Types of dharma
Sanatana dharma
For Hindus, there is another key form of dharma. This is Sanatana dharma, which is the eternal dharma that governs all Hindus regardless of their status or The anglicised term for varna; originally a Hindu social order of higher and lower class. Also followed by some Sikhs.. It is sometimes referred to as the eternal duty towards God. Therefore, Hindus in their daily lives attempt to be aware of their actions and show virtues such as patience, kindness and loyalty. Many Hindus view Sanatana dharma as a code of conduct. It is focused on God and how the community of Hindus act and conduct themselves.
Sanatana dharma is different from personal dharma as it is a community-wide set of duties and virtues. It is important to note that many Hindus view Sanatana dharma and personal dharma as interchangeable. This is because by paying attention to their personal dharma, they will be living a virtuous life that demonstrates a positive code of conduct for other Hindus.
The The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered and important Hindu texts. The Gita tells the story of Krishna鈥檚 incarnation as a chariot driver to Prince Arjuna and forms part of the Mahabharata. outlines that Hindus are expected to perform their duties:
It is far better to discharge one鈥檚 prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another鈥檚 duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one鈥檚 own duty is better than engaging in another鈥檚 duties, for to follow another鈥檚 path is dangerous.
This essentially means that Hindus are duty bound to follow their own path. They place an emphasis on Sanatana dharma as this helps them to focus on their own spiritual journey and their own aims in life while also undertaking the duties towards God.
Varnashrama dharma
Varnashrama dharma is considered by many Hindus to be an outdated form of dharma as it focuses on social class (or caste) and it is not widely practised among Hindus today. However, for some Hindus it still has a place in their beliefs. It is focused on materialistic duties in life. The four main classes are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
This social class system appears in an ancient Hindu book of law called the Manusmriti. Some Hindus consider it to be important as it places an emphasis on a person鈥檚 position due to their actions in previous births. They believe that a person鈥檚 actions in their previous birth (combined karma from past life and their current life) results in the varna (social class) they will undertake when their Atman is reborn.
Ultimately, all Hindus aim to be Brahmans. However, in order to achieve this status, they have to move through the other three castes in their mortal lives (with each successive reincarnation).