Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah is a popular Sanskrit phrase mentioned in the Mahabharata and Manusmriti verse 8.15. It can be loosely translated as "Dharma protects those who protect it". The closest synonyms for Dharma in English are righteousness and ethics. It is the motto of the Research and Analysis Wing, National Law School of India University and the Hindutva organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Scriptures

The phrase is part of a Manusmriti verse that says:
The Manusmriti was first translated by Sir William Jones in 1776 for making legal provisions for Hindus in British India including other Sanskrit religious books.
This phrase is also found in the Mahabharata. It is mentioned three times.
In the Vana Parva Yudhishthira said to a yaksha -
This translation is from M. N. Dutt's Mahabharata. In that book, this verse is found in 3.312.128.
A slightly different verse is mentioned in the Anushasana Parva.
It is also mentioned in Mahabharata 3.30.8 Gita Press, Hindi Translation.