The Vedas give different rules of Dharma for people of different age-groups, different family traits and different periods of time. The ãshrama dharma gives the standards of living for different age groups of individuals. The varna dharma is one that is most misinterpreted and misused. If properly interpreted and understood, it is the most efficient sociological system of the nation. It is indeed a splendid theory with a flawless rule. But, the defect came from somewhere else. Various dharma sasthras, or smrithis, written by Rishis like Manu, Parasara, and Yaagñavalkya, have varied for different periods of time according to varying social and emotional surroundings of the Hindu society [Yuga-Dharma]. The Hindus often follow the teachings of various Dharma sasthras for the philosophical guidance for daily living.

Karma means not only just action or work but also the result of such action. Any deed or any thought that causes an effect is called karma. The law of karma is one of the fundamental doctrines of Hinduism and all eastern philosophy. One following the proper karma and one's dharma, according to Hindu teachings, attains moksha or liberation from the cycle of rebirth of soul and reaches the eternal soul of the divine. People following the Bhakthi pathway of Hindu concepts visualize this as reaching svarga or the heavenly abode of the celestial souls and the divine home of "Narayana". No one born in this world can escape and go without doing their karma and without the dharma according to their birth. However such action often becomes improper and leaves an effect on the soul. This is due to the Purusharthas of artha and kaama, affected by desires of pleasure, lust, greed and motives for profit. One should perform the karma according to the dharma of one's birth, education, personal ability, the need of the community and the proper dharma of the period of Yuga, without any greed or attachment to the fruits or results of such action. This is the proper Karma as in karma yoga and it helps one to attain liberation or moksha or svarga.