Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita (Sanskrit: धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः; IAST: dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ) is a popular Sanskrit phrase mentioned in Mahabharata and Manusmriti verse 8.15. It can be loosely translated as "The Dharma protects those who protect it." The closest synonyms for Dharma in English are righteousness and ethics. The phrase is a part of a full Manusmriti verse that says: dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ tasmād dharmo na hantavyo mā no dharmo hato'vadhīt — Manusmriti 8.15 धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत्