Q.1) What is the correct word for Dharma in English?
Dharma is the most fundamental concept of Eastern / Vedic philosophy. It is a foundational principle. There is no English word that correctly translates as Dharma. Religion in Hindi is called मत Duty in Hindi is called कर्तव्य
Attempts to translate Dharma in English lead to distortions of the concept. It is the reason why the word is often misused in phrases like धर्म निरपेक्ष (Dharma Nirpeksh) which is meant to convey Secularism. Instead one should say मत निरपेक्ष which means “non bias towards religions”. Some words are meant to be understood through deep study and should not be translated.
Q.2) So what does the word Dharma mean?
Books can be written in explanation of the word Dharma but we will summarize its definition.
Dharma is the determining characteristic of anything or anyone. It is that without which the thing isn’t The Thing anymore. Example – Heat is the Dharma of Fire – without heat fire is something else. It isn’t fire anymore.
Q.3) Why can’t I say that Dharma is Duty?
Dharma is the identifying most fundamental characteristic of anything/anyone.
Duty is my कर्तव्य
Duty is that which I must do.
Difference between Dharma and Duty is the difference between Being and Doing.
During a period of my life I may not fulfill my duty as a daughter but during another period of my life I might do so very well. During both the periods I am still Me.
Therefore Duty is not Dharma.
Q.4) Why do many people use duty to explain Dharma?
Duty or कर्तव्य is often used to explain Dharma because while not the same, the two are related. There are 2 ways in which I can identify my duty-
A) Through external sources like elders, social conventions and scriptures.
B) Through an understanding of Dharma – that is by understanding who I am, what is my purpose in life and what is my relationship with the universe.
And since there is no english word that encapsulates complete meaning of Dharma ppl will often use the term Duty to explain it.
For an in-depth understanding of Dharma download the book Sanatan Dharma by Swami Sri Iswaransnda Giri Ji of the Giri Sanyas lineage.
