"One’s own karma performed diligently, even though it may not be the best thing, is better than others’ karma performed in a most satisfying manner". What then is svadharma?
Certain qualities, powers, propensities, and enthusiasm come to some people naturally. Using such qualities, that mindset and those internal faculties for the benefit of the world is dharma.
Human nature is composed of the triad of guṇas – sattva, rajas, and tamas. It is true of the universe also. A man’s inner nature influences his outward behaviour and vice-versa. The essence of graha-atigraha mentioned in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad is this mutual impulse.
tattvavit-tu mahābāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ ।
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti mattvā na sajjate ॥ (BG 3.28)
There is another thing to consider. Illustrious people such as Janaka, who are greater than you have all performed karma much before you.
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ।
loka-saṅgraham-evāpi saṃpaśyan kartum-arhasi ॥ BG 3.20“Janaka and others attained fulfilment by karma only; You should also perform your duty keeping the welfare of the world in mind”.
Who are devas? Various pictures of divine beings holding a trident, staff, rope, or discus might arise in our minds. These pictures are useful elsewhere; they can assist in meditation. When we are studying philosophy, devas are the powers of creation and nature – great powers of various kinds. The relationship between humans and these superhuman deities may not be directly observable to us. But it cannot be said that they do not exist just because they are not seen. For most of us living in Bangalore, China is unseen. But does China not exist?
“When devas are worshipped and satisfied, they give rain and good crops.”
Thus, one who leads life in the form of tapas, yajña, and dāna, does not have to hanker after mokṣa. It is readily available. By leading a life that is dedicated to the divine, he climbs above the duality caused by lust and anger. Gradually he will realize that there is something beyond worldly enjoyment and becomes eligible to see the abode of paramātmā. Then is freedom from karmic shackles.
yastvātmaratirēva syādātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥ |
If we consider the verses between the ninth verse – “yajñārthāt...” and the sixteenth verse – “moghaṃ pārtha sa jīvati” as one single meaningful portion, the meaning might be clearer. The style of the text here is a little complex. Two or three metaphors are combined thus: Kāmadhenu (the milch-cow of desire), jīva-cakra (the cycle of jīvas), brahma-cakra (the cycle of brahma). The topics too are knotty. Food, rain, crops, yajñā, distribution of the fruit of labour — thus many ideas are intertwined here.
Sat-karma itself is dharma. It is of three kinds:
naranahudu hariyumahuda-
ccariyahudu rahasyamahudu rasikanaliptaṃ।
pariṇata-laukikanumahudu
paripūrṇa-manuṣya-jīvanōjjvala-mukuraṃ॥
He is human and also Hari,
He is wonderful, a secret, a rasika who is unattached,
He is an expert too in the matters of the world
He (Kṛṣṇa) is the glowing mirror to a complete human life.
guruvātaṃ dharmadhuraṃ-
dharanātaṃ rājyataṃtri raṇajayiyātaṃ।
puruṣārtha-sakalanātaṃ
hariyenisidanakhiladātmanakhilātītaṃ॥
ಇಂತಿದ್ದರೂ ಶಂಕರ-ಆನಂದವರ್ಧನರು ತಮ್ಮ ಕಾಲವನ್ನಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಾಲವನ್ನೂ ಮೀರಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಬಲ್ಲ ಸತ್ತ್ವವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರ ವಿಚಾರಗಳನ್ನು ರೂಪಮಾತ್ರದಿಂದ ಅಳೆಯುವುದು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ, ನಮಗೂ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಅನ್ಯಾಯ; ಜ್ಞಾನಜಗತ್ತಿಗೇ ಮಾಡುವ ಅನ್ಯಾಯ. ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಜಟಿಲತೆಯಿಂದ, ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗಳ ಅಸುಂದರತೆಯಿಂದ, ವಾದೋಪಯೋಗಿಯಾದ ನ್ಯಾಯ-ದೃಷ್ಟಾಂತಗಳ ಏಕದೇಶೀಯತೆಯಿಂದ ಅವರ ತತ್ತ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಕೊರತೆಯಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಅಂಶಗಳನ್ನು ನಾವು ಅವರಿಗಿಂತ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಆ ಪರಂಪರೆಯಿಂದಲೋ ನಮ್ಮ ಪರಿಸರದಿಂದಲೋ ತುಂಬಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದು. ಇದು ಕಷ್ಟದ ಸಂಗತಿಯೇನಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಅವರು ಕಾಣಿಸಿದ ತತ್ತ್ವವನ್ನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಯಾರೇ ಆಗಲಿ ತಾವಾಗಿ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ಕರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವೆಂಬಷ್ಟರ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ದುಷ್ಕರ.