Question
Saving Dharma and Saving Lives
Answer
First of all you need to understand what is dharma? In simple words, Dharma is the moral duty of a person towards the society and god.
Dharma is meant for the protection and well being of people.
Dharma protects and preserves the people. So it is the conclusion of the pandits that what maintains is Dharma. [ Karna Parva 69]
Dharma was declared (by Brahman) for the growth and well being of living beings. Therefore, that which leads to well being and growth is dharma. Dharma declares that one should not harm any other creature. Therefore, that is Dharma which prevents injury to creatures. Dharma is so called because it upholds all creatures. [ Shanti Parva 109]
So the sole purpose of dharma is itself the protection life.
Note: “The question: Saving Dharma and Saving Lives” is licensed by Stack Exchange Inc (https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/); user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA.