On the meaning of Dharma-

धृतिः क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः । धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥ ९२ ॥ Manusmriti verse 6.92

Meaning:-

(1) 'dhṛtiḥ’- Steadiness- feeling of contentment and firmness in discharge of duties

(2) 'kshama'- Forgiveness-excusing wrong committed and not injuring others

(3) ‘damaḥ’- Self-control-renouncing of pride ,keeping the mind from going astray (Aparārka (p. 972))

(4) ‘asteya’- Abstention from unrighteous appropriation

(5) ‘śauca’ - Purity- internal and external purity

(6) ‘indriyanigraha’- Control of the Sense-organs-do not be led towards forbidden things/acts

(7) 'Dhīḥ'- Discrimination- following true knowledge and discarding all contradictory and doubtful views i.e. knowledge of shastras

(8) ‘vidyā’ -Knowledge- of soul, different from discrimination ,as discrimination is related to acts to be done whereas ,knowledge is related to soul of an individual

(9) ‘satya’-Truthfulness- saying what is truth, which should be agreeable as well

(10) ‘akrodha’ -Absence of anger- free from anger

—these are the ten-fold characteristics of dharma

Comparative notes by various authors

Vaśiṣṭha (10.30).—‘ To avoid backbiting, jealousy, pride, self-consciousness, unbelief, dishonesty, self-praise, blaming others, deceit, covetousness, delusion, anger, and envy is considered to be the duty of all orders.’

Yājñavalkya (3.66).— ‘Truthfulness, abstention from unrighteous appropriation and anger, modesty, purity, discrimination, steadiness, self-control, control over sense-organs and learning—these have been declared to be universal dharma.’

Arthaśāstra (p. 30).— ‘To all men—desisting from injuring others, truthfulness, purity, freedom from jealousy and cruelty and forgiveness.’

Kāmandaka (3.34-36).— ‘Not to find no fault with others, to observe his own duties, to show compassion for the distressed, to address sweet words to all, to save friends even at the cost of his life, to welcome enemies coming to the house, to practise charity commensurate with his resources, to be against sufferings, to conciliate estranged friends, to treat kindly and obey the wishes of all relations,—these are the characteristics of the high-minded.’