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A word whose exact meaning cannot be given in English or any other language, Dharma appears to be used in Rigveda as an adjective or noun in the form of dharman (धर्मन्) in neuter gender.  

A word whose exact meaning cannot be given in English or any other language, Dharma appears to be used in Rigveda as an adjective or noun in the form of dharman (धर्मन्) in neuter gender.  

The word is clearly derived from dhatu धृञ् (in the meaning धारणे) meaning - "to uphold, to support, to nourish". Dharma is used in the sense of - 'upholder or supporter or sustainer' as in Rigveda (1.187.1 and 10.92.2 and 10.21.3)<ref name=":3">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. (Pages 1-7)</ref><blockquote>पितुं नु स्तोषं महो धर्माणं तविषीम् । यस्य त्रितो व्योजसा वृत्रं विपर्वमर्दयत् ॥१ (Rig. Veda. 1.187.1)</blockquote>It is used in sense of religious ordinances or rites (Rig Veda. 1.22.18, 5.26.6, 8.43.24 and 9.64.1).<blockquote>त्रीणि पदा वि चक्रमे विष्णुर्गोपा अदाभ्यः । अतो धर्मा॑णि धारयन् ॥१८॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.22.18)</blockquote>According to Shri. P. V. Kane, Dharma is also used as notation for fixed principles or rules of conduct than just "religious rites"  in mantras for example<blockquote>धर्मणा मित्रावरुणा विपश्चिता व्रता रक्षेथे असुरस्य मायया । (Rig. Veda. 5.63.7)</blockquote>Words such as prathama dharma (Rig. Veda. 3.17.1 and 10.56.3) and sanata dharmani (Rig. Veda. 3.3.1) have been associated with primeval and ancient ordinances respectively. The famous mantra explains Dharma as those primary set of activities involved in yajnas.<blockquote>यज्ञेन यज्ञमयजन्त देवास्तानि धर्माणि प्रथमान्यासन् । ते ह नाकं महिमान: सचन्त यत्र पूर्वे साध्याः सन्ति देवाः ॥५॥० (Rig. Veda. 1.164.50)</blockquote>Meaning: Through the (conduct) of yajnas, devatas worshipped the Yajnapurusha (sometimes referred to as Yajna or Vishnu), which are laid down as primary dharmas (in the sense that the primary dharmas are none other than the yajnas). Encouraged by the yajnas (and their merits) in the devaloka, the worldly beings began to perform them.

The word is clearly derived from dhatu धृञ् (in the meaning धारणे) meaning - "to uphold, to support, to nourish". Dharma is used in the sense of - 'upholder or supporter or sustainer' as in Rigveda (1.187.1 and 10.92.2 and 10.21.3)<ref name=":3">Kane, Pandurang Vaman. (1930) ''History of Dharmasastra (Ancient and Medieval Religious and Civil Law), Volume 1.'' Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. (Pages 1-7)</ref><blockquote>पितुं नु स्तोषं महो धर्माणं तविषीम् । यस्य त्रितो व्योजसा वृत्रं विपर्वमर्दयत् ॥१ (Rig. Veda. 1.187.1)</blockquote>It is used in sense of religious ordinances or rites (Rig Veda. 1.22.18, 5.26.6, 8.43.24 and 9.64.1).<blockquote>त्रीणि पदा वि चक्रमे विष्णुर्गोपा अदाभ्यः । अतो धर्मा॑णि धारयन् ॥१८॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.22.18)</blockquote>According to Shri. P. V. Kane, Dharma is also used as notation for fixed principles or rules of conduct than just "religious rites"  in mantras for example<blockquote>धर्मणा मित्रावरुणा विपश्चिता व्रता रक्षेथे असुरस्य मायया । (Rig. Veda. 5.63.7)</blockquote>Words such as prathama dharma (Rig. Veda. 3.17.1 and 10.56.3) and sanata dharmani (Rig. Veda. 3.3.1) have been associated with primeval and ancient ordinances respectively. The famous mantra explains Dharma as that primary set of activities involved in yajnas.<blockquote>यज्ञेन यज्ञमयजन्त देवास्तानि धर्माणि प्रथमान्यासन् । ते ह नाकं महिमान: सचन्त यत्र पूर्वे साध्याः सन्ति देवाः ॥५॥० (Rig. Veda. 1.164.50)</blockquote>Meaning: Through the (conduct) of yajnas, devatas worshipped the Yajnapurusha (sometimes referred to as Yajna or Vishnu), which are laid down as primary dharmas (in the sense that the primary dharmas are none other than the yajnas). Encouraged by the yajnas (and their merits) in the devaloka, the worldly beings began to perform them.

Aitareya Brahmana mentions a whole body of religious duties associated with Dharma (Aite. Brah. 7.17 and 8.13).

Aitareya Brahmana mentions a whole body of religious duties associated with Dharma (Aite. Brah. 7.17 and 8.13).

=== बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् ॥ Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ===

=== बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् ॥ Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ===

Brhdaranyaka Upanishad in the first adhyaya (fourth Brahmana) describes the origin of Purusha and from Him the Jagat, men of the four varnas and their requirements. In this context the Upanishad reflects on the origin of dharma from Brahman, as a varna duty particularly to Kshatriyas. <blockquote>तच्छ्रेयो रूपमत्यसृजत धर्मम् । तदेतत्क्षत्रस्य क्षत्रं यद्धर्मः । तस्माद्धर्मात्परं नास्ति । अथो अबलीयान् बलीयांसमाशंसते धर्मेण । यथा राज्ञैवम् । यो वै स धर्मः सत्यं वै तत् । तस्मात्सत्यं वदन्तमाहुर्धर्मं वदतीति । धर्मं वा वदन्तं सत्यं वदतीति । एतद्ध्येवैतदुभयं भवति ॥ बृह. १,४.१४ ॥ (Brhd. Upan. 1.4.14)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_1a Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>He (Brahman) created that excellent form, Dharma. This dharma is the controller of the kshatriya. Therefore, there is nothing higher than Dharma.  

Brhdaranyaka Upanishad in the first adhyaya (fourth Brahmana) describes the origin of Purusha and from Him the Jagat, men of the four varnas and their requirements. In this context the Upanishad reflects on the origin of dharma from Brahman, as a varna duty particularly referring to Kshatriyas. <blockquote>तच्छ्रेयो रूपमत्यसृजत धर्मम् । तदेतत्क्षत्रस्य क्षत्रं यद्धर्मः । तस्माद्धर्मात्परं नास्ति । अथो अबलीयान् बलीयांसमाशंसते धर्मेण । यथा राज्ञैवम् । यो वै स धर्मः सत्यं वै तत् । तस्मात्सत्यं वदन्तमाहुर्धर्मं वदतीति । धर्मं वा वदन्तं सत्यं वदतीति । एतद्ध्येवैतदुभयं भवति ॥ बृह. १,४.१४ ॥ (Brhd. Upan. 1.4.14)<ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_1a Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote>He (Brahman) created that excellent form, Dharma. This dharma is the controller of the kshatriya. Therefore, there is nothing higher than Dharma, just as a weak person hopes to defeat a strong person depending upon the strength and support of the Raja. That which is Dharma is verily Satya. Therefore, it is said - one who speaks dharma speaks the truth and viceversa.<ref name=":5">Dr. N. S. Ananta Rangacharya (2004) ''Prinicipal Upanishads, Volume 3, Brhdaranyakopanishat. Text, English Translation and Brief notes according to Sri Ranga Ramanujamuni.'' Bangalore: Sri Rama Printers (Pages 50-51)</ref>

=== छान्दोग्योपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad ===

=== छान्दोग्योपनिषद् ॥ Chandogya Upanishad ===

===न्याय-दर्शनम् ॥ Nyaya Darshana===

===न्याय-दर्शनम् ॥ Nyaya Darshana===

Gautama maharshi gave the Nyaya shastra to the world. It is also classified as one of the Upangas which, as part of the [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika vangmaya]], is important to understand Vedas.<blockquote>मन्त्रायुर्वेदप्रामाण्यवच्च तत्प्रामाण्यमाप्तप्रामाण्यात् || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheNyayaSutrasOfGotama/Vidyabhusana_Nyaya-Sutras_1913#page/n67/mode/2up/search/Book+II Nyaya Shastra of Goutama]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>mantrāyurvedaprāmāṇyavacca tatprāmāṇyamāptaprāmāṇyāt || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)</blockquote>Meaning: Just like the mantras (spells) counteract the poisons and Ayurveda (medical science) prescribes reliable remedies (for diseases and prevention of disease) with authority (as they are given by the maharshis and sages who are authoritative about the subjects), so also Vedas are standard (unequivocal guidelines), as the mantra drastas or rshis to whom they were revealed are the righteous sages.<ref name=":03" />

Gautama maharshi gave the Nyaya shastra to the world. It is also classified as one of the Upangas which, as part of the [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika vangmaya]], is important to understand Vedas.<blockquote>मन्त्रायुर्वेदप्रामाण्यवच्च तत्प्रामाण्यमाप्तप्रामाण्यात् || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheNyayaSutrasOfGotama/Vidyabhusana_Nyaya-Sutras_1913#page/n67/mode/2up/search/Book+II Nyaya Shastra of Goutama]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>mantrāyurvedaprāmāṇyavacca tatprāmāṇyamāptaprāmāṇyāt || (Nyay. Shas. 2.1.69)</blockquote>Meaning: Just like the mantras (spells) counteract the poisons and Ayurveda (medical science) prescribes reliable remedies (for diseases and prevention of disease) with authority (as they are given by the maharshis and sages who are authoritative about the subjects), so also Vedas are standard (unequivocal guidelines), as the mantra drastas or rshis to whom they were revealed are the righteous sages.<ref name=":03" />

====वैशेषिक-दर्शनम् ॥ Vaisheshika Darshana====

===वैशेषिक-दर्शनम् ॥ Vaisheshika Darshana===

Kanada maharshi who authored the Vaisheshika shastra also considers that the Vedas were revealed by Supreme Being.<blockquote>तद्वचनादाम्नायस्य प्रामाण्यम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.३ । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaisheshika Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tadvacanādāmnāyasya prāmāṇyam । vaiśeṣika-1,1.3 । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)</blockquote>In expounding padārthānāṃ dharmaḥ (पदार्थानां धर्म । nature of matter), Kanada took for pramana (source of valid knowledge), the Vedas (आम्नायः ॥ Amnaya)

Kanada maharshi who authored the Vaisheshika shastra also considers that the Vedas were revealed by Supreme Being.<blockquote>तद्वचनादाम्नायस्य प्रामाण्यम् । वैशेषिक-१,१.३ । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Vaisheshika Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tadvacanādāmnāyasya prāmāṇyam । vaiśeṣika-1,1.3 । (Vais. Shas. 1.1.3)</blockquote>In expounding padārthānāṃ dharmaḥ (पदार्थानां धर्म । nature of matter), Kanada took for pramana (source of valid knowledge), the Vedas (आम्नायः ॥ Amnaya)

====मीमांसा ॥ Mimamsa====

===मीमांसा ॥ Mimamsa===

Purva mimamsa (पूर्वमीमांसा) deals extensively with Karmakanda  (कर्मकाण्डः) while उत्तरमीमांसा ॥ Uttara mimamsa (वेदान्तः ॥ [[Vedanta]]) deals with मोक्षकाण्डः ॥ Mokshakanda of vedas. Mimamsa attained significance as many vedic interpretations are based and debated on the basis of the logic and rules set forth by this shastra.<blockquote>नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote><blockquote>nityastu syād darśanasya parārthatvāt || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote>

Purva mimamsa (पूर्वमीमांसा) deals with Karmakanda  (कर्मकाण्डः) while Uttara mimamsa (उत्तरमीमांसा  or वेदान्तः ॥ [[Vedanta (वेदान्तः)|Vedanta]]) deals with Jnana and Mokshakanda of vedas. Mimamsa attained significance as many vedic interpretations are based and debated on the basis of the logic and rules set forth by this shastra.  

 

 

Simply put, Dharma has been discussed by Jaimini in his Mimamsa sutras as 'a desirable goal or result that is indicated by injunctive (vedic) passages'.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>नित्यस्तु स्याद् दर्शनस्य परार्थत्वात् || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote><blockquote>nityastu syād darśanasya parārthatvāt || (Mima. Shas. 1.1.18)</blockquote>

==महाभारतम् ॥ Mahabharata==

==महाभारतम् ॥ Mahabharata==

Maharshi Vedavyasa in Mahabharata extols that Vedas are the path of life for all beings. Abundant instances about the Dharmas to be followed and the social and moral implications are emphasized in Mahabharata, many being an instruction to Yudhisthira by Bhishma and other Maharshis such as Vaisampayana, Suta.<blockquote>अनादिनिधनानित्या, वागुत्सृष्टा स्वयम्भुवा | आदौ वेदमयी दिव्या, यत: सर्वा: प्रवृत्तय: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)<ref>Shri Mahabharatam ([http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/cgi-bin/maha/out-parva.cgi Shanti Parva])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>anādinidhanānityā, vāgutsṛṣṭā svayambhuvā | ādau vedamayī divyā, yata: sarvā: pravṛttaya: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)</blockquote>Meaning : In the beginning of Srishti, the self existent Creator, revealed the Eternal and Divine Vedas, as they show the path for all activities of every being.<ref name=":03" />

Maharshi Vedavyasa in Mahabharata extols that Vedas are the path of life, more of a moral code, for all beings. Abundant instances about the Dharmas to be followed and the social and moral implications are emphasized in Mahabharata, many being an instruction to Yudhisthira by Bhishma and other Maharshis such as Vaisampayana, Suta. Dharmas both general (साधारणधर्मः) and (विशिष्टधर्मः) are extensively discussed in Mahabharata and Ramayana.<blockquote>अनादिनिधनानित्या, वागुत्सृष्टा स्वयम्भुवा | आदौ वेदमयी दिव्या, यत: सर्वा: प्रवृत्तय: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)<ref>Shri Mahabharatam ([http://www.rsvidyapeetha.ac.in/cgi-bin/maha/out-parva.cgi Shanti Parva])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>anādinidhanānityā, vāgutsṛṣṭā svayambhuvā | ādau vedamayī divyā, yata: sarvā: pravṛttaya: || (Maha. Shan. 232.24)</blockquote>Meaning : In the beginning of Srishti, the self existent Creator, revealed the Eternal and Divine Vedas, as they show the path for all activities of every being.<ref name=":03" />

Mahabharata which is acclaimed as the मानव-कर्तव्य-शास्त्रम् || Manava kartavya shastra, has a discussion on this topic in the form of conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma thus. (Pt. Ramnarayan's Mahabharata: Volume 4<ref>Shastri. Pt Ramnarayan. (1955). ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata04_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n5/mode/2up Mahabharata Vol.4].'' Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref>  and Vol 5 Shanti Parva Page 323)<ref>Shastri. Pt Ramnarayan. (1955). ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata05_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n321/mode/2up Mahabharata Vol.5].'' Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref><blockquote>तादृशोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यत्र धर्मः सुदुर्लभः । दुष्करः प्रतिसंख्यातुं तत्केनात्र व्यवस्यति  ॥(Maha. Shan. Parv. 109.9)</blockquote><blockquote>प्रभावार्थाय भूतानां धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम् । यः स्यात्प्रभवसंयुक्तः स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥  (Maha. Shan. Parv. 109.11)</blockquote><blockquote>tādṛśo'yamanupraśno yatra dharmaḥ sudurlabhaḥ | duṣkaraḥ pratisaṃkhyātuṃ tatkenātra vyavasyati || (Maha. Shanti. 109.9)</blockquote><blockquote>prabhāvārthāya bhūtānāṃ dharmapravacanaṃ kṛtam | yaḥ syātprabhavasaṃyuktaḥ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ || (Maha. Shanti. 109.11)</blockquote>Meaning : It is most difficult to define Dharma. Dharma has been explained to be that which helps the upliftment of living beings. Therefore, that which helps ensure the welfare of living beings is surely Dharma. The learned rishis have declared that which sustains is Dharma.<blockquote>धारणाद् धर्म इत्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः | यत् स्याद् धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः || (Maha. Karna. 69-58)</blockquote><blockquote>dhāraṇād dharma ityāhurdharmo dhārayate prajāḥ | yat syād dhāraṇasaṃyuktaṃ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ || (Maha. Karna. 69-58)</blockquote>Meaning : Dharma sustains the society, Dharma maintains the social order, Dharma ensures the well being and progress of humanity, Dharma is surely that which fulfills these objectives

Mahabharata which is acclaimed as the मानव-कर्तव्य-शास्त्रम् || Manava kartavya shastra, has a discussion on this topic in the form of conversation between Yudhishthira and Bhishma thus. (Pt. Ramnarayan's Mahabharata: Volume 4<ref>Shastri. Pt Ramnarayan. (1955). ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata04_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n5/mode/2up Mahabharata Vol.4].'' Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref>  and Vol 5 Shanti Parva Page 323)<ref>Shastri. Pt Ramnarayan. (1955). ''[https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata05_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n321/mode/2up Mahabharata Vol.5].'' Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref><blockquote>तादृशोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यत्र धर्मः सुदुर्लभः । दुष्करः प्रतिसंख्यातुं तत्केनात्र व्यवस्यति  ॥(Maha. Shan. Parv. 109.9)</blockquote><blockquote>प्रभावार्थाय भूतानां धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम् । यः स्यात्प्रभवसंयुक्तः स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥  (Maha. Shan. Parv. 109.11)</blockquote><blockquote>tādṛśo'yamanupraśno yatra dharmaḥ sudurlabhaḥ | duṣkaraḥ pratisaṃkhyātuṃ tatkenātra vyavasyati || (Maha. Shanti. 109.9)</blockquote><blockquote>prabhāvārthāya bhūtānāṃ dharmapravacanaṃ kṛtam | yaḥ syātprabhavasaṃyuktaḥ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ || (Maha. Shanti. 109.11)</blockquote>Meaning : It is most difficult to define Dharma. Dharma has been explained to be that which helps the upliftment of living beings. Therefore, that which helps ensure the welfare of living beings is surely Dharma. The learned rishis have declared that which sustains is Dharma.<blockquote>धारणाद् धर्म इत्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः | यत् स्याद् धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः || (Maha. Karna. 69-58)</blockquote><blockquote>dhāraṇād dharma ityāhurdharmo dhārayate prajāḥ | yat syād dhāraṇasaṃyuktaṃ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ || (Maha. Karna. 69-58)</blockquote>Meaning : Dharma sustains the society, Dharma maintains the social order, Dharma ensures the well being and progress of humanity, Dharma is surely that which fulfills these objectives