Editing Dharma (section)

==Etymology==
[[File:Dhamma inscription.jpg|thumb|The [[Prakrit]] word "''dhaṃ-ma''"/[[wikt:𑀥𑀁𑀫|𑀥𑀁𑀫]] ([[Sanskrit]]: Dharma [[wikt:धर्म#Sanskrit|धर्म]]) in the [[Brahmi script]], as inscribed by Emperor [[Ashoka]] in his [[Edicts of Ashoka]] (3rd century BCE)]]
The word ''dharma'' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ɑːr|m|ə}})<ref>{{cite book |last=Wells |first=John C. |year=2008 |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |edition=3rd |publisher=Longman |isbn=978-1-4058-8118-0}}</ref> has roots in the [[Sanskrit]] ''dhr-'', which means ''to hold'' or ''to support'', and is related to Latin ''firmus'' (firm, stable).<ref name="EtymologicalDictionary">Barnhart, R. K. (ed.) (1998) ''Chambers Dictionary  of Etymology''.</ref> From this, it takes the meaning of "what is established or firm", and hence "law". It is derived from an older [[Vedic Sanskrit]] ''n''-stem ''dharman-'', with a literal meaning of "bearer, supporter", in a [[Historical Vedic religion|religious sense]] conceived as an aspect of [[Rta]].{{sfn|Day|1982|pp=42–45}}

In the [[Rigveda]], the word appears as an ''n''-stem, ''{{IAST|dhárman-}}'', with a range of meanings encompassing "something established or firm" (in the literal sense of prods or poles). Figuratively, it means "sustainer" and "supporter" (of [[Hindu deities|deities]]). It is semantically similar to the Greek ''[[themis]]'' ("fixed decree, statute, law").{{sfn|Brereton|2004}}

In [[Sanskrit|Classical Sanskrit]], and in the [[Vedic Sanskrit]] of the [[Atharvaveda]], the stem is thematic: ''{{IAST|dhárma-}}'' ([[Devanagari]]: धर्म). In [[Prakrit]] and [[Pali]], it is rendered ''dhamma''. In some [[Indo-Aryan languages#New Indo-Aryan|contemporary Indian languages]] and dialects it alternatively occurs as ''dharm''.

In the 3rd century BCE the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan Emperor]] [[Ashoka]] translated ''dharma'' into [[Greek language|Greek]] and [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]] and he used the Greek word ''[[eusebeia]]'' (εὐσέβεια, piety, spiritual maturity, or godliness) in the [[Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription]] and the [[Kandahar Greek Edicts of Ashoka|Kandahar Greek Edicts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/905466/how-did-the-ramayana-and-mahabharata-come-to-be-and-what-has-dharma-got-to-do-with-it |title=How did the 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata' come to be (and what has 'dharma' got to do with it)?|date=13 December 2018}}</ref> In the former, he used the Aramaic word {{lang|arc|קשיטא}} (''{{lang|arc-Latn|qšyṭ’}}''; truth, rectitude).{{sfn|Hiltebeitel|2011|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=U4NF8pYxdvIC&pg=PA36 36–37]}}