Dharma = Universal Order

This universe is sustained by an order, thus enabling us to discover laws of nature, and make use of them to lead a better life. What is this order? Where did it come from? Is it just pure energy? If so, what makes this energy exist? These are some of the questions that would arise in one's mind when we think about the vast universe we live in.

It is simply mind-boggling, yet the order sustains this universe. Not only sustains, but it also has the power to create and destroy. It is said that the universe goes through an endless cycle of creation and destruction. Carl Sagan mentions in one of his documentaries that this is probably what happens in our universe. In the scriptures too we have the mention of the 100 years of Brahma and the cycle of death and rebirth. 

The question is not only in our mind but it is right in front of us and around us. What is this order that sustains this life on this planet and in this universe? This order is what Hinduism calls as Dharma. 

The most common notion of Dharma is that is has to do with duties, rules and responsibilities. However, the deeper meaning of this word is seldom explored. Dharma means the universal order, or simply the nature of things as it is. For example, the Dharma of a sugar crystal is its sweetness. The Dharma of the sun is to shine, give off light and heat. Similarly there is Dharma in all orders of life like the water cycle, carbon cycle and so forth. This is what we call the Universal Dharma. 

Our Individual Dharma consists of aligning ourselves to this Universal Dharma in order for us to function in harmony with this Universal Order. This Individual Dharma is called Swadharma. Meaning our own Dharma. Since the Universal Order has provided everything in order for us to exist, there comes a need for us to provide back. We are indebted to the Universal Order and therefore, in order to be debt-free, we have to follow Dharma. This is why it becomes so very essential to follow righteousness. 

However, how do we know what is righteous behaviour ad what is not? We will not be able to tell because we, as humans, possess the abilities to form our opinions such as our likes and dislikes. One can ask what is so wrong in following our likes and dislikes. This is wrong because in the situation of following our likes and dislikes, we become subjective. However, scriptural injunctions are objective. In the process of being subjective, we might become disharmonious with the Universal Order. This, in the long run, leads only to destruction of the Universal Order. We can see this happening in the world today. A hole in the ozone layer is one good example.