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स्वधर्म, परधर्म और शिवत्व || आचार्य प्रशांत (2018)
आचार्य प्रशांत
3.7K views
7 years ago
Swadharma
Pardharma
Shiva Consciousness
Mental Conditioning
Bodily Tendencies
Bodha
Maya
Maturity
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that 'Sudharma' or 'Swadharma' is a way of living where one does not give undue importance to bodily tendencies and mental conditioning. These two factors—the body and the mind—are the primary forces that act against 'Dharma' by pulling an individual in predetermined directions. Following the directions dictated by the body and mind is 'Pardharma'. Swadharma is not a fixed path but becomes clear naturally when one avoids the traps of Pardharma. Therefore, the focus should not be on 'practicing' Swadharma, but on avoiding the entanglement of Pardharma. He further describes 'Shiva Consciousness' as a state of consciousness that is entirely empty of worldly objects and imperfections. This emptiness is not a lack of truth but a state of being free from defects or 'Vikaras'. Regarding the understanding of truth, Acharya Prashant asserts that the only measure of true understanding is a change in one's life and actions. While concepts and beliefs might provide a sense of pride or certainty, true realization or 'Bodha' brings a sense of freedom from past bondages and a visible shift in how one lives. Addressing the influence of childhood conditioning, he notes that people often remain stuck in the past because they continue to live like children to enjoy certain benefits, such as a lack of responsibility. However, this 'childishness' comes at the cost of slavery and past traumas. To be free, one must choose maturity over the comforts of childhood. Finally, he clarifies that being 'clean' in the presence of a Guru does not refer to physical bathing, but to being free from bodily tendencies and mental conditioning. True cleanliness is being 'free of the body' rather than just washing it.