Dharm Sangrah
Authored by Dr. Ram Awtar Agrawal
Ram and Krishna, these two words are not just words but the soul of Bharat (India), Hinduism, and Sanatan culture. The Ramayana (Ramcharitmanas) of Shri Ram and the Gita (Shrimad Bhagavad Gita) of Shri Krishna are two great scriptures that impart teachings on ideal household conduct, ideal governance, ideal marital conduct, and ideal family life, along with devotion, knowledge, renunciation, and good conduct. These scriptures are equally useful for everyone, whether male or female, young or old, educated or uneducated, rich or poor. Every line of these scriptures is a self-evident mantra, whose recitation and adherence with devotion lead to supreme achievement and realization of God.
Today's younger generation, due to school and college studies, preparation for competitive exams, and then long job durations, cannot find the time to read and reflect on these scriptures. As a result, they remain unaware of this great culture. Due to education in English medium, they do not understand the Hindi commentary and form an impression that these scriptures are not for them. Keeping such youth, businessmen, corporate professionals, and bureaucrats in mind, selected verses, couplets, and quatrains from the Gita, Ramcharitmanas, and Manusmriti have been translated into simple Hindi and English in this book, so they can reach our minds and we can utilize them in our lives.
Indian culture is based on the principles of karma from past and present lives. Everywhere in the world, happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, life and death, wealth and poverty, sickness and health are clearly visible. All these are the results of the deeds from past and present lives.
In every person's life, there are moments when their intellect is pure and virtuous. The deeds performed in those moments are filled with good intentions and lead to the accumulation of merit.
If we devote some time from the 24 hours to worship God and perform good deeds for the welfare of others, the merit from those actions will surely benefit us and our descendants.
This book is an attempt to walk on the path shown by God and make our lives devotional to gain merit.
About Dr. Ram Awtar Agrawal
Dr. Ram Avatar Agrawal was born into a middle-class family in Jagner, Agra district. His father, Mr. Natthi Lal, was a man of principles, and his mother held strong religious beliefs. Both had a significant influence on Dr. Ram Avatar. He completed his early education in Jagner, followed by studies at the Government Inter College in Agra. After clearing the PMT exam on his first attempt, he pursued an MBBS and an MD in Respiratory Medicine from Rabindranath Tagore Medical College in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Dr. Agrawal served in various high-level positions in the Rajasthan Government's Medical Department for 30 years, earning numerous commendations from district collectors and the Rajasthan government.
From an early age, Dr. Ram Avatar was inclined towards spirituality and Indian culture. He has actively contributed to temple construction, Moksha Dham, and the Apna Ghar Bari initiative as part of his social responsibilities. He also pledged to provide lifelong free medical services to couples married at mass wedding ceremonies.
To ensure that the poor do not remain deprived of medical care, Dr. Agrawal offers his services at a minimal fee in his private hospital at the district headquarters in Dholpur, Rajasthan.
This book has been compiled with the intent of keeping the younger generation connected with the knowledge of ancient scriptures and Indian culture.
The guiding principle of his life is based on the verse from Raja Rantideva:
न त्वहम् कामये राज्यम् न स्वर्गम् न पुनर्भवम्।
कामये दु:खतप्तानम् प्राणिनामार्तिनाशनम्।।
"I desire neither kingdom, nor heaven, nor rebirth; all I wish for is the power to relieve the suffering of those burning in sorrow."