The Nature of Adharma and the Deviation from Kṛṣṇa
The distinction between religion (dharma) and irreligion (adharma) is the foundation of a civilized human life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that adharma is not simply a lack of morality but a deviation from the eternal laws established by the Supreme Lord. Through his teachings, we understand that adharma is the root cause of suffering, social degradation, and the ultimate destruction of the material manifestation.
The Ontological Origin of Adharma
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes adharma as having a specific origin within the universal creation. He explains that it is the posterior aspect of God, born from Lord Brahmā, and is associated with falsity. According to him, just as there is a front side to the Lord representing religiosity, there must be a posterior aspect representing irreligion to maintain the absolute nature of the Supreme.
- Adharma, irreligiosity, is described as the back side of God, and religiosity is described as the front side of God. So there is no difference between front side and back side - absolute. God is absolute any way.
- Adharma, Irreligion, was also a son of Brahma, and he married his sister Mrsa. This is the beginning of sex life between brother and sister. This unnatural combination of sex life can be possible in human society only where there is Adharma, or Irreligion.
- In the beginning of creation Brahma created not only saintly sons like Sanaka, Sanatana and Narada but also demonic offspring like Nirrti, Adharma, Dambha and Falsity.
True Definition of Irreligion
To understand adharma, one must first understand dharma. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly defines dharma as the order of Kṛṣṇa or the injunctions of the Vedas. Consequently, he defines adharma as anything manufactured by the human mind or any activity that defies the Supreme Lord. He emphasizes that one cannot simply "stamp" oneself as religious; one must know the science of obedience to God.
- Dharma means the order of Krsna. That is dharma. Otherwise there is no dharma. All adharma.
- It is to be settled up that dharma means the injunction of the Supreme Narayana. And adharma means that you manufacture something out of your own fertile brain.
- Dharma means to become servant of Krsna, and adharma means to become servant of maya. This is the distinction between dharma and adharma, religious and irreligious.
The Cause of Material Devastation
Adharma is not without consequence. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that while the creation is maintained by goodness, it is destroyed by the prevalence of irreligion. He notes that the rise of adharma leads to the pollution of women and social structures, necessitating the descent of the Lord or the annihilation of the cosmic manifestation.
- The creation takes place on the basis of goodness, but devastation takes place because of irreligion. That is the way of material creation and devastation. Here it is stated that the cause of devastation is Adharma, or Irreligion.
- When these principles are sacrificed and there is awakening of adharma, irreligious principles, then the result will be, then the stricture will be withdrawn, and the family women, women, they'll be polluted.
- For the dissolution of the creation, He (Sankarsana) exhibits Himself as the Supersoul in Rudra, in Adharma (the personality of irreligion), in sarpa (snakes), in Antaka (Yamaraja, the lord of death) and in the demons.
Distinguishing Dharma from Adharma
A key aspect of Śrīla Prabhupāda's teaching is the subtle nature of distinguishing right from wrong. He uses the example of Arjuna to illustrate that an act like non-violence, if contrary to Kṛṣṇa's will, becomes adharma. Conversely, fighting under Kṛṣṇa's order is dharma. He stresses that without satisfying the Lord, even so-called good deeds are merely a struggle for existence.
- Arjuna, for example, thinking that violence was adharma, was declining to fight, but Krsna urged him to fight. Arjuna abided by the orders of Krsna, and therefore he is actually a dharmi because the order of Krsna is dharma.
- The real dharma is to surrender unto Krsna, but the rebellious living entity, instead of surrendering to Krsna, engages in adharma, in a struggle for existence to become like Krsna.
- Any so-called religious system that is not in the line of devotional service is called adharma-samsthapana.
Conclusion
The prevalence of adharma characterizes the material world, particularly in the Age of Kali. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda offers the solution: one must abandon all mental concoctions and surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By distinguishing between the real religious principles given by God and the manufactured adharma of modern civilization, one can rise above the cycle of devastation and attain the eternal platform of service.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Adharma. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.