Dharma is purely an understanding of the natural interaction and the natural law that governs the individual, society, the world and the cosmos. Dharma is knowing the potential that exists in each and every dimension of this creation, and not only is it cognition of that potential, it is also living according to the appropriate conditions. In one word, dharma is appropriateness.
It was on 23rd December 1923, that in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the area of Kumaon, which even today is considered to be one of the most beautiful places of India, Swami Satyananda was born to a family of landlords. When he was born, he was given the name Dharmendra which means Lord of Dharma. In India when names are given to children, it is according to the astrological chart, not as per the whim of the parents.
Parents may want to give a different name, yet the astrological charts which define the nature and the personality of the individual according to the lunar tradition indicate different letters by which a name can be given to the child. The letter indicated for Swami Satyananda came to the word Dharmendra, Lord of Dharma. What a beautiful name. It also paved the path for his development. It gave an indication of his aspirations in life and eventually that is what he became – the Lord of Dharma.
This is not something which has been recognized only in the higher realms, but also by sadhus and other sannyasins of India. I encountered a sannyasin during one of my trips to the Himalayas – a very old sannyasin. After I introduced myself to him saying that I am a disciple of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, and that he had passed away on 5th December 2009, this sannyasin closed his eyes, became silent, and after some time he said, ‘You know that Swami Satyananda has lived all the dharmas and all the karmas, which is unique, for nobody has ever done that.’
This was the statement of a sadhu who did not know Swami Satyananda, but could feel, realize, assess that this person had lived all the dharmas and all the karmas, something that very few people are able to achieve.