Page 39 - All India Magazine Aug-2025

ance. There must be an ethic or a science, a restraint as well as
a scope arising from the truth of the thing sought, a standard of
perfection, an order. Differing with the type of the man and the
type of the function these special dharmas would yet rise towards
the greater law and truth that contains and overtops the others
and is universally effective. This then was the Dharma, special for
the special person, stage of development, pursuit of life or indi-
vidual field of action, but universal too in the broad lines which all
ought to pursue.
CWSA 20: 163-64

Universal embracing dharma
The universal embracing dharma in the Indian idea is a law of
ideal perfection for the developing mind and soul of man; it com-
pels him to grow in the power and force of certain high or large
universal qualities which in their harmony build a highest type of
manhood. In Indian thought and life this was the ideal of the best,
the law of the good or noble man, the discipline laid down for the
self-perfecting individual, Drya, QreIFha, sajjana, sDdhu. This ideal
was not a purely moral or ethical conception, although that ele-
ment might predominate; it was also intellectual, religious, social,
aesthetic, the flowering of the whole ideal man, the perfection
of the total human nature. The most varied qualities met in the
Indian conception of the best, QreIFha, the good and noble man,
Drya. In the heart benevolence, beneficence, love, compassion, al-
truism, long-suffering, liberality, kindliness, patience; in the char-
acter courage, heroism, energy, loyalty, continence, truth, honour,
justice, faith, obedience and reverence where these were due, but
power too to govern and direct, a fine modesty and yet a strong
independence and noble pride; in the mind wisdom and intelli-
gence and love of learning, knowledge of all the best thought, an
openness to poetry, art and beauty, an educated capacity and skill
in works; in the inner being a strong religious sense, piety, love of

All India Magazine, August 2025 39