Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah
Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah (Sanskrit: धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः; IAST: dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ) is a popular Sanskrit phrase[1][2] mentioned in Mahabharata[3][4][5] and Manusmriti verse 8.15. It can be loosely translated as "The Dharma protects those who protect it."[6] The closest synonyms for Dharma in English are righteousness and ethics.[7]
The phrase is a part of a full Manusmriti verse that says:
dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ tasmād dharmo na hantavyo mā no dharmo hato'vadhīt
— Manusmriti 8.15
धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत्
Manusmriti first translated by Sir William Jones in 1776 for making legal provisions for Hindu in the British India including other Sanskrit religious books.[8]
It is the motto of the Research and Analysis Wing, the Supreme Court of India, and National Law School of India University.[4]
See also
- No justice, no peace, another slogan focused on the benefits of justice.
References
- Vidyāprakāśānandagirisvāmi. Gita Makaranda. India: Sri Suka Brahma Ashram, 1980.
- Tripathy, Dr Preeti (2010). Indian Religions: Tradition, History and Culture. Axis Publications. ISBN 978-93-80376-17-2.
- Shaji, U. S. (2008). Studies in Hindu Religion. Cyber Tech Publications. ISBN 978-81-7884-386-5. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- "Shloka Shock: A verse from religious text not always just religious". The Financial Express. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- Runzo, Joseph; Martin, Nancy M.; Sharma, Arvind (August 2003). Human Rights and Responsibilities in the World Religions. Oneworld Publications. ISBN 978-1-85168-309-3. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- "Manusmriti Verse 8.15". wisdomlib.org. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- Glener, Doug; Komaragiri, Sarat (12 November 2002). Wisdom's Blossoms: Tales of the Saints of India. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-0-8348-2938-1. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- "भारत में क्यों कहा जाता है, 'धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः'?". Nastik Bharat. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- Shetty, Jay (September 2020). think like a monk: train your mind for peace and purpose every day. Simon & Schuster. p. 99. ISBN 9780008355562.