Adharma, like dharma, is associated with one’s ashrama (stage of life) and varna (social status). Loosely, Adharma in Hinduism can be defined as unrighteousness. It is indefinable as the term dharma (which stands for individual values and social ideals).
Dharma is an ethico-social concept, a product of society and social institutions. Dharma and Adharma are like punya and papa, merit and wrong acts, terms referring respectively to what is good and what is bad for others. The concepts of dharma and adharma depend on tradition and custom. Even among the eternally valid values like truth and non-violence, it is difficult to come to any conclusion in a dilemma when they are mutually conflicting.
Telling a lie is not adharma if it is done to save a pious and innocent man.
Adharma in Hinduism: Unrighteousness and Its Modern-Day Relevance
In Hinduism, the concept of adharma is as fundamental as dharma, yet the two are polar opposites. While dharma represents righteousness, moral duty, and ethical living in accordance with cosmic and social order, adharma stands for unrighteousness, chaos, and actions that disrupt the harmony of society and nature.
Symbolism and Understanding of Adharma:
Adharma is often symbolized as a force that leads to disorder and suffering. It represents moral decline, selfish actions, and disregard for societal norms and spiritual laws. In Hindu mythology, figures like Ravana from the Ramayana and Duryodhana from the Mahabharata are often depicted as embodying adharma through their actions—such as violating sacred principles, abusing power, and causing harm to others.
However, the concept of adharma is not always clear-cut. As you rightly pointed out, the interpretation of what constitutes adharma often depends on one’s varna (social class) and ashrama (stage of life). A specific action can be regarded as adharma for one person but not for another, depending on their duty or role in society. For instance, a warrior (kshatriya) is expected to engage in battle and protect society, while a priest (brahmin) is expected to pursue peace and knowledge.
Dharma and Adharma: A Complex Moral Landscape
Both dharma and adharma are context-dependent, much like punya (merit) and papa (sin). What is considered moral or immoral can vary based on circumstances. Hindu scriptures like the Mahabharata often illustrate the ambiguity of dharma. In one famous instance, Yudhishthira, who is regarded as the embodiment of dharma, tells a lie to deceive his teacher Dronacharya during the war, leading to Drona's downfall. While lying is generally against dharma, in this case, the lie was told to protect the greater good and prevent further bloodshed, demonstrating that the lines between dharma and adharma can blur when one faces moral dilemmas.
This nuanced understanding is encapsulated in a famous verse from the Mahabharata:
“Dharmo rakshati rakshitah” — Dharma protects those who protect it.
In times of crisis, like those faced by Yudhishthira, one may have to choose the lesser evil in order to uphold the broader principles of righteousness. Telling a lie is not adharma if it is done to save an innocent person.
Stories from Hinduism and Symbolic Examples:
One famous story that exemplifies dharma and adharma comes from the life of King Harishchandra. Harishchandra is known for his unwavering commitment to truth (satya), even in the face of extreme suffering. He loses his kingdom, wealth, and family but refuses to abandon his moral values. His steadfastness in truth eventually wins him divine grace, restoring his kingdom and family. In this story, King Harishchandra's refusal to engage in adharma (falsehood) is a symbol of moral strength, even when adharma could have temporarily alleviated his suffering.
Yet, in the Mahabharata, Krishna advises Arjuna to take up arms and fight against his kin, teaching him that it is his dharma as a warrior to fight for justice, even if that means killing his relatives. This highlights that sometimes what appears to be adharma (killing one's kin) may, in fact, align with one’s dharma if it serves a greater cosmic or social good.
Modern-Day Relevance:
In today’s world, the principles of dharma and adharma are still highly relevant. The rapid pace of societal changes often puts us in situations where right and wrong are not clearly defined. Ethical dilemmas at work, decisions related to family, and social justice issues often leave us wondering whether our actions are aligned with moral values or if they fall into the realm of adharma.
For example, in the modern-day corporate world, someone might face a situation where they are pressured to lie for business gain. Though lying would generally be seen as adharma, if the lie serves to protect the jobs of many people or prevent harm to the environment, the situation becomes complex. Hinduism teaches us to think beyond the black-and-white nature of ethics and look at the broader consequences of our actions.
Practicality in Daily Life:
In day-to-day life, practicing dharma means aligning your actions with principles of truth, fairness, compassion, and justice, while adharma is the act of knowingly causing harm, deceit, or injustice. Some examples of these principles in daily life include:
- Standing up for someone being treated unfairly at work or school, even if it is difficult.
- Choosing to be environmentally conscious, because harming nature is seen as adharma.
- Speaking the truth in personal relationships, though doing so with sensitivity, as unnecessarily harsh truths can cause harm.
Scriptural Insights and Quotes:
The Bhagavad Gita offers timeless wisdom on navigating dharma and adharma. Lord Krishna says to Arjuna:
"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, I manifest myself to protect the good, to destroy the wicked, and to reestablish dharma" (Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8).
This reflects the eternal struggle between dharma and adharma in human society, suggesting that whenever unrighteousness (adharma) overwhelms the social and cosmic order, divine forces intervene to restore balance.
Adharma is not just about evil or moral failures but encompasses any action that disrupts the social, ethical, and cosmic order. The idea that actions depend on circumstances, social roles, and personal intentions makes the distinction between dharma and adharma more nuanced than a simple moral binary. In today’s world, these ancient concepts still resonate, urging us to navigate ethical complexities with wisdom, compassion, and an understanding of the larger good.