Dharma in Hindu thought signifies the principle that sustains both the cosmos and human life, binding them into a coherent moral and spiritual order. It is understood as the universal law that maintains harmony and balance, the divine pattern that prevents chaos and upholds truth and justice. At the same time, it functions as the standard of what is right, appropriate, and just in thought, word, and action, encompassing virtues such as truthfulness, nonviolence, self-control, compassion, and fairness. In this sense, dharma is not merely a rule or command, but the very structure of reality expressed as ethical obligation.

On the individual level, dharma appears as svadharma, one’s own proper duty, shaped by stage of life (āśrama), social function (varṇa), and particular circumstances and capacities. It defines responsibilities toward family, society, and the wider cosmos, and it guides decision-making when ethical dilemmas arise, often calling for duty to be placed above personal preference or desire. Because it is sensitive to context, dharma is not identical for everyone; what is righteous for one person or situation may not be so for another. Yet, through this diversity of roles and obligations, a larger harmony is maintained.

Dharma is also intimately connected with karma, for actions aligned with it generate merit and those opposed to it generate demerit, shaping future experience and rebirth. By consistently acting in accordance with dharma, a person purifies karma and gradually refines character and consciousness. This steady alignment with the moral and cosmic order supports spiritual progress and prepares the ground for moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Thus, dharma serves as both the foundation of ethical life and a crucial pathway toward ultimate freedom.

On the social plane, dharma undergirds the structures and relationships that hold communities together, providing a framework for justice, mutual support, and stability. When individuals fulfill their respective duties in harmony with this principle, social order reflects the deeper cosmic order it is meant to mirror. In this way, dharma can be seen as the thread that connects everyday conduct with the vast rhythm of the universe, making each righteous action a participation in the maintenance of cosmic balance.