dharma

Dharma is a multi-faceted concept in Indian philosophy and religion, usually translated as duty, righteousness, or law. Derived from Sanskrit dharma, it denotes the principle that sustains order in the cosmos and ethical life. In Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions, dharma encompasses universal truths as well as specific duties. The term is closely linked to concepts such as adharma (unrighteousness) and karma, and its meaning shifts across texts and contexts.

In Hindu thought, dharma denotes the cosmic order and the duties appropriate to one's nature, stage of life, and social role (svadharma). It balances personal virtue with social obligation and is intertwined with karma and moksha. Duties to family and society, truthfulness, non-violence, generosity, and ritual conduct can be described as dharma. The phrase sanatana dharma is used to describe an eternal universal order underlying diverse practices.

In Buddhism, dharma (Dhamma) refers to the teachings of the Buddha and to the universal law of moral causation that leads to liberation. It is the path, practice, and truth that ends suffering. In Jainism, dharma denotes the moral law and virtuous conduct that disciplines the soul and supports spiritual purification; adherence to non-violence, truth, and self-control is framed as dharma.

In Sikhism, dharma connotes righteous living in accord with God's will (Hukm) and ethical virtues such as honesty, compassion, and equality. The term also appears in secular and legal language in parts of South Asia to mean law or social duty. Because dharma is context-dependent, interpreters emphasize its flexible, plural nature rather than a single definition.