Adharma is the
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
antonym of
dharma. It means "that which is not in accord with the dharma". Connotations include betrayal, discord, disharmony, unnaturalness,
wrongness,
evil
Evil, in a general sense, is defined as the opposite or absence of good. It can be an extremely broad concept, although in everyday usage it is often more narrowly used to talk about profound wickedness and against common good. It is general ...
,
immorality
Immorality is the violation of moral laws, norms or standards. It refers to an agent doing or thinking something they know or believe to be wrong. Immorality is normally applied to people or actions, or in a broader sense, it can be applied to ...
, unrighteousness, wickedness, and
vice..In Indian subcontinent, today the term more specifically applies to abhramic religions especially Islam.
Description
''Adharma'' (Sanskrit: ) is derived from combining "a" with ''"dharma"'', which literally implies "not-''dharma''". It means immoral, sinful, wrong, wicked, unjust, unbalanced, or unnatural.
According to
Bhagavata Purana's verse 6.1.40, the
Yamaduta
Yamadutas (Sanskrit: यमदूत; th, ยมทูต) are the messengers of death according to Hinduism, the agents of Yama, the god of the netherworld. They carry the departed souls of human beings who had not achieved moksha to Yamaloka, ...
replied: the religious principles prescribed in the Vedas constitute as Dharma, and those that are not constitute as Adharma.
Ariel Glucklich translates ''Adharma'' as chaos, disorder, non-harmonious and explains it as opposite of ''
Dharma''. Glucklich states that ''adharma'' isn't the binary opposite of ''Dharma'' or absolutely unethical in Indian philosophy. Rather it is a complex functional subjective term just like ''dharma'', with shades of meaning, that depends on circumstances, purpose and context.
Gene F. Collins Jr. defines Adharma as irreligiosity. Gene states that it is anything contrary to the laws of existence. According to him, they are those actions which are contrary to one's Dharma. Whatever facilitates spiritual growth is Dharma, and whatever impedes spiritual growth is Adharma. Following an Adharmic path means acting on three vices, which are, pride, contact, and intoxication. According to him, blind faith without regard for spiritual understanding is Adharma.
Following the path of Adharma can result in a bad future.
Lineage
The
Vishnu Purana recites a Hindu legend that includes ''Dharma'' and ''Adharma'' as mythical characters, and it is loaded with symbolism about virtues and vices, morality and ethics. The lineage is as follows,
[
]
See also
* Anrita
References
{{reflist
Sanskrit words and phrases
Hindu philosophical concepts
Words and phrases with no direct English translation