Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् ।।
(मनुस्मृति ८.१५)

“अतिक्रमण (उल्लङ्घन) किया हुआ धर्म ही व्यक्तियोंको नष्ट कर देता है और धर्मपालनसे रक्षित धर्म ही व्यक्तियोंको सुरक्षित रखता है। अतः ‘नष्ट हुआ अर्थात् उपेक्षित और अधर्माचरणसे तिरस्कृत धर्म हमें नष्ट न करे’ ऐसा समझकर धर्मका हनन (त्याग) न करे।।”

Essence

The famous verse from the Manusmriti which is frequently presented and discussed says that the transgressing from dharma destroys people and only the dharma protected by following dharma (practical implementation) keeps people safe.

Logical structure of the verse can be explained also in terms of premises and conclusion as “धर्म एव हतो हन्ति” as the first premise which implies – if dharma is destroyed it causes destruction and the second premise as “धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः”, meaning – if dharma is protected it ensures protection; and finally, the conclusion as “तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यः” ~ therefore dharma must not be harmed!

It suggests that if dharma is violated or neglected, it leads to destruction – not just of itself but of those who abandon it.

Therefore, one should not abandon one’s dharma since the neglected and disdained dharma corrupted by immorality leads us to the downfall.

Saṁskr̥ta words in context : 

1. Atikramaṇa – Crossing the line/Transgression
2. Upekṣhita – Neglected
3. Dharma – Righteous duty
4. Artha – Wealth

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