Truth vs. Dharma: Is telling a lie bad Karma?

Is telling the truth important always?  Is it alright to lie when it is convenient?  What is Dharma or the right answer here?

Contrary to what your instincts might tell you, the later is Dharma, often.  Of course, it depends on who is the beneficiary of the lie and if there is a victim.  There is a simple rule to figure out if telling a lie is Dharma (the right thing to do).  The three operative words here are "convenience", "beneficiary", and “victim”.  Beneficiary is the one who benefits from the "lie"; one who stands to gain material or intangible benefits; one who might be saved from misery or agony or danger from knowing or revealing the truth.  Victim is the sufferer due to the “lie”. Convenience is from the point of view of the "liar".

The rule is simple.  If the sole beneficiary is the liar or if the sole reason to tell a lie is convenience, then it is not Dharma.  In all other scenarios it is Dharma, if there are no victims.

So, go ahead and lie!  But do this simple test before doing so that you follow Dharma and do not accumulate Karma!!