History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v1.c6.s1.14

v1.c6.s1.14

It would be interesting to recall a few other definitions of *dharma*. Jaimini¹³ defines dharma as ‘a desirable goal or result that is indicated by injunctive (Vedic) passages.’ The word *dharma* would mean such rites as are conducive to happiness and are enjoined by Vedic passages. The Vaiśeṣikasūtra¹⁴ defines *dharma* as ‘that from which results happiness and final beatitude.’ There are several other more or less one-sided definitions of *dharma* such as ‘*ahiṁsā* paramo dharmaḥ’ (Anuśāsanaparva 115. 1.), ‘ānṛśaṁsyam paro dharmaḥ’ (Vanaparva 373. 76), ‘ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ’ (Manu I. 108). Hārita defined dharma as ‘śrutipramāṇaka’¹⁵ (based on revelation). In the Buddhist sacred books the word *dharma* has several senses. It often means the whole teaching of Buddha (S. B. E. Vol. X. p. XXXIII). Another meaning of *dharma* peculiar to the Buddhist system is ‘an element of existence, i. e. of matter, mind and forces¹⁶.’