Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita (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 "those who protect the law are protected by the law."[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

The English translation of the quote by Ganganath Jha is "Justice, blighted, blights; and justice, preserved, preserves; hence justice should not be blighted, lest blighted justice blight us."[6]

It is the motto of Research and Analysis Wing, the Indian foreign intelligence agency and National Law School of India University.[4]

References
  1. Vidyāprakāśānandagirisvāmi. Gita Makaranda. India: Sri Suka Brahma Ashram, 1980.
  2. Tripathy, Dr Preeti. Indian Religions: Tradition, History and Culture. Axis Publications. ISBN 978-93-80376-17-2.
  3. Shaji, U. S. Studies in Hindu Religion. Cyber Tech Publications. ISBN 978-81-7884-386-5. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  4. "Shloka Shock: A verse from religious text not always just religious". The Financial Express. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. Runzo, Joseph; Martin, Nancy M.; Sharma, Arvind. Human Rights and Responsibilities in the World Religions. Oneworld Publications. ISBN 978-1-85168-309-3. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. "Manusmriti Verse 8.15". wisdomlib.org. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  7. Glener, Doug; Komaragiri, Sarat. Wisdom's Blossoms: Tales of the Saints of India. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-0-8348-2938-1. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
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