Kinds of Dharma
Dharma is of various categories according to the class, station in life, profession or
occupation of men. Yog Vijnanesvara refers in the Mitakshara to the six kinds of Dharmas.
They can be classified mainly into Sadharana Dharma Visesha Dharma. Visesha Dharma is
again sub-divided into Varna Dharma, Ashrama Dharma, Varnashrama Dharma, Guna Dharma and
Nimitta Dharma, which translated into modern terminology are the duties of one's class,
station in life, of one's particular profession or occupation and the expiation’s for
dereliction of duty. Manu refers in the 6th
chapter, sloka 92, to the ten Dharmas as "Dhashalakshanako dharmah". The Samanya
Dharmas are ahimsa, satya, asteya, saucha, indriya- nigraha, Truth, Non-violence,
Non-stealing, Purity of body, mind and speech, and Self-control. Indian thinker’s
aIso recognize an absolute ideal and a absolute ideal is relatively lower ideal of Dharma.
The known as "Mahavrata."
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