February 12th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
धारणाद्धर्म इत्याहुः धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः ।
यत् स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥
- महाभारत, कर्ण पर्व

Transliteration:
dhāraṇāddharma ityāhuḥ dharmo dhārayate prajāḥ ।
yat syāddhāraṇasaṃyuktaṃ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ ॥
- mahābhārata, karṇa parva

Meaning of the subhAShita:

(Due to) bearing, (it) is called 'dharma', dharma supports people. That which is associated with upholding (the creation) is called dharma.

Commentary:

There are certain words which communicate the meaning most effectively in their original language alone. 'धर्म' (dharma) is one such word! No matter how we translate it into English - virtue, righteousness, moral merit, attribute, etc..., it just doesn't have the same effect as the original word dharma!! The strength and weight carried in this word are..., well..., too heavy to be carried over with translation :). Hence, we will refer to it with the original word itself!

The verse says it is called as 'dharma' due to its attribute of upholding, bearing, supporting! (These words don't have the same effect as the word 'धारण' (dhāraṇa) either!) 'dharma' is the backbone of a working society. It is that aspect which keeps faith in people and keeps the world going. It is that which propitiates life and is the very basis for the existence of life itself!

But what is considered 'dharma'? What actions come under the umbrella of 'dharma'? Well, the answer is quite simple - whatever has the potential to uphold, support, endure and be the backbone of the whole creation is defined as 'dharma'!

'dharma' is that faculty which is existent in the conscience of each and every living being. Whether one accepts it or not, acts according to it or not, it is there! Its presence is felt by every creature at every step of life. We only need to pay attention and heed to it.

pada vigrahaH:
धारणात् धर्मः इति आहुः धर्मः धारयते प्रजाः ।
dhāraṇāt dharmaḥ iti āhuḥ dharmaḥ dhārayate prajāḥ ।

यत् स्यात् धारण-संयुक्तं सः धर्मः इति निश्चयः ॥
yat syāt dhāraṇa-saṃyuktaṃ saḥ dharmaḥ iti niścayaḥ ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
dhaaraNaaddharma ityaahuH dharmo dhaarayate prajaaH ।
yat syaaddhaaraNasaMyuktaM sa dharma iti nishchayaH ॥
- mahaabhaarata, karNa parva

dhaaraNaat dharmaH iti aahuH dharmaH dhaarayate prajaaH ।

yat syaat dhaaraNa-saMyuktaM saH dharmaH iti nishchayaH ॥