Sanatana Dharma, often referred to as timeless ethics, holds the key to addressing global challenges and fostering a better world. While its wisdom may seem idealistic, its principles, when embraced with commitment, can transcend from individual growth to societal well-being, offering guidance for leaders and policymakers.
The Power of Dharma in Governance
Practicing Sanatana Dharma can cultivate responsible individuals who contribute positively to their families, workplaces, communities, and nations. Dharma becomes the cornerstone for the sustainable functioning and excellence of organizations, especially in government. By integrating dharma into the thoughts, words, and deeds of politicians and administrators, a foundation of good governance can be established at both state and national levels.
Four Challenges, One Solution
Humanity faces four major challenges: maintaining peace, combating climate change, ensuring inclusive growth, and fostering a global culture of ethics. Sanatana Dharma provides insightful solutions to navigate these challenges.
- World Peace: The core value of Santi, or peace, emphasized in Sanatana Dharma, becomes crucial. The Santi Mantra, praying for peace in the entire cosmos, encourages nations to work collaboratively for regional and global peace. Maitri, or friendliness, can guide nations in resolving disputes with neighbors through dialogue and understanding, fostering a spirit of non-violence.
- Climate Crisis: The concept of purusharthas, life goals in Sanatana Dharma, promotes responsible consumption. Prioritizing dharma, ethics, over wealth (artha) and desires (kama) becomes paramount. Sanatana Dharma advocates avoiding excess (Ati sarvatra varjayet) to inspire sustainable practices like 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.' Embracing the notion of five debts, especially the debt to the environment, becomes a driving force for environmental responsibility.
- Inclusive Growth: Sanatana Dharma prayers like Sarve janah sukhino bhavantu and Loka samastah sukhino bhavantu advocate universal well-being. Leaders are urged to constantly monitor and work towards the welfare of all citizens, ensuring that comfort, education, health, and livelihood are accessible to everyone, not just the elite.
- Global Culture of Dharma: Upholding the society, dharma, is crucial, as stated in Dharayati iti dharma. The reciprocal relationship between protecting dharma and being protected by it (Dharmo rakshati rakshitah) emphasizes the significance of ethics. Neglecting dharma results in adharma, which eventually leads to destruction. Re-establishment (samsthapanam) is essential to counteract the erosion of dharma.
Conclusion: The Practical Wisdom of Sanatana Dharma
While the counsel embedded in Sanatana Dharma may initially seem impractical, it stands as the most effective path. Embracing its principles can guide humanity towards a harmonious and sustainable future, offering not just a way but perhaps the only way.
By Dr. M B Athreya