What is meaning and source of “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah” ?

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita (धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः) is a Sanskrit phrase mentioned in Mahabharata and Manusmriti

Dharma means “what is right and needs to be done”

Reference in Mahabharata:

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मं न त्यजामि मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् – Mahabharata- Vana Parva – 313.128

Those who destroy Dharma, dharma destroys them and those who protect Dharma, dharma protects them. That is why I don’t abandon the right dharma

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यः पार्थिवेन विशेषतः।।  – Mahabharata- Anushasana Parva – 214.54

Reference in Manu Smriti:

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् । — Manu Smriti 8.15

Those who destroy Dharma, dharma destroys them and those who protect Dharma, dharma protects them. That is why I don’t abandon the right dharma