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{{Short description|Yama (ethical rule) in Hinduism}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Hindu philosophy}}
'''{{transliteration|sa|Dhṛti}}''' or '''{{transliteration|sa|Dhriti}}''' or '''{{transliteration|sa|Dhruti}}''' ({{langx|sa|धृति}}), means to 'act with determination',<ref>''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' Sl. XVIII.26</ref> 'patience',<ref>''[[Bhagavata Purana|Srimad Bhagavatam]]'' Sl. V.v.10–13</ref> 'firmness',<ref>''Caitanyacaritamrita Madhya'' Sl. XXIV.11</ref> and refers to 'perseverance',<ref>''Caitanyacaritamrita Madhya'' Sl. XXIV.174</ref> 'wearing regularly'.<ref>''Caitanyacaritamrita Madhya'' Sl. XXIV.333</ref>

Dhruti, meaning 'fortitude' and 'determination', is defined as the subtle faculty in a person that makes them strive continuously towards a goal. Dhruti is a quality of peace, courage, patience, enthusiasm, and perseverance to face and overcome all odds and obstacles.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

{{transliteration|sa|Dhrti}} is one of the {{transliteration|sa|[[yamas]]}}, one of the eleven ''[[Rudrani|Rudrāṇīs]].''<ref>{{multiref2|''[[Bhagavata Purana|Srimad Bhagavatam]]'' Sl.III.xii.13|{{cite web|title=Sanskrit: dhrti|url=http://vedabase.net/d/dhrti|access-date=2014-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924121503/http://vedabase.net/d/dhrti|website=Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network|archive-date=2014-09-24|url-status=dead}}
}}</ref> There is no correct equivalent English word for {{transliteration|sa|dhrti}} which is derived from {{transliteration|sa|dhr-}} meaning 'to bear'.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cy9B-U-OVCwC&q=dhrti+upanishads&pg=PA432 |title=The Upanishads |date=29 January 2004 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=9780141938011 |page=432}}</ref> Dhriti was reborn as Madri in the [[Mahabharata]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Holy Gita Ready Reference|year=2007|publisher=Chinmaya Mission|page=417|isbn=9788190372800|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fNNGYOGoibgC&q=dhrti&pg=PA433}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[Lakshmi]] is referred to the epithet of Dhruti or Dhriti in the Lakshmi Sahasranama to describe her quality of courage and light.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Karunakaran |first=V. S. |url=https://ixtheo.de/Record/138238503X |title=Lakṣmyaṣṭottaraśatanāmaniruktistutiḥ = Explanation of the sacred names of Sri Maha Lakshmi |date=2006 |publisher=Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam}}</ref>

The name Dhriti also appears in the [[Lalita Sahasranama]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://ixtheo.de/Record/1098359399 |title=Lalit-a-Sahasranāma: with Bhāskarāraya's commentary |date=1994 |publisher=The Adyar Library [u.a.] |isbn=978-81-85141-03-9 |editor-last=Sastry |editor-first=R. Anantakrishna |edition=3. ed., 7. repr |series=The Adyar Library General series |location=Madras |editor-last2=Bhāskararāya Dīkshita Bhāratī}}</ref>
==Vedic relevance==

{{transliteration|sa|Dhrti}} is the name of a [[Vedic]] [[metre]] of the type 12.12.8|12.8|12.8., and is a variety of the
{{transliteration|sa|atichandas}}.<ref>{{cite book|first=Edward Vernon|last=Arnold|title=Vedic metre in its historical development|year=1905|page=[https://archive.org/details/vedicmetreinitsh00arnouoft/page/249 249]|url= https://archive.org/details/vedicmetreinitsh00arnouoft|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|quote=dhrti vedas.}}</ref> It is also the name of a yoga in the [[Hindu Calendar]]. The [[Vedic]] [[Rishi]]s address their prayers to the [[Visvedevas]] just as they do the [[Adityas]] and the [[Maruts]]; who all as a group are the protectors of the ten [[Rta]]s including {{transliteration|sa|Dhrti}} ('forbearance') which word represents an abstract idea like {{transliteration|sa|Hri}} and {{transliteration|sa|Kirti}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology|first=Ashim Kumar|last=Bhattacharya|date=February 2006|publisher=iUniverse|page=152|isbn=9780595384556|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EAcewrt08boC&q=dhrti+vedas&pg=PA151}}</ref>

As part of the performance of the ''[[Ashvamedha|Ashvamedha yajna]]'', as mentioned in the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', ''Asvalayana-srauta-sutra'', and ''Sankhayana-srauta-sutra'', the ''[[Adhvaryu]]'' offered, for the safe movement of the Sacrificial Horse during day-time, three ''Istis'' daily to ''[[Savitr]]'' and at nightfall performed four ''Dhrti Homas'' for the safe sheltering of that horse during night-time. While the ''Dhrti Homas'' were in progress, a ''Rajanya'' (''[[Kshatriya]]'') lute-player (''veenagathi'') sang three songs (''[[Gatha (India)|Gatha]]'') made up of many verses in which he praised the royal-sacrificer with the mention of his heroic exploits, viz., the wars he waged, the battles he won, the conquests he made, so on.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas Vol.1|author=Swami Parmeshwaranand|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons
|page=111|isbn=9788176252263|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6F0ZIBIL2ZAC&q=dhrti+puranas&pg=PA111}}</ref>

==Puranic relevance==

The [[Purana]] Index lists ''Dhrti'', borne by ''Vijaya'', as one of the sons of ''[[Dharma]]'' who was the son of [[Brahma]], and who married all thirteen daughters of ''[[Daksha]]'', each of whom bore ''Dhrti'' a son. ''Dhrtavarta'' was the son of ''Dhrti'' and father of ''Satyakarma''. ''Nandi'' was a consort of ''Dhrti''. ''Niyama'' was a son of ''Dhrti''. And, ''Dhrti'' ('courage') is invoked in the ''Grahabalis''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Purana Index|author=V.R.Ramachandra Dikshitar|year=1995|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|pages=159, 179, 199, 243, 677|isbn=9788120812734|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z7bFwZhfSOsC&q=dhrti&pg=PA180}}</ref>

In the ''Stuti'' of ''[[Devi-Bhagavata Purana|Devi Bhagavatam]]'' (V.22.25-42), ''[[Shakti|Devi]]'', who is the Energy for the creation and destruction of the universe, has been praised as having many names and as residing in all in the form of ''[[shakti]]'' ('power and energy'), ''amrti'' ('memory'), ''dhrti'' ('steadfastness'), ''[[buddhi]] '' ('intelligence'), so on.<ref>{{cite book|title=Purana Vol.VIII|year=1966|publisher=All-India Kashiraj Trust, Fort Ramnagar, Varanasi|url= https://archive.org/stream/puranavolviii015194mbp/puranavolviii015194mbp_djvu.txt}}</ref>

==Implication==

''Dhrti'' meaning 'fortitude' and 'determination' is defined as the subtle faculty in man that makes him strive continuously towards a goal. It provides courage, enthusiasm and perseverance to face and overcome all odds and obstacles.<ref>{{cite book|title=Holy Gita Ready Reference|year=2007|publisher=Chinmaya Mission|page=417|isbn=9788190372800|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fNNGYOGoibgC&q=dhrti&pg=PA433}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> With regard to the three types of ''Dhrtis'' mentioned in the Bhagavad [[Gita]], Swami Tejomayananda states that ''Sattvic dhrti'' is the unswerving fortitude with which one works for a noble cause with enthusiasm and dedication, despite obstacles; ''Rajasic dhrti'' is the fortitude displayed for a while, in a part, place or under particular circumstances to achieve particular goals and may dissolve under different circumstances and situations, and ''Tamasic dhrti'' is the stubbornness with which one holds on to the false.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ponder Awhile|author=Swami Tejomayananda|year=2004|publisher=Chinmaya Mission|page=61|isbn=9788175973381|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SbYR4Bw39ckC&q=dhrti&pg=PA61}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar suggests the three gunas that is determination, similar to dhrti; "The ambition (''rajastic'') keeps the faith alive. Satvic faith is innocence and is born out of fullness of consciousness." Tamasic faith is due to dullness, complacent that only God will take care of all these things. If there is no faith, there is fear. "In Gyana (state of wisdom) there is alertness without tension [or fear] and faith without complacency." To be one who possesses the higher spiritual knowledge.<ref>{{cite web |last1= Shankar |first1=Sri Sri Ravi |title=Faith and Alertness (original in December 2010) |url=https://knowledgesheetsbygurudev.blogspot.com/2018/01/faith-and-alertness.html |website=dailyknowledgesutra.blogspot.com |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>

The two factors that supply the fuel and the motive force in all sustained endeavours are - ''buddhi'' ('understanding') and ''dhrti'' ('fortitude'), the former is 'the intellectual capacity to grasp what is happening' and the latter is 'the constancy of purpose and self-application'.<ref>{{cite book|title=Holy Gita Ready Reference|year=2007|publisher=Chinmaya Mission|page=433|isbn=9788190372800|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fNNGYOGoibgC&q=dhrti&pg=PA433}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Abhinavagupta]] states that since everyone works therefore, everyone possesses ''dhrti''; he holds ''buddhi'' to mean 'resolution' and ''dhrti'' to mean 'satisfaction'.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gitarthasangrha|author=Abhinavagupta|date=January 1983|publisher=BRILL|page=209|isbn=9004067361|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U9oUAAAAIAAJ&q=dhrti&pg=PA209}}</ref>

In [[Hinduism]], four things viz. [[Śruti]] and [[Smriti]] which are society’s codes of ethics, ''sadacara'' which is good noble conduct accepted by society; and ''svasya ca priyam atmanah'' which is one’s own joy and pleasure, determine [[Dharma]]. The ''sanatana dharma'' is the eternal universal values to be followed by all people in life, and ''varnasrama dharma'' consists of specific duties given to each individual; Dharma means that holds everyone and everything together which leads to material prosperity and spiritual realization in this life itself. According to [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]], ''Dhrti'' is one of the ten values necessary for all people at all times that characterize Dharma. ''Dhrti'' means fortitude; it means the capacity to hold on to something. It is the ''sattavic dhrti'' which is strength, force and ability that makes us hold on to noble values of life.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Culture|author=Swami Tejomayananda|year=1994|publisher=Chinmaya Mission|pages=95–96|isbn=9788175971653|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5VZtNRl24fsC&q=dhrti&pg=PA96}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

''Sattavic dhrti'' and ''Sattvic buddhi'' are mutually related terms. [[Krishna]] explains to [[Arjuna]] ([[Bhagavad Gita]] Sl. XVIII.30):

:प्रवृति च निवृति च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये |
:बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||

Meaning; "That which knows the paths of work and renunciation, what ought to be done and what not to be done, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation, that 'understanding' is ''sattvic'' ('pure')." In the Bhagavad Gita the nature of Sattvic reasoning, Rajasic reasoning and Tamasic reasoning is described this way, as paths of work and renunciation. Which means the function of the intellect is [[Viveka (Discrimination)|discrimination]], the faculty of 'right understanding ' (''buddhi'') which gives real joy, success and prosperity. With regard to sattvic dhrti he states ([[Bhagavad Gita]] l. XVIII.33):

:धृत्या यया धारयते मनः प्राणेन्द्रियकिर्याः |
:योगेनव्यभिचरिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||

The unwavering 'fortitude' by which through [[Yoga]], the functions of the mind, the [[Prana]] and the senses are restrained, that 'fortitude', is ''sattvic'' ('pure').<ref>{{cite web |last1=International Gita Society |title=Bhagavad Gita all 18 Chapters in Sanskrit by H.H Swami Brahmananda, Chinmaya Mission (Courtesy of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust) |url=https://www.gita-society.com/gitaaudio2011igssanskritgita.html |website=gita-society.com |access-date=28 June 2019 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629130748/https://www.gita-society.com/gitaaudio2011igssanskritgita.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Bhagavad Gita: Chapter XVIII |url=https://hariharji.blogspot.com/2008/04/chapter-xviii-srimad-bhagwad-gita.html |website=hariharji.blogspot.com |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Bhagavad Gita |publisher=International Society for Krishna Consciousness |pages=66–67 |url=https://www.bhagavad-gita-as-it-is.org/ |access-date=28 June 2019 }}</ref>
In this context [[Adi Sankara|Sankara]] in his Bhasya on the Bhagavad Gita explains that 'action' (way of works) is movement leading to bondage and 'inaction' (renunciation) leads to liberation. The remote expression – unwavering or unfaltering or unbroken concentration, should be related to resolve or ''dhrti''; the sense is that the functions of the mind and so forth, maintained through unfaltering resolve, are in fact maintained through concentration.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bhagavad Gita Bhasya of Sankaracarya|publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math|pages=578–580|url= http://www.chennaimath.org/istore/product/bhagavad-gita-bhashya-sankara/|quote=Bhagavad Gita Slokas XVIII.30-33}}</ref>

==Yogic relevance==

[[Patanjali]]’s [[Yoga Sutra]] II.28 reads:-

:योगाङगानुष्ठानादशुध्दिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिराविवेकख्यातेः |

:"From the consistent practice of the parts of the Yoga-process, on the elimination of the impurity, the radiant organ of perception becomes manifest, until there is a steady discriminative insight."

This means – as impurities are eliminated through the observance of the steps of [[yoga]], a gradual kindling of knowledge occurs up to the full illumination of discriminatory wisdom. Discriminatory wisdom as virtue is the cause of happiness, and both, Vyasa and Vijnanabhikshu in their commentaries list nine causes including as the ninth cause ''Dhrti'' here meaning sustenance; and agree that the ''yoga-angas'' eradicate the impurity in both tangible (''drshta'') and intangible (''adrshta'') ways i.e. the physical practices such as purification (''[[shaucha]]''), and through ''[[japa]]''. Elimination means disappearance of the veil on the ''sattva mind-field''. The body is the sustainer of the senses being their resort but the senses sustain the body by way of providing spiritual and material welfare. The gross elements are the sustainers of the body and also sustain each other; the diverse sub-human, human and celestial bodies are mutually the sustainers and the sustained. ''Dhrti'' also means patience, remaining true to duty ([[dharmas]] - religious duties, moral rights and duties) even in calamities, and perfection in maintaining wisdom.<ref>{{cite book|title=Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali|year=2001|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|pages=445, 450, 465, 675, 677|isbn=9788120818255|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2G3KR32j-T4C&q=dhrti&pg=PA677}}</ref>

==Vaishno relevance==

Verse II.vi.145 of ''Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu'' states – the steadiness of heart arising from attaining realization of the Lord, from absence of suffering in attaining the realization of the Lord, and from realizing ''prema'' with the Lord is called ''dhrti''; in this state there is no lamentation for things not attained or for things that have disappeared. ''Ksama'' ('tolerance') is included in ''dhrti-bhava''. The three types of ''rati'' ('relationship of love', 'attraction') are ''priti'' ('affection'), '' sakhya'' ('friendship') and ''vatsalya'', ''dhrti'' along with ''vitarka'' ('conjecture'), '' mati'' ('scriptural conclusion'), ''nirveda'' ('self-disgust'), ''smrti '' ('remembrance'), ''harsa'' ('joy'), and the type of ''bodha'' arising from destruction of ignorance become somewhat causes of ''rati''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu Part 1|publisher=David Bruce Hughes|page=279,293,295,317|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vuncDaOZSDkC&q=dhrti&pg=PA280}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Indian Philosophy|state=collapsed}}
{{Virtues}}

[[Category:Yoga concepts]]
[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]

Dhrti - Revision history

JaniePan0653361 at 22:44, 3 November 2025