Dharma

tasmāt tvam uddhavotsṛjya codanāṁ praticodanām

tasmāt tvam uddhavotsṛjya codanāṁ praticodanām |
pravṛttiñ ca nivṛttiñ ca śrotavyaṁ śrutam eva ca ||
mām ekam eva śaraṇam ātmānaṁ sarva-dehinām |
yāhi sarvātma-bhāvena mayā syā hy akuto-bhayaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.12.14–5)

“Therefore, O Uddhava, abandoning injunctions and prohibitions [i.e., the injunctions and prohibitions given in the Śruti and the Smṛti], engagement and resignation [i.e., the dharmas of a gṛhastha and of a sannyāsī], and that which is to be heard and that which has been heard [i.e., all that pertains to such dharmas and the injunctions and prohibitions related to them in śāstra; alt., all else that is to be heard from śāstra, that is, all that is said in śāstra related to the jñāna-mārga], you should take shelter exclusively in me alone, the Ātmā of all embodied beings, with the full existence of your self. With me [i.e., thus becoming situated in my shelter], be completely fearless.”

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ājñāyaivaṁ guṇān doṣān mayādiṣṭān api svakān

ājñāyaivaṁ guṇān doṣān mayādiṣṭān api svakān |
dharmān santyajya yaḥ sarvān māṁ bhajet sa ca sattamaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.11.32)

“[Kṛṣṇa to Uddhava:] One who fully understands the merits [of following] and transgressions [caused by neglect] related to one’s own [varṇa and āśrama] dharmas and, although they are instituted by me, completely gives up all of them and serves me is also the best of sādhus.”

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jānāmi dharmaṁ na ca me pravṛttir

jānāmi dharmaṁ na ca me pravṛttir
jānāmy adharmaṁ na ca me nivṛttiḥ |
tvayā hṛṣīkeśa hṛdi sthitena 
yathā niyukto’smi tathā karomi ||
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 3.94)

“I understand dharma, but I do not have the propensity [to follow it]. I understand adharma, but I do not have the restraint [to abstain from it]. O Hṛṣīkeśa [i.e., O Master of the senses], as I am engaged by you, who are situated in my heart, so I act.”

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vṛttaṁ yatnena saṁrakṣed vittam eti ca yāti ca

vṛttaṁ yatnena saṁrakṣed vittam eti ca yāti ca |
akṣīṇo vittataḥ kṣīṇo vṛttatas tu hato hataḥ ||
(Mahābhārata: 5.36.30)

“Carefully safeguard your conduct (vṛtta). Wealth (vitta) comes and goes. A loss of wealth is no loss, but ruination of [one’s] conduct is [utter] ruination.”

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ācāra eva dharmasya mūlaṁ rājan kulasya ca

ācāra eva dharmasya mūlaṁ rājan kulasya ca |
ācārād vicyuto jantur na kulīno na dhārmikaḥ ||
(Bhaviṣyottara Purāṇa; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 3.17)

“O King, ācāra (conduct) is the source of dharma and of nobility. A person devoid of ācāra is neither noble nor dharmic.”

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ācāra-prabhavo dharmaḥ santaś cācāra-lakṣaṇāḥ

ācāra-prabhavo dharmaḥ santaś cācāra-lakṣaṇāḥ |
sādhūnāṁ ca yathā vṛttaṁ sa sad-ācāra iṣyate ||
tasmāt kuryāt sad-ācāraṁ ya icched gatim ātmanaḥ |
sarva-lakṣaṇa-hīno’pi samudācāravān nṛpa |
śraddadhāno’nasūyaś ca sarvān kāmān avāpnuyāt ||
(Bhaviṣyottara Purāṇa; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 3.15–16)

“The source of dharma is ācāra (conduct), and sādhus are characterized by ācāra. The behavior of sādhus is called sadācāra. Therefore, one who desires one’s own good fortune should engage in sadācāra. O King, even if devoid of all [other] characteristics, one who has excellent ācāra (sadācāra), is endowed with śraddhā, and is free from envy can fulfill all one’s desires.”

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na dharmaṁ kāmam arthaṁ vā mokṣaṁ vā varadeśvara

na dharmaṁ kāmam arthaṁ vā mokṣaṁ vā varadeśvara |
prārthaye tava pādābje dāsyam evābhikāmaye ||
(Hayaśīrṣa Pañcarātra; cited in Rādhā Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Gosvāmī’s Daśa-śloki-bhāṣya)

“I do not pray for dharma, kāma, artha, or mokṣa, O Varadeśvara [i.e., O Lord, granter of boons]. I desire only servitude to your lotus feet.”

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śreyāṁsi bahu-vighnāni bhavanti mahatām api

śreyāṁsi bahu-vighnāni bhavanti mahatām api |
aśreyasi pravṛttānāṁ dūraṁ yānti vināyakāḥ ||
(Unknown source)

“There are many obstacles to good works, even for the great. Impediments go away, however, from those engaged in harmful work.”

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