Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/48

 turn, determined by the human qualities. All the rules of morality which every man is expected to follow are called dharma for man (Mānava-dharma).

But that dharma for man is only a small part of dharma which a particular individual has to follow. Dharma for an individual is dependent on his civil condition and position in life. The dharma for a king is different from the dharma for a subject. Dharma for a householder is different from the dharma for a single man, and so forth.

Man is again a member of a family, of a tribe, of a caste, and of a corporation (Gana). He has then to follow the dharma peculiar to that family, caste, or corporation.

Dharma for a man is different from the dharma for a woman. Dharma for a woman also differs according to her status, like maidenhood, wifehood or widowhood.

Thus a particular individual is bound by his duties or dharmas of various kinds. He has to follow first of all Mānava-dharma, that is, his duties as a man or as a member of humanity. On this subject the precept of Manu is this. Abstention from injuring creatures, veracity, abstention from unlawfully appropriating the goods of others, purity and control of organs, Manu has declared to be the summary of dharma for the four (all) classes. In addition to man's duties as a man, he has to follow also the dharma of his class (Varna). Moreover, he has to attend to his obligations as a householder, as a husband, as a father of a family, as a son, and so forth. He should also pay attention to the dharma particular to his family, and to his jāti or caste.

The nature of different dharmas can be easily understood. What a man should do in order to fulfil his obliga-