REJECTION OF ARTHA AND KAMA IF AGAINST DHARMA

REJECTION OF ARTHA AND KAMA IF AGAINST DHARMA
“Reject wealth/money and desires which are contrary to Dharma. Reject also such rules of Dharma obedience to which lead to unhappiness of a few or which cause public resentment.” (MS 4.176).
It means that Dharma must control the desire (kama) as well as the means of acquisition of wealth and deriving pleasure (Artha). Dharma ,therefore, prescribes the rules of right conduct, observance of which was considered necessary for the welfare of the individual and society. Considering an integrated view of life, rules of right conduct covering almost every sphere of human activity such as religion, rules regulating personal conduct of an individual, as a student, as a teacher, as a house-holder, as a husband, as a wife, as a son, as a hermit, as an ascetic, including rules regulating taking of food and the like were prescribed in MS. Dharma, therefore , laid down a code of conduct covering every aspect of human behaviour, the observance of which was considered a must for the peace and happiness of individuals and society.’

The principles set out above are fundamental and have manifested themselves through various provisions meant to sustain the life of the individual and society. It is for this reason, all the works on Dharma declare with one voice that Dharma is that which sustains the world. Every act or conduct which was in disobedience to rules of Dharma was called Adharma and was declared to be injurious to society and the individual.
Observance of Dharma a Must for Peaceful Co-existence
The necessity of scrupulous practice of Dharma is forcefully expressed by Manu :
“Dharma protects those who protect it. Those who destroy Dharma get destroyed. Therefore, Dharma should not be destroyed so that we may not be destroyed as a consequence thereof.”
(MS:8-15)
According to Justice M Rama Jois, ‘the principle laid down in this saying is of the utmost importance and significance. In the above very short saying, the entire concept of Rule of Law is incorporated. The meaning it conveys is that an orderly society would be in existence if everyone acts according to Dharma and thereby protect Dharma, and such an orderly society which would be an incarnation of Dharma, in turn, protects the rights of individuals. Rules of Dharma were meant to regulate the individual conduct, in such a way as to restrict the rights, liberty, interest and desires of an individual as regards all matters to the extent necessary in the interest of other individuals, i.e., society and at the same time making it obligatory for society to safeguard and protect an individual in all respects through its social and political institutions. Briefly put, Dharma regulated the mutual obligations of the individual and society. Therefore, it was stressed that protection of Dharma was in the interest of both the individual and society. Manu Smriti warns; Do not destroy Dharma, so that you may not be destroyed. A 'State of Dharma' was required to be always maintained for peaceful co-existence, happiness and prosperity.’ It is needless to state that it is only when a substantial number of citizens of a nation are by and large of "Dharma / law abiding Nature" the Rule of law can be maintained. But, if the majority are not of a law abiding nature, the nation gets destroyed.’