The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2389 page)

 
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see
TRIK
YA
.

 
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(Skt., sva, ‘own’, + dharma, ‘duty, right’). In Hinduism, one's own right, duty, or nature; one's own role in the social and cosmic order. Svadharma is relative to one's
caste
and stage of life (cf.
var
ramadharma
), and to one's situation (cf.
paddharma). Svadharma or relative
dharma
often conflicts with s
dh
ra
a dharma, universal dharma, or
san
tana dharma
, absolute or eternal dharma. For example, to kill is a violation of eternal dharma, yet a warrior's
svadharma
(own duty, nature) is to kill.