People’s Education Society’sSiddharth College of Commerce & Economics

Anand Bhavan Fort, Mumbai 01

Bachelor Of Management StudiesSubject: INDIAN MANAGEMENT THOUGHTS AND

PRACTICESTopic: The Concept of Dharma & Karma

Shrinivas S AvuluBMS MBA

Presentation Scope & Flow

Concept of Dharma

• Introduction• Dharma In all Religions

• How can one be a Dharma

• Purpose of Dharma

• Swadharma• The Changing Dharma

• Vamaasahram Dharma

Concept of Karma• Introduction• Significance of Karma• Benefits• Types of karma• Law of karma & corporate

world• Collective Karma• Working of karma• Nishkama karma

- SRI SATYA SAI BABA

“Duty done without love is deplorable; duty done with love is desirable; but

act of love that emanate from a person because it is his nature and not because it is enforced on him as his

duty is really divine.”

Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct as describe by the Hindu scriptures. Of the four grand objects of human aspirations (purusharthas), viz., Dharma, Artha ,Kama, and Moksha. Dharma is given the foremost rank in the scriptures.. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to immortality, infinite bliss, supreme peace and highest knowledge. Hinduism describes dharma as the natural universal laws whose observance enables humans to be contented and happy and to rate them from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus consider dharma the very foundation of life. The word dharma is derived from the root "dhr" to hold and its etymological meaning is that which holds this world of the people of the world ns the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the external divine law of the lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the all-powerful law of god. Dharma is the law of being without which things cannot exist.

Introduction

Dharma:

“Dharma means (a) the state of nature as it is, (b) the laws of nature, (c) the duties that must be performed in accordance with the laws of nature, and (d) the results that are derived from the fulfillment of such duties.” -Buddhadasa

Dharma refers to the religious ethics as propounded by hindu gurus in ancient indian scriptures. Tulsidas, a vigor of ramcharitmanas has defined the root of dharma as compassion. This principle was taken up by lord buddha in his immortal book of great wisdom, dhammapada. The atharva veda describes dharma symbolically :"prithivim dharma dhritam" that is "this world is upheld by dharma". In the epic poem mahabharata the pandavas represent in life and the kauravas represent adharma

According to scriptures

Dharma in other religious

All other religions also law stress an dharma. Buddhism, Jainism, christianity,sikhism,zoroastrianism and Islam are all remarkably alive to its value. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Kant, Swedenborg and Spinoza are all striking examples in the interesting history of western philosophy for the high pedestal on which they have placed morality.Duty and righteousness, and adored them all as the only means to the attainment of the goal of life. Each religion laws great on certain aspects of dharma.

Universal rules of dharmaThere are four fundamental virtues that all Hindus are asked to adhere to regularly 1. Non-violence2. Truth3. Purity4. Self-control

Good dharma = Good karma

Good dharma = Good karma

Hinduism accepts the concept of reincarnation and what determines the state of an individual in the new existence is karma which refers to the action undertaken by the body and the mind. In order to achieve good karma it is important to live life according to dharma, what is right this involves doing what is right for the individual, the family, the class or caste and also for the universe itself. Dharma is like a Bosnia norm and id one goes against the norm it can Persulu in bad karma so dharma affects the future according to the karma accumulated. Therefore one's Dharmic path in the next life it the onenecessary to bring to fruition all the results of part karma. 

DHARMA DUTIES Patience (dhriti) Forgiveness (kshama) Piety or self control (dama) Honesty (asteya) Sanctity (shauch) Control of senses (indraiya-nigrah) Reason (dhi) Knowledge or learning (vidya) Truthfulness (satya) Absence of anger (krodha).

Dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in society.

Dharma disciplines1. Satya (Truth)2. Ahimsa (Non-violence)3. Brahmacharya (Celibacy, non-adultery)4. Asteya (No desire to possess or steal)5. Aparighara (Non-corrupt)6. Shaucha (Cleanliness)7. Santosh (Contentment)8. Swadhyaya (Reading of scriptures)9. Tapas (Austerity, perseverance, penance)10. Ishwarpranidhan (Regular prayers)

Changing dharma•“Just as a doctor prescribes different medicines for different people according to their constitution and the nature of their disease, so also Hinduism prescribes different duties for different people.”•“Rules for women are different from the rules for men. The rules for different Varnas (castes) and Ashramas (the four stages of life) vary.”

(“Understanding Hinduism”)

How does literature impact dharma?

“In the matter of Dharma, the Vedas are the ultimate authority. You cannot know the truth about Dharma through any source of knowledge other than

the Vedas.” (“Understanding Hinduism”)

Mirror image theory

The four stages of life may, somewhat improbably, be associated with the four parts of the Vedas:

-Bhagvad Gita

“The person whose mind is always free from attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires. Attains the supreme perfection of freedom from karma through renunciation.”

“As you sow, so shall you reap.”

The message of KARMA or action was

first given by Lord Krishna on the

morning of the epic battle Mahabharatha – between the forces of

Good and Evil.Lord Krishna stood on

the side of the Good, but, was not permitted

to use any weapon – so He preferred to be the

charioteer to Arjuna whom He treated as a

close friend.

WHAT IS KARMA?• All our THOUGHTS, WORDS and ACTS or in one word ALL OUR ACTIONS that collectively effect and result in our birth – rebirth and joy and sorrow.

KARMA IS INEVITABLE, ONE HAS TO DO SOME KARMA OR OTHER. NOT FOR A SINGLE MOMENT CAN ONE FREE ONESELF FROM KARMA.

KARMA FACTSMan is born out of KarmaMan grows in KarmaMan dies in KarmaKarma is the guiding force for human beingsKarma is the cause for pleasure and pain

Swami Says – “Do not take Karma lightly – you entire life depends on Karma.”

EGO• Criticizing other or finding faults with others and self-

praise is the EGO game.• EGO is untruth.• EGO is what prevents us from getting close to GOD.• CAUSES YOU TO CONSIDER YOUR BODY AS THE

REAL SELF. • EGO develops as a result of attachment and desires

– I and Mine.

EGOWAYS TO REMOVE EGO:

1. SELF ENQUIRY2. WHAT IS BODY IN RELATION TO

THE CREATION OF GOD3. WHAT IS THIS BODY THAT WE

REFER TO AS “MY BODY”.

TYPES OF KARMA

GOOD KARMASSREYO KARMASVEIDICSAHEJA

BAD KARMASVISHAYA KARMASLOUKIKASAHEJA

KARMA KANTHMALA – GARLAND of KARMA

KARMA AND TIME?

KARMA TENSE• SANCHITA – Past – also Karma Kantha Mala – The invisible Karma Garland around everybody’s neck or the Seed Karma

• PRABADHA – The Immediate Present – THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT

• AGAMI – Future – Suspense, unsure

VISHAYA KARMAS•VISHAYA KARMAS – Sensory or Binding Type of Karmas.• Related to Exterior Objects• Resorted to with a desire for the result

• Lead to I & Mine – Cause of EGO• And the morass of Greed and Lust

SREYO KARMAS• SREYO KARMAS – Yield Progressive Joy and auspiciousness, which gives BLISS to the Soul.• PURE, FAULTLESS, UNSELFISH & UNSWERING

• ACTION WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT FOR THE FRUITS THEREOF OR DESIRELESS

• ACHIEVE TRUTH, JUSTICE, PEACE, LOVE & NON-VIOLENCE

KARMA VS SCIENCE• Newtons third law of motion:TO EVERY ACTION THERE IS EQUAL AND OPPOSITE

REACTION.

• SPITITUALITY’S BASIC LAW OF KARMA:EVERY ACTION HAS A FRUIT WHICH IS SIMILAR TO

THE ACTION, BUT, TO WHICH THE ‘DOER’ HAVE NO RIGHT.

WHERE IS THE PROBLEM?

REACTIONNO NO NOT THE FRUIT, BUT, HOW WE REACT TO THE FRUIT?

Attitude towards the fruit of action

IF GOOD – WE FEEL HAPPY AND ELATEDIF BAD – WE FEEL SAD AND DEJECTEDThese emotional responses set off further desires and impulses which result in more action with the inherent consequential fruit – this is a chain reactionDesires and impulses remain with us even after we depart from the body – and unfulfilled desires can lead us to repeated births and re-births.

AVOID RE-BIRTH• By giving-up desires and doing karma desirelessly

• To give-up desires – have similar feeling for good and bad

• How to develop similar feeling?• You are not this body, so you are not the doer or enjoyer• Then who are you – an instrument in the hands of the

divine – on the body level• And a part of the divine soul at the spirit level.

THE ULTIMATE DOERG – The GENERATOR

O – The ORGANISER

D – The DESTROYER

OUR BIRTH IS A WASTE• IF THE DOERSHIP IS GODS, THEN MY BIRTH IS A

WASTE.• THERE IS NOTHING IN MY HANDS• MY HANDS ARE EMPTY• I CAN’T EVEN ENJOY THE FRUITS OF ACTIONS

IS IT SO………………..

“ACTION” IS IN OUR HAND

• The action is in our hand fully till we discharge it.• We have the choice to exercise and choose the path –

that is where we use discrimination.• While actions are predetermined, the path to execute

the action has to be chosen by man

MEASURE OF ACTION

WATCH THE SECOND, MIN & HR HANDS

FOR EVERY GOOD ACT THE CLOCK MOVES ONE SECOND. 60 GOOD ACTS MAKE ONE GOOD DEED60 GOOD DEEDS YEILD ONE GOOD EXPERIENCEDO GOOD ACTS TO HAVE

A DIVINE EXPERIENCE

EVERY SECOND MATTERS

ITS IMPORTANTThe past – sanchit or seed karma cannot be changed. The

future or agami karma are a mystere.

The present karma are most important – on one hand you enjoy the fruit of past karma and on the other hand you are sowing the seed to fruit in future.

Sow good seeds – baba assures Good fruits

GOD IS THE ULTIMATE DOER WHAT ABOUT EVIL DEEDS

• NO NO NO – GOD IS NOT THE DOER HERE.• GOD PROMPTS US TO DO GOOD ONLY WE DISOBEY

AND DO BAD.• WE FOLLOW THE MIND WHICH CAN MISLEAD – FOR

CORRECT ACTION FOLLOW THE INTELLECT / CONSCIENCE

THE PROMISEIn the GITA our beloved Baba promised mankind

through Arjuna – that never will HE ever forsake a person who has remembered HIM in all his actions.

Baba has advised – there are two paths to reach HIM – the path of LOVE or the path of KNOWLEDGE. Of these the path of LOVE is better and surer.

THE PROMISE … contd.1. Let your MIND focus on Baba.2. If your mind wavers – do meditation. 3. If you can’t do meditation – do seva to all around you.

4. If you can’t even do this – SURRENDER yourself to Baba and receive joy or sorrow – success or failure as His Blessings.

Only Merciful Baba can give so many options

What is most important?

Most important is to immediately start sowing good seeds with HIS name on our lips and His

Form in our eyes and HE ~ RESIDING IN OUR

LOTUS HEART.