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'Dharma' is not 'Religion'; Dharma grants liberation – RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat clarifies
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has made a significant statement regarding the true meaning of 'Dharma'. He remarked, "Religion is not Dharma. Dharma does not bind; Dharma grants liberation."
Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the three-day 'Yuva Dharma Parishad' (Youth Dharma Conference) at the Gita Bhavan in the Avantika region of Madhya Pradesh. On this occasion, he articulated his detailed perspective on Dharma. Approximately 1,600 to 1,700 youths, students, teachers, and religious leaders from over 24 states across the country are participating in this conference.
Mohan Bhagwat said, "Whether you believe it or not, everything operates according to the principles of Dharma. To understand Dharma, one must first free oneself from the thoughts that clutter the mind. Dharma has existed since the creation of the universe and will remain until its dissolution; everything is sustained by it. For me, my Dharma has been established since birth and will remain so until death. Dharma is the source of all happiness."
The difference between Dharma and Religion
Bhagwat clarified that 'Dharma' and 'Religion' are often confused, yet there is a distinction between the two. While Dharma can be associated with a specific belief, sect, or religious tradition, its scope is far broader. What is currently referred to as 'religion' is not true Dharma; Dharma transcends even that. He said, “There was no word for *Dharma* in the English language, and there isn't one today either. Gurudev Ranade (Head of the Philosophy Department at Allahabad University) used to say that there is a *Dharma* that transcends every specific religion. Only if other religions align with that *Dharma* will everything function harmoniously. The British used the word ‘religion’ to assert the superiority of their own heritage. Swami Vivekananda also used this term. However, ‘religion’ is not *Dharma*.”
What is *Dharma*?
Bhagwat explained that the word ‘*Dharma*’ is derived from the root ‘*Dhru*’ (or ‘*Dhr*’), which means ‘to uphold’ or ‘to sustain.’ *Dharma* is the discipline that fosters the development of the entire universe; it binds everyone together, preventing fragmentation; it defines duties based on the inherent nature of all living beings; and it facilitates both material and spiritual progress.
He continued, “The word ‘religion’ originates from ‘*religo*,’ which means to bind or to keep under discipline. In contrast, *Dharma* does not bind; *Dharma* grants liberation. When religions adhere to *Dharma*, they liberate humanity. When they deviate from *Dharma*, sectarian discord and atrocities arise. We must dispel the deeply ingrained notion that ‘religion’ is synonymous with *Dharma*.”
Citing five verses from the *Mahabharata*, Bhagwat explained that when *Dharma* is practiced correctly, it leads to liberation. He further noted that engaging in a discussion without first clearing away the dust—accumulated in our minds over centuries of oblivion and two hundred years of distorted conditioning—would be as futile as pouring water onto an overturned pot.
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has made a significant statement regarding the true meaning of 'Dharma'. He remarked, "Religion is not Dharma. Dharma does not bind; Dharma grants liberation."
Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the three-day 'Yuva Dharma Parishad' (Youth Dharma Conference) at the Gita Bhavan in the Avantika region of Madhya Pradesh. On this occasion, he articulated his detailed perspective on Dharma. Approximately 1,600 to 1,700 youths, students, teachers, and religious leaders from over 24 states across the country are participating in this conference.
Mohan Bhagwat said, "Whether you believe it or not, everything operates according to the principles of Dharma. To understand Dharma, one must first free oneself from the thoughts that clutter the mind. Dharma has existed since the creation of the universe and will remain until its dissolution; everything is sustained by it. For me, my Dharma has been established since birth and will remain so until death. Dharma is the source of all happiness."
The difference between Dharma and Religion
Bhagwat clarified that 'Dharma' and 'Religion' are often confused, yet there is a distinction between the two. While Dharma can be associated with a specific belief, sect, or religious tradition, its scope is far broader. What is currently referred to as 'religion' is not true Dharma; Dharma transcends even that. He said, “There was no word for *Dharma* in the English language, and there isn't one today either. Gurudev Ranade (Head of the Philosophy Department at Allahabad University) used to say that there is a *Dharma* that transcends every specific religion. Only if other religions align with that *Dharma* will everything function harmoniously. The British used the word ‘religion’ to assert the superiority of their own heritage. Swami Vivekananda also used this term. However, ‘religion’ is not *Dharma*.”
What is *Dharma*?
Bhagwat explained that the word ‘*Dharma*’ is derived from the root ‘*Dhru*’ (or ‘*Dhr*’), which means ‘to uphold’ or ‘to sustain.’ *Dharma* is the discipline that fosters the development of the entire universe; it binds everyone together, preventing fragmentation; it defines duties based on the inherent nature of all living beings; and it facilitates both material and spiritual progress.
He continued, “The word ‘religion’ originates from ‘*religo*,’ which means to bind or to keep under discipline. In contrast, *Dharma* does not bind; *Dharma* grants liberation. When religions adhere to *Dharma*, they liberate humanity. When they deviate from *Dharma*, sectarian discord and atrocities arise. We must dispel the deeply ingrained notion that ‘religion’ is synonymous with *Dharma*.”
Citing five verses from the *Mahabharata*, Bhagwat explained that when *Dharma* is practiced correctly, it leads to liberation. He further noted that engaging in a discussion without first clearing away the dust—accumulated in our minds over centuries of oblivion and two hundred years of distorted conditioning—would be as futile as pouring water onto an overturned pot.
Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the three-day 'Yuva Dharma Parishad' (Youth Dharma Conference) at the Gita Bhavan in the Avantika region of Madhya Pradesh. On this occasion, he articulated his detailed perspective on Dharma. Approximately 1,600 to 1,700 youths, students, teachers, and religious leaders from over 24 states across the country are participating in this conference.
Mohan Bhagwat said, "Whether you believe it or not, everything operates according to the principles of Dharma. To understand Dharma, one must first free oneself from the thoughts that clutter the mind. Dharma has existed since the creation of the universe and will remain until its dissolution; everything is sustained by it. For me, my Dharma has been established since birth and will remain so until death. Dharma is the source of all happiness."
The difference between Dharma and Religion
Bhagwat clarified that 'Dharma' and 'Religion' are often confused, yet there is a distinction between the two. While Dharma can be associated with a specific belief, sect, or religious tradition, its scope is far broader. What is currently referred to as 'religion' is not true Dharma; Dharma transcends even that. He said, “There was no word for *Dharma* in the English language, and there isn't one today either. Gurudev Ranade (Head of the Philosophy Department at Allahabad University) used to say that there is a *Dharma* that transcends every specific religion. Only if other religions align with that *Dharma* will everything function harmoniously. The British used the word ‘religion’ to assert the superiority of their own heritage. Swami Vivekananda also used this term. However, ‘religion’ is not *Dharma*.”
What is *Dharma*?
Bhagwat explained that the word ‘*Dharma*’ is derived from the root ‘*Dhru*’ (or ‘*Dhr*’), which means ‘to uphold’ or ‘to sustain.’ *Dharma* is the discipline that fosters the development of the entire universe; it binds everyone together, preventing fragmentation; it defines duties based on the inherent nature of all living beings; and it facilitates both material and spiritual progress.
He continued, “The word ‘religion’ originates from ‘*religo*,’ which means to bind or to keep under discipline. In contrast, *Dharma* does not bind; *Dharma* grants liberation. When religions adhere to *Dharma*, they liberate humanity. When they deviate from *Dharma*, sectarian discord and atrocities arise. We must dispel the deeply ingrained notion that ‘religion’ is synonymous with *Dharma*.”
Citing five verses from the *Mahabharata*, Bhagwat explained that when *Dharma* is practiced correctly, it leads to liberation. He further noted that engaging in a discussion without first clearing away the dust—accumulated in our minds over centuries of oblivion and two hundred years of distorted conditioning—would be as futile as pouring water onto an overturned pot.
