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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>

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. The word religion may at most be translated as 'Mata' or 'Sampradaya' or 'Pantha'. In view of the translation of the word religion as Dharma, many translate the word Secularism as 'Dharma Nirapekshata'. Dr. L.M. Singhvi says, <blockquote>''"We have been accustomed to use, though erroneously, the expression 'Dharma Nirapekshata', so far as the State and its institutions are concerned, as an equivalent of secularism in contemporary Bharata's constitutional vocabulary and political parlance. A more accurate equivalent Hindi translation of "secularism" would be "Sampradaya Nirapekshata" because "Dharma" in Bharata's tradition also stands for Law and Morality and no State can be devoid of Law and Morality."''</blockquote>This misinterpretation of Dharma as religion is the cause of it being seen a source of conflict and something injurious to the feeling of fraternity among the citizens. This is wholly erroneous. For, Dharma, as it will be seen further, indicates adherence to qualities of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfullness), Asteya (not acquiring illegitimate wealth), Shoucha (cleanliness of mind and body i.e., purity of thought, word and deed) and Indriyanigraha (control of senses). If secularism is translated as meaning 'Dharma Nirapekshata', it means a state where all the above rules of dharma have no place. Certainly our Constitution is not intended to establish a State of Adharma. Also, a literal translation of 'Dharma Nirapekshata' in English is 'bereft of dharma' or a lawless State i.e., State without Morals. Further, the famous saying "यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः । ''yato dharmastato jayaḥ।''" which means ’where there is dharma, there is victory”, would become "''yato religion tato jayaḥ''" which means 'victory is always to religion' and not to dharma. Such are the consequences of erroneous translation of dharma as religion.<ref name=":3" />

 

Dharma means Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfullness), Asteya (not acquiring illegitimate wealth), Shoucham (cleanliness of mind and body i.e., purity of thought, word and deed) and Indriyanigraha (control of senses). If secularism is translated as meaning 'Dharma Nirapekshata' , it means a state where all the above rules of dharma have no place. Certainly our Constitution is not intended to establish a State of Adharma, If 'Dharma Nirapekshata' is again translated into English it becomes 'bereft of Dharma' or a lawless State i.e., State without Morals. Further the famous saying "Yato Dharmastato Jayaha" which means where there is Dharma, there is victory, would become "Yato religion tatho jayaha" which means the victory is always to religion and not to Dharma. Such are the consequences of erroneous translation of Dharma as Religion. This aspect is pointed out by Dr. L.M. Singhvi in the following words. We have been accustomed to use, though erroneously, the expression "Dharma Nirapekshata ' , so far as the State and its institutions are concerned, as an equivalent of secularism in contemporary Bharat's constitutional vocabulary and political parlance. A more accurate equivalent Hindi translation of "secularism" would be "Sampradaya- Nirapekshata" because "Dharma" in Bharat's tradition also stands for Law and Morality and no State can be devoid of Law and Morality. By misinterpreting Dharma as religion it is being said that it is a source of conflict and injurious to feeling of fraternity among the citizens. This is wholly erroneous.

== धर्मपरिभाषा ॥ Definition of Dharma ==

== धर्मपरिभाषा ॥ Definition of Dharma ==

With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language.<ref name=":3" /> The word “Dharma” has no equivalent word in English. It takes many English words to describe the concept of Dharma. The Sanskrit word Dharma is derived from the root word “Dhri” which means to hold together or support. Dharma supports or holds together everyone and everything. Dharma is also described as "duty" - duty towards oneself, family, community, country, and the world at large. Hence, there are multiple facet of dharma. Knowledge of Dharma is the knowledge of what is right and wrong. It is to guide mankind through our lives. Dharma is the universal code of behavior towards all living creatures and nonliving things. Dharma sustains and supports life in general, and helps to hold the community together. Dharma has two parts –

With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language.<ref name=":3" /> The word “Dharma” has no equivalent word in English. It takes many English words to describe the concept of Dharma. The Sanskrit word Dharma is derived from the root word “Dhri” which means to hold together or support. Dharma supports or holds together everyone and everything. Dharma is also described as "duty" - duty towards oneself, family, community, country, and the world at large. Hence, there are multiple facet of dharma. Knowledge of Dharma is the knowledge of what is right and wrong. It is to guide mankind through our lives. Dharma is the universal code of behavior towards all living creatures and nonliving things. Dharma sustains and supports life in general, and helps to hold the community together. Dharma has two parts –