My Dharma

 

What is Dharma?

The word Dharma comes from the Sanskrit root dhṛ—“to hold, uphold, or sustain.” Simply put, Dharma is that which makes something what it truly is.

Dharma is the Law of Being—not trying to become something, but just "To Be".

Borrowing the definition from Physics - Matter is described by its characteristic or intrinsic properties—qualities that help determine what something is and how it behaves. In a similar way, Dharma points to the essential nature of a thing.

For example, the Dharma of fire is to burn and give heat. Similarly, we cannot imagine a sun that is cold and dark. Heat and light are part of its essential nature, as we understand it.

So Dharma is not merely “righteousness,” as it is often translated into English. It is much deeper. Dharma is the essential nature without which something cannot remain true to itself.  

But what does that mean for me?

As a parent, my Dharma is not simply to provide for my children. It is to love, guide, protect, and eventually give them the strength and freedom to find their own path. At work, my Dharma may look different—perhaps it is to act with integrity, fulfill my responsibilities, and contribute to something larger than myself.

My roles change, circumstances change, and therefore how I express my Dharma may change—but I must constantly ask: “In this moment, what is mine to do?”

And this is where the Bhagavad Gita becomes deeply personal to me.

The Gita's 700 shlokas begin with the word “Dharma”—Dharmakshetre—and the final shloka ends with “Mama”—mine.

Dharma … Mama = Swap the words to "My Dharma"

The Bhagavad Gita then becomes my customized spiritual GPS. It doesn't drive the car for me. I still have to make the decisions and take the turns as the driver.  And yes, sometimes I will take the wrong exit!

But the Gita helps me recalculate, just like a GPS does!!

It helps me understand where I am, reminds me of where I am trying to go, and guides me back toward my path.

The Gita is not simply teaching me about Dharma.
It is teaching me how to discover—and live—My Dharma.

Ref: The Holy Geeta - Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda