What is the source of this Sanskrit verse?

This subhashitam is from Mahabharata (Vana Parva 3.131.11).

What are the key themes of this verse?

The key themes of this subhashitam are: dharma, true dharma, Satyavikrama, kudharma, adharma, Mahabharata.

All Subhashitams Mahabharata

धर्मं यो बाधते धर्मो

MahabharataVana Parva 3.131.11

धर्मं यो बाधते धर्मो न स धर्मः कुधर्मकः । अविरोधात्तु यो धर्मः स धर्मः सत्यविक्रम ॥

बाधतेobstructs/harms

धर्मःdharma

कुधर्मकःbad dharma

अविरोधात्without conflict

सत्यविक्रमO Satyavikrama

O Satyavikrama! A dharma that harms another's dharma is not dharma; it is kudharma (bad dharma). Only that dharma which does not conflict with others' dharma is true dharma.

dharmatrue dharmaSatyavikramakudharmaadharmaMahabharata

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यस्मिन्यथा वर्तते यो मनुष्यःOne should behave toward another just as that person behaves toward them; this is considered true Dharma. A person who acts with deceit should be met with deceit, and a person who acts with goodness should be met with goodness.Mahabharata
धारणात् धर्म इत्याहुःThat which holds together is called dharma. Dharma sustains the people. Whatever has the power to unite, that is assuredly dharma.Mahabharata
आहारनिद्राभयमैथुनं चEating, sleeping, fear, and procreation: these are common to both animals and humans. Dharma alone is the distinguishing quality of humans; without dharma, they are equal to animals.Mahabharata
परैः परिभवे प्राप्तेWhen facing insult from outsiders, we are one hundred and five together. But in mutual conflict, we are five and they are one hundred.Mahabharata

धर्मं यो बाधते धर्मो

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