Significance of Dharma and Adharma
Dharma and Adharma represent the dual concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness across various philosophical and religious perspectives, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Dharma signifies moral duty, good actions, and the principles guiding ethical behavior, while Adharma denotes immorality, wrongdoing, and lawlessness. These concepts play essential roles in shaping moral understanding, guiding individual actions, and influencing the philosophical discourse on good and bad within the cultural context of India.
Synonyms: Righteousness, Virtue, Moral law, Duty, Justice, Moral order, Wickedness, Immorality, Unrighteousness, Injustice, Virtue and vice, Righteousness and unrighteousness, Moral and immoral, Good and evil
In Dutch: Dharma en Adharma; In Finnish: Dharma ja Adharma; In Spanish: Dharma y Adharma
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Dharma and Adharma'
Dharma and Adharma in Buddhism represent moral principles of right (Dharma) and wrong (Adharma), guiding ethical conduct and behavior. Understanding these concepts is essential for moral philosophy and spiritual practice, emphasizing righteousness and unrighteousness.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Concepts representing the principles of righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma); knowledge of these principles is crucial for true understanding.[1] (2) Dharma refers to moral duty and righteousness, while adharma signifies the opposite, encompassing wrongdoing or immorality.[2] (3) Concepts representing righteousness and unrighteousness, respectively, that are central to moral philosophy.[3] (4) Moral and ethical principles that are beyond the direct comprehension of the physical senses.[4] (5) Concepts referring to moral order (Dharma) and chaos or immorality (Adharma) that are said to be unrelated to the knowledge of all individuals and components.[5]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, which provide an understanding of good and bad actions.[6]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Concepts of morality and immorality that were mislabelled by the damned, leading to their spiritual downfalls.[7]
Hindu concept of 'Dharma and Adharma'
In Hinduism, Dharma signifies righteous actions and societal values, while Adharma represents unrighteousness and sin. These concepts guide moral behavior, influencing existence and ethical conduct throughout different yugas and shaping the cosmic balance.
From: Skanda Purana
(1) Moral law and its violation discussed in relation to various narratives in the Puranas.[8] (2) Dharma refers to righteousness and piety while Adharma is the absence of righteousness or impiety.[9] (3) Concepts of righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma) that govern moral actions.[10] (4) Piety and impiety—two opposing forces or moral principles originating from Brahma.[11] (5) Concepts representing piety and impiety, which stem from the creator and illustrate the moral complexities of existence.[12]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) Concepts representing righteousness and moral law (Dharma) versus unrighteousness and sin (Adharma), influencing decisions about the nature of sacrifice.[13] (2) Concepts referring to auspicious (Dharma) and inauspicious (Adharma) rites and behaviors as described in the text.[14] (3) Concepts of virtue and evil, which were absent in certain sub-continents referenced, indicating a perfect moral state.[15] (4) The dual concepts of righteous actions (Dharma) and sins or wrongdoings (Adharma) that affect the moral landscape of all living beings.[16] (5) Dharma represents virtue and righteousness, while Adharma signifies sin and unrighteousness.[17]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, respectively, which influence the behavioral aspects of beings in different yugas.[18] (2) Dharma refers to the righteous duties and path in life, whereas adharma signifies activities that are contrary to this path.[19] (3) Dharma is righteousness according to Vedic prescriptions, while adharma is the opposite, or unrighteousness.[20]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Dharma refers to righteousness, while Adharma denotes unrighteousness, both pertaining to moral behaviors in life.[21] (2) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, respectively, guiding moral and ethical behavior.[22] (3) The distinction between righteous duty (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma), central to the moral confusion faced by Janamejaya.[23]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Moral righteousness versus moral corruption, the guiding principles of behavior.[24] (2) Concepts denoting moral virtue (Dharma) and moral vice (Adharma), which fluctuate in influence across the four yugas.[25] (3) The contrasting forces of righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma) illustrated during the battle.[26]
From: Linga Purana
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness that are considered irrelevant to those engaged deeply in meditation.[27] (2) Dharma refers to auspicious activities that uphold societal values, while Adharma denotes inauspicious actions that do not support these principles.[28] (3) The personifications of righteousness and unrighteousness, respectively, who have numerous offspring.[29]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Principles representing righteous duty (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma) which are established through the arrangement of life.[30] (2) The concepts of virtue (dharma) and sin (adharma) that the characters discuss regarding their greater power in the world.[31]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) Dharma refers to virtue and righteousness flourishing with four legs, while Adharma refers to sin that was depicted with one leg during this era.[32]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, which the enlightened individual does not discriminate.[33]
From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness that Vishnu will establish and exterminate, respectively.[34]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) Principles of righteousness and unrighteousness that are considered the good flowers on the tree of creation, influencing moral and ethical behavior.[35]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The past righteous and unrighteous actions that influence the jiva's current existence.[36] (2) The principles of righteousness and unrighteousness that are understood to be illusory and without true existence when one realizes their non-dual nature.[37] (3) Dharma refers to righteous or moral actions, while adharma refers to unrighteous or immoral actions that arise from one's desires.[38]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Represent moral righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma), respectively, described as the eyes of the bird Om.[39] (2) Concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness that are consumed during the dissolution process.[40]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The concepts of righteous and unrighteous actions, which can instigate causes of fear in individuals.[41]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) Refers to virtue and non-virtue connected to observance and non-observance of duties as per Vedas.[42]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Dharma refers to righteousness or duty in Hindu philosophy, while adharma signifies the opposite, indicating actions or principles that go against dharma.[43] (2) The dual concepts representing meritorious acts (Dharma) and acts of wrongdoing (Adharma) as defined by their consequences.[44] (3) Concepts representing righteousness and unrighteousness, which guide the moral considerations in the investigation of cases.[45] (4) Concepts representing right and wrong actions, respectively, central to the ethical framework discussed in the texts.[46]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Concepts representing virtuous and vicious deeds that aid in the contact of the soul and mind, influencing effort and living.[47] (2) The principles of moral righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma) that are properties of the self and indicate its moral qualities.[48] (3) Moral and immoral principles that govern the actions and experiences of the individual, influencing rebirth and the soul's journey.[49] (4) Dharma refers to actions that are in alignment with moral and ethical principles, while Adharma denotes actions that contradict these principles.[50]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Dharma signifies right activity that upholds order, while Adharma represents its opposite, contributing to moral and ethical conduct.[51] (2) Dharma refers to the moral order of the universe, while Adharma signifies disorder; the balance of these concepts is critical for the cosmos's existence.[52]
From: Sivaprakasam (Study in Bondage and Liberation)
(1) Examples illustrating opposition; dharma represents righteousness while adharma represents unrighteousness.[53]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Dharma refers to actions that yield piety, while adharma pertains to actions that lead to sin; both are mentioned in the Shrutis as guiding principles for conduct.[54]
Jain concept of 'Dharma and Adharma'
In Jainism, Dharma represents the principle of lawfulness and righteousness, facilitating motion, while Adharma signifies lawlessness and moral decay, representing rest. Together, they embody the dualities of action and stillness in the universe.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) These terms represent the dual principles of motion and rest that encompass all actions and stillness in the universe.[55] (2) Both mediums that play critical roles in facilitating motion and rest, respectively.[56]
From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)
(1) The concepts of righteousness and unrighteousness, or moral law versus immoral actions.[57]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) Concepts co-extensive with the world, representing lawfulness (Dharma) and lawlessness or moral decay (Adharma).[58]
The concept of Dharma and Adharma in local and regional sources
Dharma and Adharma in the Ramayana symbolize righteousness and unrighteousness, as depicted by Valmiki, emphasizing that these concepts are universally applicable to all individuals, transcending gender distinctions.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The concepts of righteousness (dharma) and unrighteousness (adharma) illustrated through the conflicts in the Mahabharata.[59] (2) Concepts in the Ramayana representing righteousness and unrighteousness, which Valmiki suggests apply equally to all individuals regardless of gender.[60]