Veda is the root of all religions and the memory and modesty of those who know the Vedas are also the root of religion. Virtue of good men is also the root of religion and contentment of the soul is also the root of religion.
– Manusmriti.
Every human aspires to get various types of happiness, good fortune, success and prosperity in his life. To achieve these, every human being has to do some enterprise. Of the different types of pleasures necessary for human beings, some are physical, some are physical and some are divine or spiritual.
The makers of culture thought deeply about what pleasures a man should aspire for in his life and how they can be achieved. Our sages also thought deeply about how the element of morality should be attached to the pleasures obtained by man. Unrealistically obtained happiness, success and prosperity can never make any person happy in the end.
The sages realized that worldly attachments, illusions and pleasures attract human beings, but they do not lead man towards the right path and lead to sorrows. Whereas sober conduct and spiritual thoughts help man in taking proper decisions. Indian sages found that the goal of human life should be the achievement of permanent happiness rather than the attainment of momentary pleasures.
Man's efforts should be religious, not luxurious. Spiritual tendencies explain to man the real meaning of philosophy of life in which spirituality along with worldliness, yoga with enjoyment and retirement with desire is balanced. In fact, human beings need all three types of pleasures, physical, divine and material, in their life.
The sages have given these pleasures in four types of 'purusharthas' expressed as. These are called Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Of these 'work' There is physical happiness and the meaning is 'material happiness' is, 'religion' And 'Moksha' There are divine pleasures.
'Chaturvarga' And 'Purushartha-Chatutya' has also been said. Man attains intellectual, moral, physical, physical and spiritual excellence only through efforts. Establishing a balance between material and spiritual prosperity is the true form of effort. 'Religion' Through this man can understand the actions of policy, conscience, justice etc. 'Earth' It is the basis of material prosperity of man.
'work' Gives satisfaction to the human mind and body. With the proper consumption of these three man automatically 'Moksha' That is, attains the ultimate advancement of the soul. The ultimate goal of human life 'Moksha' It's the same.
The Charvaka philosophy recognizes only two Purusharthas – Artha and Kama. He does not believe in Dharma and Moksha. Maharishi Vatsyayana is also a supporter of Manu's Purushartha-Chatushty, but he considers worldly life based on Dharma, Artha and Kama as paramount rather than salvation and the afterworld.
Religion
The place of religion in Purusharth is paramount, but this religion is not limited to any particular type of religious beliefs, beliefs of sects or specific worship practices of God. In the sense of Purushartha, its meaning is very broad. Here the meaning of religion is to restrain oneself, restrained, disciplined. Thus 'religion' There is an ideal code of thought, conduct and behavior of a person which organizes, regulates and controls his actions according to the country, time and character and inspires him to lead a pure and sin-free life. The deeds by which a man attains humanness are called Dharma. Thus, in the context of Purushartha, Dharma refers to his personal morality.
The actions which have been prescribed for human beings in the Vedas can be called Dharma. In the Mahabharata, conduct or virtue is considered a symptom of religion and religion is said to be fruitful only by conduct. Considering ethics (good conduct) and religion to be complementary to each other, ethics has been accepted as the ultimate religion.
In Buddhist and Jain literature also, there is an emphasis on pure and sattvik conduct, this pure and sattvik conduct is religion. Manu says that the best religion is the ethics mentioned in the Vedas and the Smritis. Thus 'religion' It is the code of conduct through which the individual develops gradually as a member of society and as a controlled personality, ultimately leading to the ultimate aim i.e. 'Moksha' Gets it.
There are three basic functions of religion-
(1.) Self-control
(2.) Personality uplift and
(3.) Achievement of Moksha.
Through dharma man refines his duties and practices and fulfills good wishes by sacrificing bad desires. Therefore it is the duty of man alone that his every act and his continual nature 'Dharma' That is, it should be ethical and should be conducted with good conduct. This gives completeness to the life of man.
Thus it can be said that religion is that instinctive tendency of such a person which does not harm anyone, but makes the society happy through public welfare and becomes happy himself.
Manu has given four bases of Dharma- (1) Shruti (Vedas), (2.) Smriti (Dharmashastra), (3.) Sadcharan (moral conduct) and (4.) Atma-satisfaction (contentment). The Dharmasutras have described the Vedas, Smritis and polite behavior as the root of religion. According to Vashishta, Vedas and Smritis are more important than virtue.
Dharma is the devotional observance of the duties prescribed for human beings in the Vedas and Smritis. The morals of different countries and classes may be different and similar, but their core lies in morality. Truth-speech, ethical conduct and ethical behavior are generally considered to be virtue. Some of the virtues mentioned in the scriptures change with the ages, but their basis remains the same in each era.
Ordinary Religion
'Ordinary Dharma' is called. 'Ordinary Religion' It is concerned with the humane moral conduct of man. All human values are planned under simple religion, which is often exemplary for all persons. Always speak the truth, do not do violence, do not grab anyone's wealth, consider a foreign woman as a mother, protect Brahmins, cows, women, the disabled and the refugee of human beings 'ordinary religion' are.
Specific Religion
'duty' replace with country, time and character or 'Sadcharan' to 'Special Religion' is called. Telling the truth is a simple religion but giving false speech to save the life of an innocent creature in a particular situation 'Vishisht Dharma' Is. Country-religion, caste-religion and clan religion are also distinct religions. Scriptures have also mentioned many types of other smart religions, such as Varnadharma, Ashramadharma, Varnashrama Dharma, Gudhadharma and Naimittika Dharma.
Characteristics of Religion
Different religions have given different characteristics of religion. Thirty characteristics of religion are also described in the scriptures. In Manusmriti, ten characteristics of religion have been mentioned-
Dhriti Kshama Damosteyam, Shaucham Indriyanigrahah.
Dhirvidya Satyam Akrodho, Dasakam Dharma Lakshnam.
That is, the ten characteristics of religion are patience, forgiveness, restraint, non-stealing, cleanliness, control of the senses, intelligence, learning, truth and anger.
Truth:It is said in the scriptures that 'Satyam Vad Dharmam Char' That is, speak the truth and practice righteousness. According to Manu, speak the truth, speak the beloved, do not speak the truth unpleasant and the beloved should not speak untruth, this is Sanatan Dharma. Nothing is better than speaking the truth. Truth leads to progress of both the individual and the society.
Truth is the basis of all human behavior. The mind gets polluted and the society is polluted due to untrue conduct. Therefore, one should speak the truth even in the most difficult of circumstances. Charity, meditation, tolerance, modesty, kindness, non-violence, fairness, sense-control, joyful suffering, discretion etc. have been considered true.
Brahmacharya:Staying away from female contact is called Brahmacharya. Its purpose is to control the sexual desires of the mind. Due to this the body remains strong, the mind remains focused on its work and man receives the grace of Brahma i.e. God. By observing this fast, excellence comes in the personal life of the person and morality is spread in the society.
non-violence: 'non-violence' in the Upanishads to 'Paramdharma' Having said. Non-violence is not to harm any living being with one's mind, word and deed. According to Manu, a person who does not want to kill and bondage living beings, he attains great happiness by being well-wisher of all. Non-violence is very necessary for the establishment of peace in the society.
sense-control: Man experiences pleasure and pain through the sense organs (eyes, nose, ears, tongue and skin) and creates pleasure and pain through his sense organs (hands, feet, mouth, genitals and anus). Controlling all these types of senses is indriya-nigraha (dum). The man who keeps his actions disciplined but is not restrained from the mind, he is also a liar.
He who controls his mind and action completely and in all respects, is the real samyam. Lack of control over the mind i.e. desires increases attachment to objects, i.e., pleasures and pleasures, non-fulfillment of desires and desires leads to anger, from anger comes folly, from folly the memory disappears, from the disappearance of memory the intellect is destroyed and the destruction of the intellect leads to destruction of the person.
Therefore a man should exercise control over his mind, body and mind equally. Thus control of the senses is the dharma of every human being.
Forgiveness:It is the common dharma of man to have a feeling of forgiveness towards every living being. To have a feeling of gratitude towards the person who did the wrong, is the biggest hallmark of a forgiving person. Only the mighty can imbibe such a great quality as forgiveness. That is why it is said in the scriptures- 'Kshama Veerasya Bhushanam' That is, forgiveness is the ornament of brave men. To use sweet words for each person, to avoid utterance of harsh words under the control of anger, not to have a feeling of revenge, etc. also come under forgiveness.
Faith:One should have a sense of reverence for every benevolent object, person and system of the universe. Goswami Tulsidas has compared Shiva and Parvati with reverence and faith- 'Bhavani Shankarau Vande Shraddha Vishwas Rupinau.'
To be faithful to mother, father and guru is Dharma. Rivers do humans a favor by giving water, mountains by giving breath and medicines, sky by giving rain and space, sun by giving light and energy, earth by giving food and shelter, cows by giving milk, Panchagavya and calves. There are many creations in the universe which give something to man. Man should be grateful to the system of nature and its creator, sky, river, mountain, tree, cow, sun, etc.
Sweet words:Making sweet speech is also an important part of religion. Only humble people, being egoless, are able to speak sweet words and sweet words. Manu has also instructed to say the bitter truth in melodious voice. The sweet voice of man attracts all good and bad people. With sweet speech, the opponent and the enemy can be easily bowed down.
Modesty:Meaning of modesty 'good nature' it happens. Dharma and truth depend only on modesty. That is, without being modest, a person cannot live with righteousness and truthful conduct. It has been said in Mahabharata- 'Sheelam Pradhan Purushe' That is, modesty is the most important quality in man. Man's character, behavior and conduct arise from modesty. To be successful in life, it is necessary to have modesty. A polite person becomes dear to friends and enemies by his actions. The person who maintains modesty even in thought, speech, deed, grace and charity, that person is considered to be modest.
Guest-service:Guest-service has been included in the Panchmahayagyas performed by the householder. This is called 'Guest-Religion' Also called. Manu has written that by worshiping a guest, one gets wealth, age, fame and heaven. When many guests come together, seat, rest-place, bed, follow-up and service, all these hospitality should be given more to elders, middle class to middle class and less to lower class. According to Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, if the enemy ever comes to his door, then he should also be served.
Specific Religion
According to the country, time and character, human beings have to perform some specific duties apart from their ordinary religions which are called 'Special Religion' is called. 'Vishisht Dharma' placed under. To them the 'Swadharma' of man Also called.
Character-Religion
Varna-dharma refers to the observance of the duties and rules of different varnas. In the Purushasukta of Rigveda, different duties and rules have been prescribed for the four Varnas. ब्राह्मण के लिए वेद पढ़ना-पढ़ाना, यज्ञ करना-कराना, दान देना और लेना; क्षत्रिय के लिए प्रजा की रक्षा करना, दान देना, यज्ञ करना, वेद पढ़ना और विषयों में आसक्त न रहना; वैश्य के लिए पशुओं की रक्षा करना, दान देना, यज्ञ करना, वेद पढ़ना, व्यापार करना, ब्याज लेना और कृषि करना तथा शूद्रों के लिए तीनों वर्णों की सेवा करना मुख्य कर्त्तव्य बताए गए हैं। विभिन्न वर्णों के ये कर्त्तव्य ही वर्ण-धर्म हैं। इनके पालन से समस्त वर्णों के लोग धार्मिक, सामाजिक और आर्थिक उपलब्धि कर सकते हैं।
आश्रम-धर्म
वैदिक-काल से ही आर्यों ने ‘आश्रम-व्यवस्था’ की ओर बढ़ना आरम्भ कर दिया था। उत्तरवैदिक-काल में चार आश्रमों का स्वरूप स्पष्ट रूप से सामने आया। ऋषियों ने मनुष्य जीवन को बाल्यावस्था से लेकर वृद्धावस्था तक चार आश्रमों में विभाजित किया- ब्रह्मचर्य आश्रम, गृहस्थ आश्रम, वानप्रस्थ आश्रम और सन्यास आश्रम।
इस व्यवस्था के माध्यम से मनुष्य अपना नैतिक, आध्यात्मिक और शारीरिक विकास कर सकता था। मनु के अनुसार इन चारों आश्रमों का विधिवत् पालन करके मनुष्य परम मोक्ष को प्राप्त करता है तथा ब्रह्मलोक का भागी बन जाता है। आश्रम-धर्म का पालन समस्त द्विज वर्ग के लिए श्रेयस्कर माना गया है। मनुष्य जीवन के अन्तिम लक्ष्य अर्थात् ‘मोक्ष’ को प्राप्त करने का यही एक सुगम और सुनियोजित मार्ग था। प्रत्येक आश्रम के लिए अलग नियम और संयम निर्धारित किए गए थे।
ब्रह्मचर्य आश्रम: ब्रह्मचर्य आश्रम के अन्तर्गत ब्रह्मचारी के लिए निर्देशित किया गया कि वह गुरु के सानिध्य में रहकर वेदाध्ययन करे, सूर्योदय से पूर्व उठे, स्नानादि से निवृत्त होकर सन्ध्योपासना और गायत्री मंत्र का जाप करे, शाकाहारी रहते हुए प्रसाधन सामग्री, स्त्री-स्पर्श, संगीत, नत्य आदि से दूर रहे, अपनी इन्द्रियों को वश में रखे, गुरु की सेवा करे तथा भिक्षा मांग कर अपना तथा गुरु का पोषण करे आदि।
गृहस्थ आश्रम: गृहस्थ के लिए आवश्यक था कि वह त्रिवर्ग (धर्म, अर्थ और काम) का सेवन करता हुआ गृहस्थी के कार्यों का सम्पादन करे। मनु के अनुसार गृहस्थ आश्रम समुद्र के समान है जिसमें अन्य आश्रम नदी की तरह आकर मिलते हैं। गृहस्थ के लिए अंहिसा, सत्य वचन, दान आदि उत्तम धर्म माने गए। साथ ही पंच महायज्ञों का प्रावधान किया गया। देव-ऋण और पितृ-ऋण से मुक्ति भी गृहस्थ आश्रम के माध्यम से ही संभव थी।
वानप्रस्थ आश्रम: वानप्रस्थ आश्रम में व्यक्ति को सांसारिक मोह-माया त्यागकर वन में रहना होता था। उसे दम (इन्द्रिय निग्रह), संयम, त्याग, अनुशासन, धर्माचरण, सेवाभाव, तपस्या धर्म-चर्चा एवं स्वाध्याय आदि के माध्यम से स्वयं को सन्यास आश्रम के लिए तैयार करना होता था।
सन्यास आश्रम: सन्यास आश्रम में व्यक्ति स्वयं को संसार से पूर्णतः विरक्त करके ईश्वर भक्ति में लीन हो जाता था। उसे मोह, लोभ, क्रोध आदि से दूर रहकर सत्य, अंिहंसा, अस्तेय, अपरिग्रह, ब्रह्मचर्य, तप, स्वाध्याय आदि का पालन करना पड़ता था।
इस प्रकार आश्रम-धर्म का पालन करना प्रत्येक व्यक्ति का परम कर्त्तव्य था, जिसके द्वारा व्यक्ति अपने जीवन को संतुलित एवं उन्नत बनाता था।