There is one simple explanation of why God always upholds dharma (the highest principle). His Creation is based/founded on dharma. Before I get into further details about God’s position vis-a-vis dharma, let us understand some basics about it. Dharma has been translated into English as religion. It is alright as long as we don’t confuse dharma to be some rituals. Human beings have free will. They have been allowed to connect with God in many ways. Unfortunately, when rituals are given primacy over the purpose, we get sidetracked.

Instead of all of us becoming devotees of God, we become parts of this religion or that religion. Dharma is philosophy, not rituals. But dharma and ‘kartavya’ (duty) are synonymous. We all are unique packages due to our varied past ‘karmas’ (deeds). Surely, our duties will also be unique according to time, place and circumstances. Lord Krishna has spoken about this in Bhagavad-Gita: “Work, according to one’s nature (duty), even though appearing inferior is far superior to duty, if other beautifully done.” (3.35). The idea is to do one’s duty always in order not to get a reaction.

Dharma and ‘maryada’ (social norms) are also synonymous. Social norms are mostly based on dharma only, or should be. For example, a marriage sanctifies a relationship between a man and a woman. Without that, it is considered improper. A good percentage of human beings obey dharma by remaining within the bounds of maryada (limits). And when we do that: “dharma rakshati rakshitah” (Dharma protects those who live by dharma). Even material nature is favourable to good people. Because they habitually obey its rules like proper eating, adequate sleeping, the right choice of occupation, doing the necessary exercises, applying one’s profession correctly and having healthy entertainment. There are many types of dharma. The first one has to be ‘Sanatan’ (eternal) dharma. This is towards our duties as a soul, which is to be a devotee of God forever. The next is ‘Varnashrama’ (based on different phases of life).

We are mostly supposed to learn in the first quarter of life. The next quarter is for family life. The third quarter is meant to gradually get detached from material activities. And the last is for remaining in the shelter of God. I have already written about ‘svadharma’. The last one is ‘aapad’ (during emergencies) dharma. For example, we are allowed to resort to violence to protect ourselves. Concluding, dharma is respect for life and nature. Now I come back to God’s role regarding dharma. As would have become clear, God must uphold dharma to keep the Creation going.

He does; Lord Krishna states: “I incarnate when there is a decline in dharma and ascendancy of immorality, for the welfare of good people, for the punishment of the wicked and for re-establishment of religious principles.” (4.7 & 8) The first reason is, as mentioned earlier: Creation is founded on dharma. Violating dharma is alien to God; He is dharma personified. The ‘karmaphala siddhanta’ (principle governing deeds) is based on dharma only, which is: “What you sow is what you reap.” Nothing else could have worked to keep the Creation going for millions of years. God is so partial to dharma that He is prepared to help all of us if we take His shelter, which is the perfect way to follow dharma in all respects. Lord Krishna has given detailed instructions in the Bhagavad-Gita in this regard. The Creation is perfectly made.

All the imperfections we see are due to not obeying dharma by a good percentage of the population. God is not responsible for this bad use of free will by them. As a punishment, bad people are forever relocated to various species. God just finds ways to keep the Creation going; He eliminates them as Lord Ramachandra did by killing Ravana. Yes, it is hard to imagine that there is such an entity that God is, but He exists. The proof of His existence is the continued existence of the Creation for not millions but billions of years.

Finally, I must alert the readers that God will never favour us by violating dharma. He will find ways to dissuade us if we have taken His shelter, as God does with me day in and day out. How does God favour me? He allows my bad or even good karmaphalas to manifest, and then, He finds ways to help me tackle them successfully, and that too in tolerable ways. Can you imagine a parent who is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient?

(The writer is a spiritual teacher. Views are personal)