Dharma, dharma embraces every type of righteous conduct covering every aspect of life essential for the sustenance and welfare of the individual and the society and includes those rules which guide and enable those who believe in God and heaven to attain moksha (eternal bliss). Rules of dharma are meant to regulate the individual conduct, in such a way as to restrict the rights, liberty, interest and desires of an, individual as regards all matters to the extent necessary in the interest of other individuals, i.e., the society and at the same time making it obligatory for the society to safeguard and protect the individual in all respects through its social and political institutions. Shortly put, dharma regulates the mutual obligations of individual and the society. Therefore, it was stressed that protection of dharma was in the interest of both the individual and the society, A 'state of dharma' was required to be always maintained for peaceful coexistence and prosperity of all.
Though dharma is a word of wide meaning as to cover the rules concerning all matters such as spiritual, moral and personal as also civil, criminal and constitutional law, it gives the precise meaning depending upon the context in which it is used. When dharma is used in the context of duties of the individual and powers of the King (the State), it means constitutional law (Rajadharma). Likewise when it is said that Dharmarajya is necessary for the peace and prosperity of the people and for establishing an egalitarian society, the word dharma in the context of the word Rajya only means law, and Dharmilrajya means rule of law and not rule of religion or a theocratic State. Dharma in the context of legal and constitutional history only means Vyavaharadharma and Rajadharma evolved by the society through the ages which is binding both on the King (the ruler) and the people (the ruled).
The word 'dharma' or 'Hindu dharma' denotes upholding, supporting, nourishing that which upholds, nourishes or supports the stability of the society, maintaining social order and general well-being and progress of mankind; whatever conduces to the fulfilment of these objects is dharma, it is Hindu dharma and ultimately 'Sarva Dharma Sambhava'.
In contradistinction, dharma is that which approves oneself or good consciousness or springs from due deliberation for one's own happiness and also for welfare of all beings free from fear, desire, disease, cherishing good feelings and sense of brotherhood, unity and friendship for integration of Bharat. This is the core religion to which the Constitution accords protection, A.S. Narayana Deekshitulu v. State of A.P., (1996) 6 SCC 548: AIR 1996 SC 1765.
The word 'dharma' has a very wide meaning. One meaning of it is the 'moral values or ethics' on which the life is naturally regulated. Dharma or righteousness is elemental and fundamental in all nations, periods and times. For example, truth, love and compassion are human virtues. This is what Hindus Call sanatan dharma meaning religion which is immutable, constant, living, permanent and ever in existence, Aruna Roy v. Union of India, (2002) 7 SCC 368 (399).