Dharma is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion, with multiple meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism
. It is difficult to provide a single concise definition for dharma, as the word has a long and varied history and straddles a complex set of meanings and interpretations
. In Hinduism, dharma includes the religious duties, moral rights, and duties of each individual, as well as behaviors that enable social order, right conduct, and those that are virtuous
. Some key aspects of dharma in Hinduism are:
- Sanātana Dharma : The eternal and unchanging principles of dharma
- Varṇ āśramā Dharma : One's duty at specific stages of life or inherent duties
- Sva Dharma : One's own individual or personal duty
- Āpad Dharma : The duties and responsibilities that arise from one's circumstances and actions
Dharma is often referred to as the law of righteousness, providing guidelines of ethics, behaviors, and traditions meant to help people fulfill the best versions of themselves
. It is the mode of conduct most conducive for spiritual growth and is highly individualistic, as each person's dharma is tailored to their unique needs and circumstances
. Dharma also includes ritual actions, which play a role in the ordering of individual lives and the life of the community
. In Hinduism, dharma is the organizing principle that applies to human beings in solitude, in their interaction with human beings and nature, as well as between inanimate objects, to all of the cosmos and its parts
