Rin (Debts) in Dharma

Do you know you were born with 5 loans/debts that are due in this life & if you do not repay them, it may affect your spiritual growth?

Here’s the tea.

The main ones are:

1) DEVA RIN i.e. debt to the deities & Gods who keep our natural way of life in order through elements like air, fire, water, earth, etc. & natural resources.

While yagnas and rituals were traditionally performed to honor them, today, the simplest way is to practice gratitude and acknowledge their gifts.

2) RISHI/GURU RIN i.e. debts to the teachers & sages who preserve & spread the knowledge of our Dharma. They give us direction & guidance, helping us get closer to peace & live a more dharmic life.

You can donate to local ashrams, sponsor meals, and just be kinder to the folks who teach or mentor you.

3) PITRI RIN i.e. debts to our ancestors who gave you this life - traditionally, continuing one’s lineage i.e. having kids & inculcating dharmic values in them has been the way to repay this.

But in the modern sense, you can also just adopt kids, practice remembering your ancestors, feeding the poor in their memory, keep your family’s name high by doing good work & deeds, and pass on their good values + teachings.

4) BHUTA RIN i.e. debts to animals, living beings & natural resources - which you pay by feeding animals & protecting them.

5) MANUSHYA RIN i.e. your debt to humanity or society. These are debts to your fellow humans by serving the needy & helping others.

In this regard, it is advised to be kind to fellow humans and show compassion to animals - avoid harming them.

The practical reason for having these “rinas” is to inculcate the value of gratitude in us so that we stay humble & live a kinder life, avoiding greedy actions & not taking without being thankful.