The meaning of Dharma – as per Vivekaanda (and Yogananda) comes from the Sanskrit root word Dhru. This means to uphold
So what does Dharma uphold? It upholds all the properties of the universe. Thus the fact that the electron rotates around the nucleus , that is a property that does not get violated. What is the force that makes sure that these rules are not violated. Those laws are upheld – thus you could say all the physicists are studying dharma or religion.
However, as far as the soul is considered, which is what we traditionally call Dharma, what are the rules that are always upheld?
1. If you do not know your divine self, you will be born again
2. What you do, you will reap the fruits NO MATTER WHAT. This is the theory of Karma.
The third definition of Dharma – is given to the first person who dies when the new Yuga starts. He is given the role of upholding the law and is called Dharma Raja. He is also known as Yama Raja. Now Yama raja is drawn as a scary person. Why scary? The effects of your karma are always scary. Directly or indirectly, hurting anyone, forgetting our divine selfs, not trying to recollect our divine self, all bear terrible consequences.
If you look at him, he is quite scary. He rides a water buffalo. The same figure is described in Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese literature.
When do we meet him? At the time of our death. And he upholds the law!. Our fate is mete out based on our karma. No matter how wonderful a life you had, at the last few seconds and for hours to days later, you are given the results of your karma. It usually is terrible. That is the beginning of hell, and since all our actions are mixed, we find the results mixed
If only you had memory of your past birth, if only you had memory of what you experienced at the time of death, everyone would become cautious and careful of their actions. You will become respectful of those are beneath you, above you and around you and equal to you. You will learn and say, God, I don’t want the pleasures of the body. You would rather be hurt than hurt anyone. You don’t want to hate anyone. There is a detailed description of the pain of death in “Garuda Purana”.
In India there is a tradition, after a family dies, they recite either Garuda Purana or Bhagwad Gita. The reason is you want to remind those who are unfortunately left behind, that there is a painful after life
Why did I say, unfortunately left behind ? Well, it can be very fortunate also if
They have a healthy body
They have a lot of interest in discovering their higher self
They no longer want to fall prey to the faults of the body
Rest of the people are unfortunate, since they merely exist to commit more sin. Think of all the rioting. Unnnecessary killings. Stealing, Meanness. Anger. Frustration (frustration of not being happy with the few things we were given by God).
Mukta Shasta gives a detailed description of how and when.
Bhavin