Three āvaraṇas in the pursuit of Dharma
Avarana(आवरण) is a Sanskrit term that could be translated as 'covering' or 'obstruction'
If you audaciously attempt to unpack the Avarana(आवरण) that clouds our understanding of Dharma, it might perhaps be summed up with three words.
It’s only when we move away from the web of confusion cast together by these three words, there is a glimmer of hope to discover what dharma is.
Dharma is neither religious nor anti-religious.
Dharma is secular, but not secularism.
As I have explored in the anchor post of this newsletter, my working definition of Dharma is what I have understood from my Yoga mentor
Actions that either regenerate that which has fallen, reinstate that which is falling or replenish that which is standing is Dharmic action.
If you want to distil it into a core actionable principle that could be practised in daily living, it could be summed thus:
An action that simultaneously enlivens me, you and our context is Dharmic.
Of course, it is not easier as it seems.
In Mahabharata, at one point, Yudhishtra who is considered the embodiment of Dharma shares his agony in understanding Dharma
He shares thus:
“Whether we know or do not know dharma, whether it is knowable or not, dharma is finer than the finest edge of a sword and more substantial than a mountain. On first sight, it appears clear and solid like a town; on a close logical look, it vanishes from the view.” - Shanti parva. 260.12.3. (Translation by Chaturvedi Badrinath)
I have an entire lifetime left to pursue this study. We will see how deep the rabbit hole goes.