Dharma: The Guiding Compass for Mental Clarity and Ethical Living

The Ayodhya prince Lord Ram was also referred to as the embodiment of dharma. When King Dasharatha grants his wife Kaikeyi two boons, one of them is to exile Lord Ram for fourteen years. Rama decides that it is his responsibility to preserve his father’s honour and the integrity of his words. Therefore, he accepts his banishment without resistance.

Rama’s action is a prime example of dharma. He prioritizes his commitment to morality and his responsibilities as a son over his own goals and wishes. Whether it is in his capacity as a son, brother, husband, or king, this is not a single incident; rather, it occurs on several occasions. In Indian mythology, dharma is a supremely important principle that governs morality, cosmic order, and virtuous behaviour.

We must fulfil a moral obligation. It stands for a person’s obligation to the universe, society, and oneself. People frequently consider it the cornerstone of leading a life that complies with the moral and ethical rules of nature. Characters in legendary literature, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, employ dharma as a compass. It transcends individual desires and concentrates on the good of the group.

One of the most important ideas in Indian mythology is dharma. It is necessary for upholding societal order, guaranteeing justice, and striking a balance between individual responsibilities and group peace.

Read More: How Superheroes and Mythological Figures Shape Our Values

What is the Opposite of Dharma?

Adharma is the antithesis of dharma, denoting immorality, unrighteousness, or actions that are contrary to morality and the natural order. In Indian mythology and literature, Adharma stands for deeds that upset social and personal equilibrium. This contrasts with dharma, which upholds justice and balance. The oldest of the Kauravas, Duryodhana, is a perfect illustration of Adharma.

Greed and envy drive him to refuse to give the Pandavas half of the kingdom, which sparks the Kurukshetra war. Adharma is the reason behind his deeds, which include tampering with the dice, insulting Draupadi, and persistently resisting justice. Adharma takes the form of deeds motivated by selfishness, deceit, and hurtful conduct towards others in daily life. The famous film “Deewar” features Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Verma, a guy motivated by Adharma who commits morally dubious acts. Even though his life circumstances force him along this route, his choices cause him to stray from holiness (dharma). This leads him to struggle within and ultimately fail.

Read More: How Does the Psychology of Mahabharata Reflect Human Nature?

Relevance Of Dharma In Our Day-To-Day Lives

By teaching us to live by moral standards in every area of our lives, dharma aids in our ability to discriminate between good and wrong. It pushes us to put justice and honesty ahead of our interests, which fosters societal peace. Dharma places a strong emphasis on carrying out one’s obligations to one’s family, society, and community. In the same way that we balance our personal and professional responsibilities, it promotes selflessness. For example: Amitabh Bachchan’s character in “Baghban” emphasises the value of family obligation by upholding his dharma as a father by sacrificing his comfort for the benefit of his kids.

It instructs us to live according to the roles we play in life, whether they are professional, social, or parental. Sincerity in carrying out one’s responsibilities is fundamental to dharma. Dharma promotes tenacity in upholding moral principles in the face of difficulty. It encourages us to uphold our moral convictions and obligations in the face of outside pressure. Like Aamir Khan’s character in “Lagaan” shows tenacity in upholding his dharma towards his community by taking up the burden of his entire village to resist onerous taxation.

It also encourages us to stand up for equality and justice so that everyone is treated fairly and with dignity. It inspires us to confront injustice head-on, even if it means putting ourselves in danger. For example: The characters of “Rang De Basanti” uphold their dharma by opposing injustice and corruption, even at tremendous personal sacrifice, signifying the fight for justice and truth. It is fostering empathy and compassion in our relationships by acting compassionately and not for one’s benefit. Like Nargis’s character in “Mother India” puts the welfare of her children and the community above her happiness as she adheres to her moral principles.

Read More: The Depths of Indian Psychology: Traditions and Modern Insights

What is the role of Dharma in Decision Making?

The following dharma guarantees that a person acts honourably, fairly, and with a feeling of duty towards others and the larger good, regardless of the situation—personal, professional, or social.

• Dharma acts as a moral compass, guiding judgements towards justice and integrity.
• It challenges people to look beyond their interests and consider the greater good, which frequently results in more just and compassionate decisions.
• When making decisions that are in line with dharma, consideration is frequently given to everyone’s long-term welfare rather than their immediate interests.
• Whether one is a parent, a worker, or a member of the community, dharma demands that one think about their roles and obligations and make sure that their actions are in line with them.

In Mahabharata, Yudhishthira had a big choice to make during the Game of Dice. Though he was aware of the dangers, he gambled away his country and even his family because he believed it was his duty to respect his elders and play by the rules. He and his family, however, suffered greatly as a result of this choice. This case illustrates the intricacy of dharma, since upholding one obligation—respecting elders and the law—conflicted with fulfilling another (looking out for his family). 

In contemporary perception, Amitabh Bachchan’s character Dwarka Anand in the Bollywood film “Satyagraha” is a retired teacher who must make a moral choice when his son is slain as a result of official corruption. Instead of pursuing personal vengeance, he decides to spearhead a nonviolent justice movement, demonstrating that his choice was motivated by dharma or his feeling of obligation to fight for the truth and justice for society.

Read More: A Psychology-backed Guide to Decision-Making

What About Mental Health?

It offers a moral and ethical framework for living that aids in the development of emotional stability, mental clarity, and a sense of purpose—all of which are essential components of mental health. Dharma lessens uncertainty and indecision by encouraging people to behave according to their duties and obligations. Dharma encourages disassociation from the results of deeds, as the Bhagavad Gita illustrates. Because people who adopt this perspective are not overly tied to results that are beyond their control, it helps to lessen worry and emotional suffering. People are more prone to see losses as a part of a bigger journey and be more perseverant and optimistic when they believe they are fulfilling their moral obligations.

For instance, Dharma therapy is a therapeutic method based on Buddhist teachings that helps clients address psychological problems by applying the Buddhist idea of putting an end to suffering. It has been demonstrated to be successful numerous times. The teachings of Dharma provide a versatile, multifaceted strategy for managing mental disease, offering instruments for recovery and transformation.

• Having unambiguous ethical standards might help people feel less stressed, unclear of what to do, and less in conflict with themselves.
• People can cultivate self-compassion and lessen the negative self-talk that exacerbates disorders like depression and low self-esteem by breaking free from ego-based thinking.
• Accepting hardship and life’s obstacles as inevitable parts of being human is something that the dharma teaches. By fostering emotional resilience, this viewpoint enables people to handle setbacks without being paralysed by them.
• Dharma teaches people to walk the path of righteousness in the face of hardship. This kind of thinking promotes fortitude, endurance, and patience—all of which are essential for handling chronic mental health conditions like PTSD and anxiety.
• Dharma promotes concentrating on one’s duties and deeds without being attached to particular results. This method fosters mental tranquillity and contentment by lessening the anxiety associated with continuously worrying about the outcomes of decisions.

Read More: The Profound Context of Buddhism and Psychology

For instance, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna went through a serious mental breakdown. He was so overcome with grief, fear, and uncertainty at the thought of killing his professors and family that he became mentally paralysed. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna’s teaching of dharma gave Arjuna the mental fortitude he needed to recover. Krishna reminded Arjuna that upholding justice was a necessary part of his Kshatriya (warrior) dharma. Arjuna was able to get over his emotional crisis, get perspective, and carry out his mission without worrying about the outcome by concentrating on it and separating himself from the conclusion.

On the other hand, “Swades” is a timeless example of a modern example. An Indian employee of NASA named Bhargava pays a visit to his childhood nanny in India. His mental battle centres on dharma, or his need to use his skills for the greater good (instead of returning to work at NASA) and his duty to his country, a community in need of assistance.

His ultimate choice to remain in India is a reflection of his sense of dharma, or his obligation to uphold the community. He finds calm and clarity in his decision since it unites his activities with the greater good. Through his altruistic activity, Mohan discovers emotional resilience after accepting his dharma to serve the villages. In addition to improving the lives of the villagers, Mohan finds inner serenity and contentment by living according to his dharma. His choice to stay and serve demonstrates how following the dharma can promote mental health and personal development.

Read More: How Fear, Uncertainty, and Trust Shape Buying Behavior in Crises

Research on Dharma, Decision-Making And Mental Health 

Numerous scholarly investigations and philosophical discourses have underscored how adhering to ethical standards (dharma) can impact cognitive processes and enhance psychological welfare. According to a study on moral decision-making, moral behaviour and upholding one’s obligations might lessen cognitive dissonance, or the tension between one’s beliefs and actions, which has a good effect on mental health. Research has shown that those who live according to their sense of duty or dharma are more resilient to stress, anxiety, and depression.

The idea of dharma and ethical decision-making frameworks have been combined in contemporary therapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). People who act in line with their values—similar to dharma—tend to have lower levels of anxiety and despair, according to research on value-based decision-making. 

Eastern approaches to ethics and dharma are frequently associated with Buddhist and Hindu traditions. They may provide useful mental health treatments, particularly for stress, anxiety, and existential crises, according to cross-cultural studies on dharma. People can develop a more tranquil mental state by emphasising the interconnection of all beings and decreasing attachment to results.

Dharma is powerful, constant, and always flowing in the direction of justice and balance, much like the stream of a river. Even on tumultuous life’s waters, it leads those who follow it to a place of clarity and tranquillity. When people identify themselves with dharma, they can stay rooted in their moral convictions. They can purposefully traverse the rapids of ethical quandaries and emotional turmoil. Living by dharma allows one to be resilient and at peace. They understand they are part of a larger flow that is purposeful, unshakeable, and connected. This flow is much like a river that can adapt to impediments in its way without losing its course.