A primer on Dharm (Hinduism)
Understanding Dharm, Sanatan Dharm, and Hinduism
Importance of Pronunciation: Why Spelling and Pronunciation Matter for Sanskrit/Hindi words
Western speakers, for reasons of convenience, often add an “a” at the end of every Sanskrit or Hindi term. What is tragic is that rather than correcting these mispronunciations, generations of Indian writers and speakers have gone along with them, as though validation from the West was more important than fidelity to accuracy. It is yet another small but telling example of the inferiority complex that haunts Indian intellectual life in the last century and continuing into this.
But here is the thing: in Sanskrit, pronunciation is not cosmetic—it is essential. The syllables of Sanskrit were crafted with extraordinary precision, and ancient mantras were designed not only to carry meaning but also to produce vibrations that heal the body and mind. Mispronouncing them makes them less effective, even hollow.
A few simple but important examples:
It is Dharm, not Dharma.
It is Karm, not Karma.
My own small rebellion against this linguistic distortion is to use the correct spellings when I write. It means I am constantly in battle with the English dictionary, but it is a battle worth fighting. If we don’t respect the integrity of our own language, who will?
Why Write About Sanatan Dharm Now?
The terms Sanatan Dharm, Dharm, Hinduism are used interchangeably. I prefer to use the term Dharm for simplicity. I feel compelled to write about Dharm (what most know as Hinduism) because I have noticed something troubling. Majority of Hindus today —both in India and abroad—carry only a superficial knowledge of their tradition. They may celebrate festivals, visit temples, or recite aarti/mantr, but when pressed to explain the essence of their Dharm, most stumble badly. Too many have been successfully led into believing Dharm is a religion. It is not, there is no equivalent word in English, so we much use the term, Dharm.
This is not a criticism; it is an observation born from my own journey. My parents’ generation have neglected teaching knowledge of Dharm to their children in favour of solely material knowledge. My generation are worse – how can you teach something you don’t understand yourself.
What Dharm Means
Words matter. Let’s pause at the word Hinduism. The suffix “-ism” suggests a structured religion, with a fixed creed and commandments. But Dharm is not that. It is not a religion invented at a point in history; it is a way of life rooted in eternal principles.
Sanatan means eternal, timeless, without beginning or end.
Dharm means righteous path, natural order, the law that sustains the universe.
Nowhere in this framework are you required to profess belief in one form of God or another. You may believe in Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Jesus, Buddha, or no deity at all—living in harmony with nature itself is Dharm. The concept of ONE God with many names exists, yes, but it is not imposed. The essence lies in living rightly, in balance with truth and justice.
Core Principles of Dharm:
Moral Responsibility:
Dharm refers to the ethical or moral code that guides an individual's conduct. It is about doing what is right and just.Duty:
Dharm also means one's duty or righteous path in life — based on their stage of life.Universal Law:
Dharm is often described as the cosmic law that maintains order in the universe. Following Dharm help sustain harmony in society and nature.
4. Righteousness:
It embodies virtues like duty, honesty, compassion, patience.
Why This Matters
In a world of shallow distractions and relentless noise, we need anchors. Dharm, as distilled in the Bhagavad Gita, provides that anchor. It is not about rituals or sects or the need to prove faith. It is about how we live each moment—how we choose, how we act, and how we align ourselves with what is true and just.
That, to me, is why it is worth writing about Dharm. Because it is not a relic of the past. It is a compass for the present, and a guide for the future.
Thank you for taking the time to read. I welcome your thoughts, especially thoughtful counterarguments that help move the discussion forward.
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Very nicely written and explained, Anupam. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
This was a very enlightening read and I totally agree with you when you say "If we don’t respect the integrity of our own language, who will?"
Unfortunately, I too, like many others, have been taken-in by the western interpretation of our own words and thought the proper words were "Karma" and "Dharma" etc. so stand corrected that it should be "Karm and Dharm" etc.
It would also be helpful if those in the "public eye" such as yogi's, politicians, actors, speakers etc. relay this information and stress on the the proper pronunciation until it becomes the norm everywhere!