In the Bhagavad-gita, the word ‘dharma’ is used repeatedly. Let’s consider its two main usages — main in the sense that these two meanings matter the most to the Gita’s central message.

First key usage of dharma: This occurs in a context that is seminal to the Gita; it is in Arjuna’s first question (02.07): what is dharma? How can we know what dharma means here? One way is by looking at the context. Arjuna is confused, even paralyzed, because he is being pulled by two duties: his duty as a warrior, which required him to fight against aggressors even if they happened to be relatives; and his duty as a dynastic leader, which required him to protect his relatives even if they happened to be aggressors. Given that he had to choose among two opposing duties, here dharma refers to duty; essentially, he is asking: what is the right thing to do?

Second key usage of dharma: This occurs in one of the most-quoted Gita verses (04.08), wherein Krishna states that he descends periodically to establish dharma. What does dharma mean here? Let’s consider the process by which Krishna intends to establish dharma: delivering the virtuous and destroying the vicious. What is the result of this process? The establishment of a virtuous social order. Such an order is referred to here as dharma.

Are these two meanings of dharma related? Yes, they are synergistic: dharma (order) in society aids dharma (duty) in the individual and individual dharma aids social dharma. If society is organized well so as to, say, punish the corrupt, that encourages individuals to do their duty honestly. And if individuals do their duties responsibly, that helps in maintaining a sound social order.

One-sentence summary:

Gita wisdom helps enlighten individuals in dharma (duty) and establish dharma (order) in society.

Think it over:

  • What is the first key usage of dharma in the Gita? What does it mean?
  • What is the second key usage of dharma in the Gita? What does it mean?
  • How are these two meanings inter-related?

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04.08: To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.

The two main meanings of dharma in the Gita — and how they synergize

To know more about this verse, please click on the image