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Dharma (Samskrit : धर्मः) served as the foundational principle for people of all traditions that arose on Bharatavarsha. Every person leads a life irrespective of the civilization he belongs to. But every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली), which, as per that civilization’s convictions, is superior to the way other civilizations live. And on the basis of this characteristic way of living is formed the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon. And underlying the way of living and the perspectives of life are the perspectives about the world ie. vishva drshti (विश्वदृष्टिः । worldview) and tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञानम् - foundational philosophy) that the civilization is founded upon. The world view and perspectives toward life held by the civilization tend to influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities.

Dharma (Samskrit : धर्मः) is that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintains the social order and secures the general well-being and progress of man-kind. It is considered the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]].<ref name=":3">Justice M.Rama Jois, [https://www.vhp-america.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DHARMA_Ram_Jois.pdf Dharma The Global Ethic].</ref>  

 

Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable contribution to humanity by [[Bharatavarsha (भरतवर्षम्)|Bharatavarsha]].“Dharma” is that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintains the social order and secures the general well-being and progress of man-kind” says the Supreme Court of India. With its rich connotations, Dharma is not translatable to any other language.<ref name=":3">Justice M.Rama Jois, [https://www.vhp-america.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DHARMA_Ram_Jois.pdf Dharma The Global Ethic].</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

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 –

Every civilization has a characteristic way of living (जीवनशैली) on the basis of which the perspectives of life that the civilization is founded upon are formed. Underlying this way of living and the perspectives of life lie the perspectives about the world ie. vishva drshti (विश्वदृष्टिः । worldview) and tattvajnana (तत्त्वज्ञानम् - foundational philosophy) of the civilization that influence an individual’s relationships with other entities, which include all movable and immovable (चराचर) entities. Dharma served as that foundational principle for people of all traditions that arose on Bharatavarsha.

 

 

2. Vishesha Dharma - is special duties of husband, wife, child, student, teacher, farmer, business person, king, soldier, etc.<ref>Arun J. Mehta (2011), [http://lakshminarayanlenasia.com/articles/VedicDharmaII2011.pdf Vedic Dharma], Edited by B.V.K.Sastry.</ref>

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

Apte Sanskrit dictionary exapliains the word dharma as  

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> 

 

ध्रियति लोकान् अनेन, धरति लोकं वा ।  

 

Dharma is so called, because it holds; Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the root Dhr—to hold—and its etymological meaning 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 God. 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>

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>

==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'.

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.

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 ==

There is no corresponding word in any other language. It would also be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained.<ref name=":3" />

There is no corresponding word in any other language. It would also be futile to attempt to give any definition of the word. It can only be explained.<ref name=":3" />