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The word Dharma is derived from the root ’धृ’ which means to hold.<ref name=":4" /> Apte Sanskrit dictionary explains the word dharma as  <blockquote>ध्रियति लोकान् अनेन, धरति लोकं वा । ''dhriyati lokān anena, dharati lokaṁ vā ।''<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1985), [https://archive.org/details/practicalsanskri00apteuoft/page/522 The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.</ref></blockquote>Meaning: That which supports or holds together everyone and everything.<ref name=":1">Arun J. Mehta (2011), [http://lakshminarayanlenasia.com/articles/VedicDharmaII2011.pdf Vedic Dharma], Edited by B.V.K.Sastry.</ref>   

The word Dharma is derived from the root ’धृ’ which means to hold.<ref name=":4" /> Apte Sanskrit dictionary explains the word dharma as  <blockquote>ध्रियति लोकान् अनेन, धरति लोकं वा । ''dhriyati lokān anena, dharati lokaṁ vā ।''<ref>Vaman Shivram Apte (1985), [https://archive.org/details/practicalsanskri00apteuoft/page/522 The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.</ref></blockquote>Meaning: That which supports or holds together everyone and everything.<ref name=":1">Arun J. Mehta (2011), [http://lakshminarayanlenasia.com/articles/VedicDharmaII2011.pdf Vedic Dharma], Edited by B.V.K.Sastry.</ref>   

Dharma is ‘that which holds’ this world, or the people of the world, or the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the eternal divine law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the all-powerful law of the divine. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition of this law and abidance by it. That which brings well-being to man is Dharma. Dharma supports this world. The people are upheld by Dharma. That which secures preservation of beings is Dharma. Dharma leads to eternal happiness and immortality. Dharma includes all external deeds, as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of man.<ref name=":4">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

In short, Dharma is ‘that which holds’ this world, or the people of the world, or the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the eternal divine law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the all-powerful law of the divine. Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition of this law and abidance by it. And it is this law that brings well-being to man. It includes all external deeds, as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of man thereby securing preservation of beings. Therefore, it is said that people are upheld by Dharma. And that Dharma leads one to eternal happiness and immortality.<ref name=":4">Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

==Dharma is not Religion==

==Dharma is not Religion==

It is paradoxical that the word "DHARMA" is being translated as religion and vice-versa. In fact in the Hindi version of the Constitution of India, the word religion is translated into 'Dharma' .It is totally wrong. The word religion should have been translated as 'Mata' or 'Sampradaya' or 'Pantha'. In view of the translation of the word religion as Dharma many translate the word Secularism as 'Pharma Nirapekshata'.

It is paradoxical that the word "DHARMA" is being translated as religion and vice-versa. In fact in the Hindi version of the Constitution of India, the word religion is translated into 'Dharma' .It is totally wrong. The word religion should have been translated as 'Mata' or 'Sampradaya' or 'Pantha'. In view of the translation of the word religion as Dharma many translate the word Secularism as 'Pharma Nirapekshata'.