Dharma is supreme ..
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वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम्।
आचारश्चैव साधूनां आत्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च॥
मनुस्मृत्याम् २-६
vedo'khilo dharmamūlaṁ smṛtiśīle ca tadvidām|
ācāraścaiva sādhūnāṁ ātmanastuṣṭireva ca||
manusmṛtyām 2-6
धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः
तस्माद् धर्मो न हन्तयो मा नो धर्मो हतो वधीत्॥
मनुस्मृत्याम् ८-१५
dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ
tasmād dharmo na hantayo mā no dharmo hato vadhīt||
manusmṛtyām 8-15
Two unequivocal statements of eternal binding value from Manusmriti.. the basic treatise followed by India from time immemorial..
Some parts of the text may raise eybrows.. because of the changed social evolution, but the above two statements are eternally binding and are of immense value..
the First statement is
Veda, or the sacred revealed texts are the basis and source for all rules of proper social conduct.. what is called Dharma.. The version of the text given by those who follow such texts, and those who have clean knowledge about such texts are the means for knowing such rules.. The way the pious and disciplined sages and elders conducted themselves too reveal to us the way we should conduct ourselves.. Finally the efficacy or definitin of Dharma depends on the comfort and ease that could provide for the person following it..
What we have to remember is that the first text is the most important.. Only laws and rules which are not in contradiction with the revealed texts have any value.. We cannot applyl the next tests if the issue does not pass the muster.. on the first point of being in agreement with the texts ..
The interpretation of those who had practiced the rules and those who have deep knowleldge about them would be of great value.. This comes next in priority.. Interpretation in contradiction with the spirit of Vedas in unwelcome.
The way pious and law abiding people without any unfair personal bias conduct themselves could form an important precedent in interpreting Dharma.. But such conduct should be in sync with the ideas in Vedas, and the interpretation by the learned people over the ages.
And finally, the purpose of any law or rule is the welfare and comfort of all who follow it.. In fact, many rules would impose restrictions and discomforts to some individuals, when the comfort of the body of people as a whole is taken as a unit..
But this idea is eminently understandable, and is a very important factor in our existence as a social entity.. But here again pleasure or comfort in contravention of the set principles of law is never encouraged.
The second stanza is very straightforward
When Dharma or the fundamental laws are contravened or improperly applied, that action would kill and destroy all
Dharma, when protected well, would protect all individually and severally
So one should never kill Dharma.. meaning.. one should never flout or act destructively against established law, because Dharma, when dead or murdered, would ensure the death and destruction of all including those who caused the destruction of Dharma.
Regards,
K V Ananthanarayanan