The reward for following Dharma strictly is that you will attain clarity of mind and thought and inner excellence. This inner excellence will favour your ambitions and aspirations.
DHARMA
I am learning Vedas from ‘Veda Classes’ since 7 years. I have studied about 10 Suktams, SriRudram, Chamakam, Mahanyasam, Rudra-Kramam, Surya Namaskaram and some of Taitreeya Upanishad. Now I am attending Classes for Ashwamedham and Acchidram. I don’t practice it at home, and I don’t do Nitya Karmanushtanam (daily rites) too. In addition, I find it difficult with the Sanskrit words. This makes me reluctant to attend classes anymore. I am also afraid of wrong swaras if I practice it at home. What should I do?
The following tenets are prescribed for the study of the Vedas:
-Coming from a family with Vedic traditions
-Learning the Vedas from a proper Guru
-Learning it in early ages of life
-Adhering to the Gurukulam way of life while studying the Vedas
-Practicing it daily
-Not thinking of Vedas as a means for profession, but rather worshipping it as verily God.
However in the Kali Yuga that we live in, many of the above points are not possible. That is exactly what you are experiencing too. Nothing can be done about it. The current age is the culprit. That is the reason Nama Kirtan is being given so much of prominence and importance.
My son is a divorcee. Should he still wear the ‘Upavitha’ (sacred thread) of a Grahasta?
Though the court may grant divorce to a couple, according to Sanatana Dharma, once tied in wedlock, they are couple for life. Hence he is still a grihasta.
Sanathana Dharma may have been written when people were not divorcing. I can understand that if wife dies you are still a Grihasta, but in the new age where there are divorces, how can one consider himself married to someone who is not in his life?
Our Rishis were far-sighted. They had looked far deep into the future so many years ago. For example, if you read Bhavishya Purana, you will realize that most of the current day state of affairs have been predicted by our Maharshis long long ago.
Hence the Sanathana Dharma is universally true. While the Dharma cannot be changed, the alternative is to adapt the right kind of Dharma, apt for the age. That is verily the Bhagavata Dharma, which is nothing but chanting of the Divine Name of God. This simple path is the atonement to everything [sarva prayaschitta] and does not have any rules and regulations.
We see many reports of forced conversions. What will be the state of our Sanatana Dharma in India in the near future? What is the duty of every Hindu to protect our Dharma?
The Vedas say ‘Dharmam Chara’ – we should ‘live’ Dharma. Not just talk about it. If we practice Dharma in its letter and spirit and have unshakeable conviction in Dharma, conviction begets conviction and we can ‘protect’ dharma by following it. Everyone can talk and propagate their conviction, we are doing ours. We propagate and live the Bhagavata Dharma which is the most practical Dharma for today’s age – comprising of singing and listening to Lord’s Names and glories.
To put it simply, Hindus should take to Bhagavata Dharma (perform Nama Kirtan) and make others do the same, instead of talking about something that will not suit this time at all.
What is dharma? ‘dharayate iti dharma’, then, what to do?
Based on the different time periods Dharma was different. In Kritha Yuga, Dhyana was the Dharma. In Tretha Yuga, Yagna was the Dharma. In Dwapara Yuga, Pooja was the Dharma. In Kali Yuga, Nama Kirtan is the Dharma. Catch hold of the Divine Names of the Lord and chant them incessantly. That alone is enough.
