SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Swadharma and Paradharma 
All authentic responses to the question, "Who am I?", can be seen as one's worldly identities. Swadharma refers to one’s ‘life supportive’ responsibilities by virtue of one’s scenario specific role or identity; Paradharma refers to assumed responsibilities (and/or decision making abilities and rights) of the ‘other’ or, toe stepping in short, and driven mostly by ambition, greed, etc. Conflict and Confluence of Interests[1] can be ethical or unethical depending on whether motives and actions are based on Swadharma or Paradharma respectively. All of us are players in the field of
worldly identities. We are constantly engaged in doing justice to our identities, reaching out to peer identities, and stepping up to a higher identity with higher identity responsibilities depending on lower identity responsibilities in a hierarchy; all this can be seen as falling within the ambit of Swadharma as long as the overlap of responsibilities is seen as acceptable. However, if one assumes the role of one’s peer or higher or lower identity and is seen as unacceptable by the 'other', that could be construed as Paradharma and is to be avoided. A skillful teacher comes from a higher identity relative to the student's identity of a seeker, but pretends to be only slightly more knowledgeable than the student, in keeping with one's Swadharma to make the learning process a game. Parent(s) feeding the baby until the baby can feed oneself can be seen as Swadharma. Let’s take the example of teams A and B; in the name of reaching out to team B, if team A member dresses up in the uniform of team B, it can be seen as Paradharma and is not only self-defeating, but also appreciated by none; best is for both teams A and B to step up to a shared higher identity and reach out to each other or, rely on a trusted intermediary functioning at a common and a higher identity. Celebrating 'Unity in Diversity' suggests that we retain our diverse uniforms, our unique identities, while we relate to each other. Migration between regions (cities, states, and nations), cultures, languages, religions, corporations, professions, etc. presents many challenges in the realm of Swadharma.
In these situations, one’s commitment to one’s Swadharma can be severely challenged; it is important to note that skillful commitment to Swadharma alone can fetch long term harmony and happiness. In the context of migration, one needs to be aware of the various identities and accepted practices at play and is required to be extremely skillful in ensuring that the friction is minimal and the collective satisfaction is maximal. Paradharma tempts one with short term worldly glory at the expense of hampered self-development and eroded inner wealth in the longer term. That said, the best manifestation of migration oriented Swadharma is an inner phenomenon, to 'migrate' from a grosser and lower identity mindset to a subtler and higher identity mindset:  from 'my religion first' to 'my nation first' mindset  from 'my nation first' to 'my gender first' mindset  from 'my gender first' to 'human first' mindset which needs well guided and intense self-effort and integration of wisdom to one's life; we are most certainly beyond all our limiting worldly identifications. Reference(s) 1. Conflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics

More Related Content

What's hot

Theory of Error in Classical Indian Philosophy
Theory of Error in  Classical Indian  PhilosophyTheory of Error in  Classical Indian  Philosophy
Theory of Error in Classical Indian Philosophy
Kangkan Boro
 
Bhagavad Gita Introduction
Bhagavad Gita IntroductionBhagavad Gita Introduction
Bhagavad Gita Introduction
Amritananda Das
 
Ch5ppt velasquez12
Ch5ppt velasquez12Ch5ppt velasquez12
Ch5ppt velasquez12
dborcoman
 
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle summary
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle summaryNicomachean ethics by aristotle summary
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle summary
Avone Lumanao
 
Dharma and purushrtha
Dharma and purushrthaDharma and purushrtha
Dharma and purushrtha
Ajay Dhutawale
 
Ch3ppt velasquez12
Ch3ppt velasquez12Ch3ppt velasquez12
Ch3ppt velasquez12
dborcoman
 
SALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISM
SALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISMSALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISM
SALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISM
pritihm
 
Bhagavadgita and values 6.3.13
Bhagavadgita and values   6.3.13Bhagavadgita and values   6.3.13
Bhagavadgita and values 6.3.13
ronakrj
 
Assam modern history
Assam modern historyAssam modern history
Assam modern history
VipulNath1
 
Aristotle 1.ethics.ppt
Aristotle 1.ethics.pptAristotle 1.ethics.ppt
Aristotle 1.ethics.ppt
aviapiana
 
Philosophy
PhilosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy
Manuel Dinlayan
 
Hindu powerpoint
Hindu powerpointHindu powerpoint
Hindu powerpoint
MHaggar
 
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTS
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTSBHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTS
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTS
Medicherla Kumar
 
Science in vedas
Science in vedasScience in vedas
Science in vedas
AbhishekAp6
 
Nietzsche's Philosophies
Nietzsche's Philosophies Nietzsche's Philosophies
Nietzsche's Philosophies
Waleed Liaqat
 

What's hot (15)

Theory of Error in Classical Indian Philosophy
Theory of Error in  Classical Indian  PhilosophyTheory of Error in  Classical Indian  Philosophy
Theory of Error in Classical Indian Philosophy
 
Bhagavad Gita Introduction
Bhagavad Gita IntroductionBhagavad Gita Introduction
Bhagavad Gita Introduction
 
Ch5ppt velasquez12
Ch5ppt velasquez12Ch5ppt velasquez12
Ch5ppt velasquez12
 
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle summary
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle summaryNicomachean ethics by aristotle summary
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle summary
 
Dharma and purushrtha
Dharma and purushrthaDharma and purushrtha
Dharma and purushrtha
 
Ch3ppt velasquez12
Ch3ppt velasquez12Ch3ppt velasquez12
Ch3ppt velasquez12
 
SALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISM
SALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISMSALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISM
SALIENT FEATURES OF JAINISM
 
Bhagavadgita and values 6.3.13
Bhagavadgita and values   6.3.13Bhagavadgita and values   6.3.13
Bhagavadgita and values 6.3.13
 
Assam modern history
Assam modern historyAssam modern history
Assam modern history
 
Aristotle 1.ethics.ppt
Aristotle 1.ethics.pptAristotle 1.ethics.ppt
Aristotle 1.ethics.ppt
 
Philosophy
PhilosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy
 
Hindu powerpoint
Hindu powerpointHindu powerpoint
Hindu powerpoint
 
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTS
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTSBHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTS
BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER 5 , FLOWCHARTS
 
Science in vedas
Science in vedasScience in vedas
Science in vedas
 
Nietzsche's Philosophies
Nietzsche's Philosophies Nietzsche's Philosophies
Nietzsche's Philosophies
 

Viewers also liked

Indian ethos, need, purpose
Indian ethos, need, purposeIndian ethos, need, purpose
Indian ethos, need, purpose
Chhavi Verma
 
Ethical investment
Ethical investmentEthical investment
Ethical investment
Mohamed_Hamdy_Hafez
 
Ethical issues in tax evasion ppt
Ethical issues in tax evasion pptEthical issues in tax evasion ppt
Ethical issues in tax evasion ppt
Priyesh Chheda
 
CSR - arguments for and against
CSR - arguments for and against   CSR - arguments for and against
CSR - arguments for and against
Helmee Halim
 
Ethics in Accounting
Ethics in AccountingEthics in Accounting
Ethics in Accounting
Anjiyaa
 
Ethos ppt.
Ethos ppt.Ethos ppt.
Ethos ppt.
Saurabh Tiwari
 
Indian Ethos In Management
Indian Ethos In ManagementIndian Ethos In Management
Indian Ethos In Management
guest07f300
 
Tax practice and ethics
Tax practice and ethicsTax practice and ethics
Tax practice and ethics
dphil002
 
INDIAN ETHOS 1
INDIAN ETHOS 1INDIAN ETHOS 1
INDIAN ETHOS 1
Ravi Mandal, MBA
 
Bhagavad Gita and Management
Bhagavad Gita and ManagementBhagavad Gita and Management
Bhagavad Gita and Management
arthi_shankar
 
Importance of-business-ethics
Importance of-business-ethicsImportance of-business-ethics
Importance of-business-ethics
Syed Arslan
 
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in Technology
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in TechnologyLegal, Ethical and Social Issues in Technology
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in Technology
Rachel Farnese
 
Business ethics and Corporate Governance
Business ethics and Corporate GovernanceBusiness ethics and Corporate Governance
Business ethics and Corporate Governance
saadiakh
 
Slideshare ppt
Slideshare pptSlideshare ppt
Slideshare ppt
Mandy Suzanne
 

Viewers also liked (14)

Indian ethos, need, purpose
Indian ethos, need, purposeIndian ethos, need, purpose
Indian ethos, need, purpose
 
Ethical investment
Ethical investmentEthical investment
Ethical investment
 
Ethical issues in tax evasion ppt
Ethical issues in tax evasion pptEthical issues in tax evasion ppt
Ethical issues in tax evasion ppt
 
CSR - arguments for and against
CSR - arguments for and against   CSR - arguments for and against
CSR - arguments for and against
 
Ethics in Accounting
Ethics in AccountingEthics in Accounting
Ethics in Accounting
 
Ethos ppt.
Ethos ppt.Ethos ppt.
Ethos ppt.
 
Indian Ethos In Management
Indian Ethos In ManagementIndian Ethos In Management
Indian Ethos In Management
 
Tax practice and ethics
Tax practice and ethicsTax practice and ethics
Tax practice and ethics
 
INDIAN ETHOS 1
INDIAN ETHOS 1INDIAN ETHOS 1
INDIAN ETHOS 1
 
Bhagavad Gita and Management
Bhagavad Gita and ManagementBhagavad Gita and Management
Bhagavad Gita and Management
 
Importance of-business-ethics
Importance of-business-ethicsImportance of-business-ethics
Importance of-business-ethics
 
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in Technology
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in TechnologyLegal, Ethical and Social Issues in Technology
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues in Technology
 
Business ethics and Corporate Governance
Business ethics and Corporate GovernanceBusiness ethics and Corporate Governance
Business ethics and Corporate Governance
 
Slideshare ppt
Slideshare pptSlideshare ppt
Slideshare ppt
 

Similar to Swadharma and Paradharma

Stress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikarStress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikar
shriniwas kashalikar
 
Living with honour1
Living with honour1Living with honour1
Living with honour1
Hanzal
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
Shibumi2009
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
Shibumi2009
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
Shibumi2009
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
Shibumi2009
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
Shibumi2009
 
Everything I have learned about Personal Values
Everything I have learned about Personal ValuesEverything I have learned about Personal Values
Everything I have learned about Personal Values
Barrett Academy
 
Importance of Personal Values Webinar Slides
Importance of Personal Values Webinar SlidesImportance of Personal Values Webinar Slides
Importance of Personal Values Webinar Slides
ValuesCentre
 
Whispers of Solitude - Amit Ahlawat
Whispers of Solitude - Amit AhlawatWhispers of Solitude - Amit Ahlawat
Whispers of Solitude - Amit Ahlawat
Amit Ahlawat
 
Identity Formation
Identity FormationIdentity Formation
Identity Formation
Omkar Anwes
 
Creating Cultural Competency for Diversity and Inclusion
Creating Cultural Competency for Diversity and InclusionCreating Cultural Competency for Diversity and Inclusion
Creating Cultural Competency for Diversity and Inclusion
Aerial Ellis
 
Stress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikar
Stress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikarStress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikar
Stress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikar
shriniwas kashalikar
 
nabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptx
nabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptxnabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptx
nabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptx
JCKING4
 
Stress & disguis
Stress & disguisStress & disguis
Stress & disguis
shriniwas kashalikar
 
VALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptx
VALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptxVALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptx
VALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptx
AjayBasumatary
 
Social diversity
Social diversitySocial diversity
Social diversity
Aamna Haneef
 
Universal values
Universal valuesUniversal values
Universal values
chumce02
 
Stress equality and namasmaran dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress equality and namasmaran  dr shriniwas kashalikarStress equality and namasmaran  dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress equality and namasmaran dr shriniwas kashalikar
shriniwas kashalikar
 
Development of Personality
Development of PersonalityDevelopment of Personality
Development of Personality
Noshad Hussain
 

Similar to Swadharma and Paradharma (20)

Stress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikarStress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress and value crisis dr shriniwas kashalikar
 
Living with honour1
Living with honour1Living with honour1
Living with honour1
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
 
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.PointersIndia.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
India.Cross.Cultural.Pointers
 
Everything I have learned about Personal Values
Everything I have learned about Personal ValuesEverything I have learned about Personal Values
Everything I have learned about Personal Values
 
Importance of Personal Values Webinar Slides
Importance of Personal Values Webinar SlidesImportance of Personal Values Webinar Slides
Importance of Personal Values Webinar Slides
 
Whispers of Solitude - Amit Ahlawat
Whispers of Solitude - Amit AhlawatWhispers of Solitude - Amit Ahlawat
Whispers of Solitude - Amit Ahlawat
 
Identity Formation
Identity FormationIdentity Formation
Identity Formation
 
Creating Cultural Competency for Diversity and Inclusion
Creating Cultural Competency for Diversity and InclusionCreating Cultural Competency for Diversity and Inclusion
Creating Cultural Competency for Diversity and Inclusion
 
Stress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikar
Stress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikarStress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikar
Stress in disguise dr. shriniwas kashalikar
 
nabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptx
nabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptxnabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptx
nabilarko-ani-bushit-mndiayko.pptx
 
Stress & disguis
Stress & disguisStress & disguis
Stress & disguis
 
VALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptx
VALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptxVALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptx
VALUES LIFE SKILLS.pptx
 
Social diversity
Social diversitySocial diversity
Social diversity
 
Universal values
Universal valuesUniversal values
Universal values
 
Stress equality and namasmaran dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress equality and namasmaran  dr shriniwas kashalikarStress equality and namasmaran  dr shriniwas kashalikar
Stress equality and namasmaran dr shriniwas kashalikar
 
Development of Personality
Development of PersonalityDevelopment of Personality
Development of Personality
 

More from Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah

Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Our twin worldly challenges and the role of technology
Our twin worldly challenges and the role of technologyOur twin worldly challenges and the role of technology
Our twin worldly challenges and the role of technology
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Money
MoneyMoney
Communications: 'Language' matters
Communications: 'Language' mattersCommunications: 'Language' matters
Communications: 'Language' matters
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foods
Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foodsVegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foods
Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foods
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Inter-disciplinary partnerships
Inter-disciplinary partnershipsInter-disciplinary partnerships
Inter-disciplinary partnerships
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Allopathy and Ayurveda
Allopathy and AyurvedaAllopathy and Ayurveda
Allopathy and Ayurveda
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Organizational velocity
Organizational velocityOrganizational velocity
Organizational velocity
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Gender roles
Gender rolesGender roles
'I am responsible'
'I am responsible''I am responsible'
'I am responsible'
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Organizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and Fulfilled
Organizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and FulfilledOrganizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and Fulfilled
Organizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and Fulfilled
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Conflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics
Conflict or Confluence of Interests and EthicsConflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics
Conflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Wisdom and information
Wisdom and informationWisdom and information
Wisdom and information
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Life, Death, and Euthanasia
Life, Death, and EuthanasiaLife, Death, and Euthanasia
Life, Death, and Euthanasia
Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah
 
Nation
NationNation
Religion
ReligionReligion

More from Ethendranath (Ethen) Bommaiah (17)

Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 2 of 2
 
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2
Need for Ethical Technologists Part 1 of 2
 
Our twin worldly challenges and the role of technology
Our twin worldly challenges and the role of technologyOur twin worldly challenges and the role of technology
Our twin worldly challenges and the role of technology
 
Money
MoneyMoney
Money
 
Communications: 'Language' matters
Communications: 'Language' mattersCommunications: 'Language' matters
Communications: 'Language' matters
 
Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foods
Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foodsVegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foods
Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian foods
 
Inter-disciplinary partnerships
Inter-disciplinary partnershipsInter-disciplinary partnerships
Inter-disciplinary partnerships
 
Allopathy and Ayurveda
Allopathy and AyurvedaAllopathy and Ayurveda
Allopathy and Ayurveda
 
Organizational velocity
Organizational velocityOrganizational velocity
Organizational velocity
 
Gender roles
Gender rolesGender roles
Gender roles
 
'I am responsible'
'I am responsible''I am responsible'
'I am responsible'
 
Organizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and Fulfilled
Organizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and FulfilledOrganizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and Fulfilled
Organizational Responsibilities: Entrusted, Taken, and Fulfilled
 
Conflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics
Conflict or Confluence of Interests and EthicsConflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics
Conflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics
 
Wisdom and information
Wisdom and informationWisdom and information
Wisdom and information
 
Life, Death, and Euthanasia
Life, Death, and EuthanasiaLife, Death, and Euthanasia
Life, Death, and Euthanasia
 
Nation
NationNation
Nation
 
Religion
ReligionReligion
Religion
 

Recently uploaded

aula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdf
aula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdfaula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdf
aula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdf
PauloVictor90882
 
Understanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotes
Understanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotesUnderstanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotes
Understanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotes
PsychoTech Services
 
Best Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdf
Best Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdfBest Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdf
Best Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdf
Million-$-Knowledge {Million Dollar Knowledge}
 
Inspire: Igniting the Spark of Human Potential
Inspire: Igniting the Spark of Human PotentialInspire: Igniting the Spark of Human Potential
Inspire: Igniting the Spark of Human Potential
gauravingole9
 
Strategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdf
Strategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdfStrategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdf
Strategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdf
Million-$-Knowledge {Million Dollar Knowledge}
 
The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...
The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...
The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...
CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa
 

Recently uploaded (6)

aula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdf
aula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdfaula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdf
aula open english sobre Classic-motorcycles-2_1.pdf
 
Understanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotes
Understanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotesUnderstanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotes
Understanding of Self - Applied Social Psychology - Psychology SuperNotes
 
Best Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdf
Best Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdfBest Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdf
Best Way to Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity.pdf
 
Inspire: Igniting the Spark of Human Potential
Inspire: Igniting the Spark of Human PotentialInspire: Igniting the Spark of Human Potential
Inspire: Igniting the Spark of Human Potential
 
Strategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdf
Strategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdfStrategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdf
Strategies to rekindle the fire inside you and stay motivated.pdf
 
The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...
The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...
The Secret Warrior - Help Share a Parent or Loved Ones’ Cancer Diagnosis with...
 

Swadharma and Paradharma

  • 1. Swadharma and Paradharma All authentic responses to the question, "Who am I?", can be seen as one's worldly identities. Swadharma refers to one’s ‘life supportive’ responsibilities by virtue of one’s scenario specific role or identity; Paradharma refers to assumed responsibilities (and/or decision making abilities and rights) of the ‘other’ or, toe stepping in short, and driven mostly by ambition, greed, etc. Conflict and Confluence of Interests[1] can be ethical or unethical depending on whether motives and actions are based on Swadharma or Paradharma respectively. All of us are players in the field of
  • 2. worldly identities. We are constantly engaged in doing justice to our identities, reaching out to peer identities, and stepping up to a higher identity with higher identity responsibilities depending on lower identity responsibilities in a hierarchy; all this can be seen as falling within the ambit of Swadharma as long as the overlap of responsibilities is seen as acceptable. However, if one assumes the role of one’s peer or higher or lower identity and is seen as unacceptable by the 'other', that could be construed as Paradharma and is to be avoided. A skillful teacher comes from a higher identity relative to the student's identity of a seeker, but pretends to be only slightly more knowledgeable than the student, in keeping with one's Swadharma to make the learning process a game. Parent(s) feeding the baby until the baby can feed oneself can be seen as Swadharma. Let’s take the example of teams A and B; in the name of reaching out to team B, if team A member dresses up in the uniform of team B, it can be seen as Paradharma and is not only self-defeating, but also appreciated by none; best is for both teams A and B to step up to a shared higher identity and reach out to each other or, rely on a trusted intermediary functioning at a common and a higher identity. Celebrating 'Unity in Diversity' suggests that we retain our diverse uniforms, our unique identities, while we relate to each other. Migration between regions (cities, states, and nations), cultures, languages, religions, corporations, professions, etc. presents many challenges in the realm of Swadharma.
  • 3. In these situations, one’s commitment to one’s Swadharma can be severely challenged; it is important to note that skillful commitment to Swadharma alone can fetch long term harmony and happiness. In the context of migration, one needs to be aware of the various identities and accepted practices at play and is required to be extremely skillful in ensuring that the friction is minimal and the collective satisfaction is maximal. Paradharma tempts one with short term worldly glory at the expense of hampered self-development and eroded inner wealth in the longer term. That said, the best manifestation of migration oriented Swadharma is an inner phenomenon, to 'migrate' from a grosser and lower identity mindset to a subtler and higher identity mindset:  from 'my religion first' to 'my nation first' mindset  from 'my nation first' to 'my gender first' mindset  from 'my gender first' to 'human first' mindset which needs well guided and intense self-effort and integration of wisdom to one's life; we are most certainly beyond all our limiting worldly identifications. Reference(s) 1. Conflict or Confluence of Interests and Ethics