Svadharma
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Svadharma literally means ‘one’s own duty’.
This is a word that has been specially used in the Bhagavadgītā.[1][2][3][4] It is generally interpreted as sva-varṇa-āśrama-dharma. It means the duties that accrue to one as a result of his belonging to a particular varṇa[5] and āśrama[6]
Arjuna was kṣattriya and a gṛhastha or a householder. It was his svadharma or ordained duty to fight the evil forces and defend the good. It is noteworthy that svadharma should be on the righteous means of dharma, otherwise a thief may declare that stealing is his svadharma.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore