"Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha"

The True Meaning of "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha"

The phrase "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha" comes from ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Manusmriti. It means, "Those who protect dharma will be protected by dharma, and those who destroy it will be destroyed by it." This powerful phrase holds a beautiful and inspiring lesson for all of us.

In simple terms, "dharma" here doesn’t just mean following a religion; it means living a life of kindness, humanity, and love. It’s about being helpful, caring, and fulfilling our responsibilities. It means respecting others, being true to ourselves, and showing compassion to everyone around us, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. When we live by these values, dharma protects us and brings positivity into our lives. But if we stray from this path, doing harm to others, dharma has a way of teaching us lessons through karma. 
                                                                                                                                                              Unfortunately, many people today misunderstand this phrase. Instead of using it as a guide to spread kindness, they twist its meaning to justify anger and hatred.

For example, if someone from another religion says something negative, instead of responding with patience and understanding, some people choose to respond with even more hate, thinking they are defending their own beliefs. They fill social media with negativity, claiming they are "protecting" their religion or their gods. But the truth is, does any god really need us to protect them? Our gods are powerful and don’t need us to fight in their name. Instead, they teach us to be better human beings.

If we truly understand the teachings of our sacred texts, like the Bhagavad Gita, we would know that the real way to follow dharma is by spreading love, patience, and understanding, just like Lord Shri Ram did. He always acted with kindness, even when faced with negativity. True strength lies in responding to hate with love and doing what is right, regardless of how others behave.

Many people proudly display the phrase "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha" in their social media bios, but they forget its true meaning. If they genuinely understood it, they would realize that it’s not about winning arguments or proving others wrong; it’s about living a life of goodness and compassion. Let’s remember that the best way to protect dharma is by being the best version of ourselves—kind, loving, and true to our values. That’s the real way to honor this ancient and wise teaching.