such a person cannot be happy and productive. This unhappiness spills over into the family, society etc. Therefore for the personal satisfaction of an individual and his well being it is important to choose an activity compliant with one’s svadharma.
When one does not function according to one’s Svadharma one becomes irritable, disinterested, suicidal, depressed, stressed!
How are we going to face these challenges of life? Just as a disease is cured by treating the root infection and not the symptom, we need to understand the root cause of this crisis. What we see around us are symptoms or effects. The root of the crisis is our inability to locate the cause. The cause is our inability to understand and choose our Svadharma or rather our ignorance on this subject.
Education as we speak of it today, only gives us information in one or more subjects. This makes us intelligent in those subjects. The need of the hour is the development of the faculty called intellect that helps us to think, reason, discriminate, judge, decide and apply in the world. It is this intellect and not intelligence that helps us identify our Svadharma.
The problems caused by following paradharmic activity can be solved in two ways.
1. Short Term Remedy:
The present effect that we see today is the resultant of our own past ignorant actions. Therefore cannot be negated completely. These effects can be tackled by infusing knowledge and understanding, that a better future can be created by modifying the past in the present.
2. Long Term Solution:
Sow fresh causes in order to ensure better effects in the future. How do you do this? By learning and applying the fundamental values of life and living.
What are these values?
1. Action – all thoughts, deeds and words channelized towards achieving a set goal beyond one’s selfish interest, is action. This goal that individual’s set should be for the welfare of people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, community etc.
2. Direction – such focused action towards the goal gives direction in life. Water flowing in one direction, and wind blowing in one direction, generate power. Similarly our actions gain power and dynamism when directed towards a higher goal.
3. Objectivity – actions emanate either from mind or intellect or a combination of both. An action propelled by mere emotion without intellect’s guidance is impulsive. While an action arising out of reason and judgment, even as emotion supports it, is said to be objective. Objectivity, therefore, is determined by one’s intellectual supervision over the mind’s likes and dislikes.
This objectivity is enhanced by practicing humane values like no hatred, humility, forgiveness, compassion, uprightness, steadfastness, gratitude etc. By gaining knowledge of these values and consistent application of this knowledge, one sets examples for others to follow.
From time immemorial good and evil existed in this world. All we can do is increase the goodness. Evil cannot be eradicated.
‘Inequity there shall exist in this world.
Woe be unto you if you be the cause of it’
– The Bible
Thus backed by these values and treading the path revealed by one’s Svadharma, it is a matter of time before one achieves one’s material, physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual goals.
