One good friend of mine shared his observation about me “You are becoming more and more “धार्मिक” (spiritual, righteous) day by day. Are you planning to become priest or what?”
I smiled (laughed inside) and replied, “I am happy that you noticed it as it instills faith in this saying:’ Possibilities for good changes never go unnoticed from pious eyesight.’ (And asking this question is first step for anyone to become धार्मिक) Is being धार्मिक a private social status that only priest and sant can acquire? Why did we make it exclusive for temple owners? I wonder, what is wrong in following धर्म (it doesn’t mean religion(s)) and becoming धार्मिक(not religious)? Don’t we aspire sustainable development, sustainable economy, and sustainable environment? How do you achieve sustainment and equilibrium? What is wrong in finding ways to achieve sustainment?
What is wrong if I spare some time out of earning body ‘s bread-butter and invest it for mind’s bread-butter? Isn’t it wise investment of scarce commodity i.e time? It is rich mind who gives body a unique identity. Why are we afraid to nurture mind by becoming little more spiritual while we happily spend tons of timelines of life to nurture body by becoming little more materialistic?
Isn’t healthy mind important for healthy living? Why should धर्म remain caged in religious beliefs, customs, and rituals? Why should धर्म remain suffocated in book? Why not re-make life by living based on धर्म? Understanding धर्म is considered shrillest adventure by my mind and I love to serve it. Being धार्मिक is fun, cool and I love to be called धार्मिक ! I wish and pray that soon धर्म reflects in all my कर्म! ”
My friend is not alone. Generations after generations, youth of Hindu society is purposefully alienated from their roots and ideal of living life. Need of the hour, in this world of distractions and lower attention span, is the precise introduction to the tenets of Sanatana dharma. For such friends of mine, Nithin Shridhar’s book “Samanya Dharma” is a great starting point to understand deeper meanings of dharma and in same breath, determine their own Samanya dharma, irrespective of age, gender, location.
Book begins with the goal of human birth i.e. attainment of four purushartha. In this section, Nithin explains the importance of four purushartha dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. This is beutiful way to open the subject of dharma where dharma is introduced as base of rest of three purushartha.
In next couple of sections, complexity of meaning of word “dharma” is simplified by appropriate Sastra references. One important aspect he has clarified is: difference among Rta, Satyam and Dharma! (My favourite part of the book!) Once the word is understood properly, Nithin takes us to the core of the subject i.e. Samanya dharma by classifying dharma in two broad aspects i.e. Samanya and Vishesha. This is when the book goes into the state of small rivulet to river flowing and connecting the banks, one being source of the knowledge and the other being the learner\reader of the book. From Smriti(s) to Itihasa, he has collected various flavors of Samanya dharma prescribed for us. He has taken care of point out some of the common tenets of Samanya Dharma across various sources, which helps reader to focus on most basic aspects of living dharmic life.
Book ends with lucid justification that how performing Samanya Dharma at individual level can help us solve some of the world problems as well as walk on the path of our own individual spiritual journey.
Go, read it and gift it to youth in your circle!
[I would like to thank Indic Book Club to send this book despite I still have not posted review for first two books received early this year!]
