What Makes You Dharmic (established or firm)?

Anything that helps human being to reach god or almighty is dharma and anything that hinders human being from reaching god is Adharma. 

According to the Bhagavat Purana, a religious book of Hindus, righteous living or life on a dharmic path has four aspects: austerity (tap), purity (shauch), compassion (daya) and truthfulness (satya). 

And adharmic or unrighteous life has three vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sangh), and intoxication (madya). 

The essence of dharma lies in possessing a certain ability, power and spiritual strength. 

The strength of being dharmic also lies in the unique combination of spiritual brilliance and physical prowess.

The 10 Rules of Dharma

Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu prescribes 10 essential rules for the observance of dharma:

Patience (dhriti), 

Forgiveness (kshama),

Piety or self control (dama),

Honesty (asteya),

Sanctity (shauch), 

Control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), 

Reason (dhi),

Knowledge or learning (vidya),

Truthfulness (satya) 

And 

Absence of anger (krodha)

Manu further writes, "Non-violence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of dharma". 

Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but the whole society, Nation or World.

The Purpose of Dharma

The purpose of dharma is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality. 

It also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. 

Rishi (Sage) Kanda has defined dharma in Vaisesika as "that confers worldly joys and leads to supreme happiness".

 Hinduism is the religion that suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and eternal bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven.

 For example, it endorses the idea that it is one's dharma to marry, raise a family and provide for that family in whatever way is necessary. 

The practice of dharma gives an experience of peace, joy, strength and tranquility within one's self and makes life disciplined.

Every living or non living thing has its own dharma. The dharma of Fire is to burn, give warmth. So we can say meaning of dharma is very wide; it is not religion.