Dharma and adharma

What is dharma and what is adharma? This is the central question concerning acting in the world. That which contributes to sAdhanA and svadharma is obviously the highest dharma. The next is that which is in accord with the Vedic dharma, although this too being fraught with ignorance (avidyayA mRtyum tIrtvA) is productive of pain eventually on account of guNa vRtti virodhAcca. LaukIka dharma that is not in accord with either of these is productive of greater pain but it is not seen as such immediately, and even when glimpsed it is hard to practice continuously on account of the strength of mental fluctuations and the power of the senses that run towards the sense objects. Knowing what is shreyas and what is preyas is very hard, especially when this discrimination is so contrary to worldly wisdom (which is unfortunately not wisdom at all). When will this become firm-rooted in your thinking O mind? Alas, I have allowed you to grow very strong by feeding the senses for so long that I despair of ever controlling you successfully. The only recourse is prayer and devotion to the Lord and to resort to the yoga of eka tattva abhyAsah. Only that will rid the mind of despair and strengthen it to overcome the senses and uproot the vAsanAs.