WHAT IS HINDUISM? SANATANA DHARMA part 1
SANATANA DHARMA
What is Hinduism? - part 1
INTRODUCTION
One busy afternoon I got a rude awakening. A friend of mine corrected me on a ‘Shani-Mantra’- (a mantra dedicated to Demi-God [Devata] Shanti), I had advised Her to chant on Saturdays for Her own benefit. She had religiously followed what I had asked Her to do. However, a few months ago during a casual conversation, She asked me to check if the ‘mantra’ I had asked Her to chant was correct because She had learned otherwise. I searched and researched a lot on the subject. And to my utter amazement I learned that though both versions were correct and were chanted regularly by most people, the version of the mantra I had asked Her to chant couldn't be correct due to its presumptions. My friend was right. I had given Her the incorrect version.
This incident made me realize that I was blindly following the mantras, shlokas etc. which have been handed down to me, without truly understanding their meaning or the reason for them.
At the time I was writing my first novel, ‘NIRVANA’. I traveled frequently for my research on the subject and matter for the contents of the novel. The above-mentioned incident made me think harder, and for that purpose, I met many people. I was surprised at the utter lack of knowledge and trivial understanding by these people, and about a religion which is followed and practiced by nearly a billion people in this country. A vast majority of people had scant knowledge of the very basics of their own religion, yet proclaiming to be knowledgeable. This was applicable to me too. To add to that, I was disappointed to learn that almost every person I met or conversed with, believed and practiced a distorted version of Hinduism. In most cases, it is practiced in direct contrast to what it preaches. I asked most followers of Hinduism as to which religion they followed and the reply I got was 'Hinduism'; they didn't know the true name of the so called 'religion' they followed. It is Santana Dharma - meaning - The Eternal Religion, as mentioned in the scriptures.
‘Satya’-Truth, Dharma-Duty, Karma-Action, ‘Gnyana’-knowledge, 'Prem'-Love, ‘Ahimsa’-peace/ non-violence, ‘Sarva-Sadbhava’ - Affection for all life-forms, ‘Kshama’-(forgiveness) and Moksha - (Freedom from the cycle of life-death-rebirth) are the principal foundations of Sanatana Dharma. However, what people follow is a contradiction.
Contrary to general perception Hinduism is neither obstinate nor dogmatic; instead it is progressive and constantly evolving.
This is a humble attempt to present my thoughts, beliefs, and convictions of the religion I practice through my own understanding of Hinduism-‘Sanatana Dharma’. This is the first article in a series of presentations to retract and find the true beliefs of Hinduism.
Study of Sanatana Dharma could take eons, and understanding it in its full potential would take an eternity. Through this a series, I am glad to share my limited knowledge with the readers. This is an attempt to simplify complexities and clear out misunderstandings/misinformation that have been created by the early Brahmins who wanted to retain their superiority over other people.
In some places, I will be contradicting many theories which have been de-legitimized and inducted into Indian mindset by so called western Indologists. In such cases, I will be using references and scientific proofs. This presentation should be read with an open mind and studied logically.
If anyone has any query or comments, they are welcome to respond through e.mail – ssselan@yahoo.in
THE ORIGIN
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| Stone Carvings on a Temple wall |
During this period, the citizens of Bharat Varsha भारत-वर्ष (Sanskrit word for the land of India), (the word ‘India’ is derived from ‘Indus’, which meant the inhabitants of Indus valley) acquired great knowledge and skills. After millennia of oral recitation and chanting of the hymns, the mantras and shlokas from Guru गुरु to Shishya शिष्य (Guru-disciple tradition) and one generation to the next, these were penned to be known as the Vedas वेद, Upanishads उपनिषद् , Puranas पुराण etc. as we know them today. The advancement and immense knowledge of the people of this civilization can only be marveled at with amazement today because the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda रिग-वेद, the Yajur-Veda यजुर-वेद, the Atharva-Veda अथर्व -वेद and the Sama-Veda साम-वेद , cover virtually every aspect of human life - from science and medicine to Yoga and meditation, from environment and economics to God and philosophy. In this era books were written on almost every subject and topic. All these were results of the way the people of this era and civilization lived – the Sanatana Dharma!
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Most Hindus who practice their religion are unawares of the basics of their belief. Hinduism was not a religion when it originated; it was a way of life in the Sindhu-Saravati and the Indus civilizations and it evolved for many millennia before ‘Sindhu-ism’ came to being called as ‘Hinduism’ after the advent of other major religions like Judaism-यहूदी, Christianity-ईसाई, Buddhism-बौद्ध and Islam-इस्लाम. (Though people call Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism as religions, these are actually sects of ‘Sanatana Dharma’).
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| ॐ (Aum) or OM is the symbol of God, Nature & Universe |
These Vedas are an amalgamation of hymns and mantras which were chanted originally by the sages and Rishis-ऋषि (the great seers). These were passed on from the Gurus (teachers) to their Shishya's (disciples). Many millennia later these were compiled and written down in books, as we know them today. Maha Rishi Ved Vyasa महर्षि वेद व्यास is greatly credited for this. Though the actual ear when these were written is disputed, these are at least 9 millennia old.
THE BASIC
The Meaning of Sanatana-Dharma
The Meaning of Sanatana-Dharma
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| Shri Ganesh |
The Sanatana-Dharma!
Firstly, we must know that no religious script of the Hindus mention the term ‘Hindu’ or ‘Hindutva’ or their meanings in any language. In Srimad-Bhagvatam or Ramayana, the Vedas or Puranas, or Upanishads, the term used for present day Hinduism is ‘Sanatana’. The scriptures provide ethics and moralities through which a human being should live a life. These form the core of Sanatana Dharma.
Sanatana Dharma has no edicts. It has a code of ethics, a way of living through which one may achieve moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and re-birth). It is the world’s most ancient culture and the social, spiritual, and religious tradition of almost one billion of the Earth’s inhabitants. Sanatana Dharma represents much more than just a religion; rather, it provides its followers with a worldview. It shows the way of life with coherent and rational view of reality.
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| The Nature is the finest example of the immanence, omnipresence, and gift of 'Brahman'-The Supreme Soul- The ParamAatma |
Sanatana Dharma represents a code of conduct and a value system that has spiritual freedom as its core. Any pathway or spiritual vision that accepts the spiritual freedom of others may be considered part of Sanatana Dharma.
Sanatana Dharma is 'Anadi' (without beginning) and 'Apaurusheya' अपौरुषेय (without a human founder). It is defined by the quest for cosmic and eternal truth, just as the quest for physical truth defines science. Its earliest record is the Rigveda, which is the record of ancient sages who by whatever means, tried to learn the truth about the universe, in relations to Man’s place in relation to the cosmos. They saw nature - including all living and non-living things - as part of the same cosmic equation, pervaded by higher consciousness. This search has no historical beginning; nor does it have a historical founder. This is not to say that the Rig Veda always existed as a literary work. It means that we cannot point to a particular time or person in history and say: “Before this man spoke, what is in the Rig Veda did not exist.”
“Sanatana” is a Sanskrit word that denotes that which is Anadi-(अनादी-without beginning), and Ananta-(अनंत-endless/eternal) and does not cease to be, that which is eternal and everlasting. In simple terms ‘Sanatana’ means ‘eternal’ or ‘perennial’, also ‘indestructible’.
Though this means it has no beginning and no end, it is only a part of the meaning. Of these, the most important is the meaning ‘the law of nature’.
Sanatana also has various other meanings. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Binding (or holding) together - the eternal path
- Eternal tradition - Philosophical
- Universal - Omnipresent
- Enduring - Natural
These are the key meanings which manifest themselves in the way the follower should be able to understand and act with the principles accordingly.
DHARMA, with its rich connotations, has no precise or accurate meaning in any language or tongue. The word Dharma is derived from Sanskrit word Dhri-(ध्री), meaning...holding together and also means 'sustaining'.It also loosely means “Natural Law,” or those principles of reality which are inherent in the very nature and design of the universe.
However, it has various other very important meanings and its variants in relation to our day to day activities.
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| The wheel of Dharma Chakra
at the center of this emblem of India, (the Ashoka lot)
The guides to ways of life
धर्म चक्र
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-Justice - Truth - Morality -Teaching - Religion - Spirituality -Wisdom - Purity/piety (of soul)
-Knowledge - Harmony - Peace - Righteousness -Compassion - Duty (Dharma) and
-Conformity to the Divine.
The meanings of Dharma (duty) seem abstracts. However, all actions mentioned above are variants of the same word which become the edicts.
Both these words, ‘Sanatana’ and ‘Dharma’, each have various meanings to them and the combined meanings of the term ‘Sanatana-Dharma’ is realized only when it is understood in its totality.
What is Sanatana Dharma? It is Spiritual Democracy!
Sanatana Dharma is the route to follow one’s eternal duty and search for, and understand our spiritual identity and to learn to live according to its principles. This is the essence of the Vedic Literatures, philosophy and culture.
Sanatana Dharma is the route to follow one’s eternal duty and search for, and understand our spiritual identity and to learn to live according to its principles. This is the essence of the Vedic Literatures, philosophy and culture.
When the word ‘Sanatana’ merges with ‘Dharma’ it combines to form a term the meanings of which grow phenomenally to encompass a huge range of meanings.
The term "Sanatana-Dharma" can be roughly translated to mean “the natural, ancient and eternal way.”
‘Sanatana-Dharma’
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| God Krishna (भगवान श्री कृष्ण) The Supreme form of God Vishnu's incarnation (avatar अवतार), The Manifestation of Brahman ब्राह्मण |
The Path to Sanatana Dharma
It has to be/can be followed on a path through:
- Meditation - Yoga
- Caring for all forms of life - Be Just and Righteous
- Performing one’s duties - Being compassion
- Acquiring knowledge - Spreading knowledge
- Respecting the elders - Respecting Nature
Following are the four most important principles:
• KAMA काम - Doing one’s Karma – (righteous acts)
• ARTH अर्थ - earning money and using it for the benefit of others (including other living beings)
• DHARMA धर्म - Doing one’s Dharma – duty and responsibility to be carried out
• MOKSHA मोक्ष - (living one’s life so noble, it relieves himself from the cycle of life and re-birth)
- Meditation - Yoga
- Caring for all forms of life - Be Just and Righteous
- Performing one’s duties - Being compassion
- Acquiring knowledge - Spreading knowledge
- Respecting the elders - Respecting Nature
Following are the four most important principles:
• KAMA काम - Doing one’s Karma – (righteous acts)
• ARTH अर्थ - earning money and using it for the benefit of others (including other living beings)
• DHARMA धर्म - Doing one’s Dharma – duty and responsibility to be carried out
• MOKSHA मोक्ष - (living one’s life so noble, it relieves himself from the cycle of life and re-birth)
Sanatana Dharma: is based on the ‘Vedic’ philosophies which stresses upon people to spiritually understand who they are. These are some important principles of Sanatana Dharma:
1. KNOWLEDGE - (Gyan-ज्ञान) To know about GOD-(ParamEishwar/Parmeshwar) परमेश्वर that He is:
- BRAHMAN ब्राह्मण - The Supreme Reality: He is the Supreme Being. He is the absolute truth and the
one who is the Supreme manifestation in every living being and non-living material. He is ‘Sat-Chit-Anand Vigrah’, सत्चिदानन्द विग्रह, The eternally blissful, The eternally beautiful, The eternally knowledgeable-सर्व-ज्ञानी and peaceful! He is ‘Omnipresent-सर्व-व्यापी’ and ‘Omnipotent-सर्व-शक्तिमान’
- Param-Aatma परमात्मा- The Supreme Soul: The One who is the only true existence in the Universe.
- BHAGWAN भगवान – The Supreme form of God: The one who can take any form and descends to Earth when His presence is required. He has appeared and will appear in many forms.
2. SCRIPTURES ग्रन्थ : To know, understand and follow the Scriptures of Knowledge: These are the basics of the spirituality of ‘Sanatana Dharma’.
The most important Scriptures are:
- The four Vedas: The Rig-Veda, The Sama-Veda, The Yajur-Veda and the Atharva-Veda!
1. KNOWLEDGE - (Gyan-ज्ञान) To know about GOD-(ParamEishwar/Parmeshwar) परमेश्वर that He is:
- BRAHMAN ब्राह्मण - The Supreme Reality: He is the Supreme Being. He is the absolute truth and the
one who is the Supreme manifestation in every living being and non-living material. He is ‘Sat-Chit-Anand Vigrah’, सत्चिदानन्द विग्रह, The eternally blissful, The eternally beautiful, The eternally knowledgeable-सर्व-ज्ञानी and peaceful! He is ‘Omnipresent-सर्व-व्यापी’ and ‘Omnipotent-सर्व-शक्तिमान’
- Param-Aatma परमात्मा- The Supreme Soul: The One who is the only true existence in the Universe.
- BHAGWAN भगवान – The Supreme form of God: The one who can take any form and descends to Earth when His presence is required. He has appeared and will appear in many forms.
2. SCRIPTURES ग्रन्थ : To know, understand and follow the Scriptures of Knowledge: These are the basics of the spirituality of ‘Sanatana Dharma’.
The most important Scriptures are:
- The four Vedas: The Rig-Veda, The Sama-Veda, The Yajur-Veda and the Atharva-Veda!
- The 'Up-Vedas' उप -वेद
- The Upanishads उपनिषद्, (The Upanishads are one of the four divisions [Khands-खंड] of the Vedas)
- The Yoga-Sutras योग-सूत्र and other Puranic literatures
- The ‘Ramayana’ रामायण
- ‘The Maha-Bharata’ महा-भारत
- ‘The Bhagwad-Gita’ भागवद-गीता /‘Srimad-Bhagwatam’ श्रीमद-भग्वातम! (part of ‘The MahaBharata')
- The Hitopdesh हितोप्देश
- The Puranas पुराण
3. AVATAR अवतार: To know about the reasons for ‘Avatars’ (Incarnations) of The Supreme Being in various eras and forms like The Rama-Avatar रामवतार , The Krishna-Avatar कृष्णावतार , The Nataraja-Avatar नटराजव्तर, The Durga-Avatar दुर्गाव्तार etc.,
4. JEEVA जीव : The Spiritual Soul! To learn that our soul undergoes changes and is a result (or consequence) of our actions in our lifetime. Our soul (the Aatma आत्मा) is eternal and constantly in motion. It changes garb in various life forms depending upon our ‘Karma’ कर्म. The Vedas and other Literatures inspire and encourage us to search, understand and identify our ‘Karma-Kshetra’ कर्म-क्षेत्र (the field of Karma) bearing our circumstances.
5. GYANA ज्ञान : Knowledge! Sanatana Dharma encourages people to constantly seek and acquire
knowledge in every and all fields; such knowledge which should be beneficial to mankind and other forms of life. The knowledge should be spread, shared and taught where ever necessary. It also advises us to discuss and debate about our acquired knowledge with those who are knowledgeable in ‘Sat-sangas’ (communions) सत्संग . This helps us to understand with clarity and depth about the knowledge we have acquired.
This principle created the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ (Teacher-student tradition) and the ‘Guru-kul’ गुरुकुल schooling in ‘Ashrams’ आश्रम. By reading the scriptures and with the guidance of the ‘Guru’ and elders of the family the acquired knowledge is clearer because it is well understood.
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| Guru-Shishya Parampara The Guru-Disciple tradition (गुरु शिष्य परम्परा) |
7. KARMA (कर्म)- Actions! There are four stages of our life’s Karma. These are:
A. ‘Brahmacharya’ ब्रह्म्चर्य– celibacy! This should be maintained until adulthood, till one reaches the secondary stage of Grihastha’
B. ‘Grihastha’ गृहस्थ-Having a family! Following the strict norms of family life is a must. This includes taking
care and attending to all necessities of the spouse, children, elders of the family (including the In-laws) and
fulfilling their requirements to the best of our ability without compromising on Vedic values and principles.
This stage has a huge importance and the ‘Grihastha’ life is compared to an ‘Ashram’ by the Vedas.
C. ‘Vanaprasth-वनप्रस्थ-Hermitage! This is ideally the third stage for a family person. In this stage the person
hands over the reins and responsibilities of family to the next generation and retires to a retreat (hermitage) to
spend his time on meditation and acquiring greater spiritual knowledge.
D. ‘Sanyas’ सन्यास'- Renunciation! This is the final stage of our life’s Karma. Here, the scriptures guide us to
renounce all our material wealth and relations and spend our last days in meditation of God. This stage helps
us in achieving the highest goal – Moksha मोक्ष.
8. DHARMA धर्म : The Duty! (Kindly check the chapter dedicated on 'Dharma' further down)
9. ARTHA अर्थ: The Meaning of Life! The 'essence' of life!
The principles of Artha are probably the most relevant in modern life. Here, the scriptures advise people to
enter ‘Grihastha’ life and generate wealth through honest means and use the wealth for the benefit of mankind and nature and all other living beings and also... Ecology and Environment.
10. MOKSHA मोक्ष: Freedom from the cycle of life, death and re-birth! This can be achieved through ‘Sanyas’ and ‘Yoga’ through transcendental meditation.
Moksha is the ultimate goal of the Sanatana Dharma.
Other Principles in SANATANA DHARMA
- The Santana Dharma is a Vedic ‘way of life’. It is the foundation of our way of life and urges us to search for the reason for our existence
- The soul is eternal. It transmigrates and is in constant state of transition even as it inhabits our body
- The Sanatana Dharma adds the highest value to the Soul. It treats all souls as equals excluding none
- The Sanatana Dharma is the Universal spirit of truth and always endeavors to acquire greater knowledge in search of truth
- All living beings have equal right and must get equal opportunity to live in peace, and co-exist. There are no exclusions. Circumstances not withstanding, people of all skin texture, background, caste, creed etc. have equal rights and equal
- All life forms are part of the eternal truth and they combine to become like one family. All these should be respected.
- The Sanatana Dharma gives right to every individual to his personal choice of the route he/she wishes to practice in order to attain spirituality
- Sanatana Dharma is God-centered rather than prophet-centered
- It is experience based rather than belief based
- Beyond any historical date of founding
- The process of growth, which comes from the seed
- Inherent in, and inclusive of all
- In the world, while above the world
- Both immanent and transcendent
- The whole and the parts
- Loving of all and excluding of none.
DHARMA
The Sanatana Dharma has some guidelines which must be followed:
1. DHRITI धृति *Kindly check below.
2. KSHAMA क्षमा - Forgiveness
3. DHARMA धर्म - In all aspects the Duty must be performed
4. ASTEYA अस्तेय - Refraining from any evil act like stealing, cheating etc.,
5. SOCH सोच - Thought process: It should be positive and full of pious / good thoughts
6. INDRANIGRIH इन्द्रनिगृह - Controlling of all senses
7. AKRODH अक्रोध - Absence of anger
8. DAAN दान - Donations to the needy
9. ARTHA अर्थ - Kindly see below*
10. YOGA योग - Meditation and exercise (medical and physical)
In Sanatana Dharma these are the codes of Conduct:
The YAMAs यम - (for Internal Purity)
- SATYA सत्य (Truth): in every way conceivable
- AHIMSA अहिंसा (Non-violence): Violence should be last resort and used only when all other options have
exhausted
- ASTEYA अस्तेय (Refraining from evil/vices like cheating, thieving etc.,
- BRAHMACHARYA ब्रहमचर्य (Celibacy)
- APARI-GRAH अपरिगृह : No selfish accumulation of wealth or accumulation through improper means
- SWACHCH स्वच्छ (Purity/cleanliness) of Soul
- TAPAS तपस (Austerity)
- SANTOSH संतोष (Satisfaction/Contentment)
- SWA-JAI स्वजय (Study of the Vedic scriptures)
- SNEH स्नेह (Affection and compassion) for all forms of life
The General Principles of Sanatana Dharma
• Sanatana Dharma recognizes that the greater portion of human religious aspiration has always been unknown, undefined, and outside of any institutionalized belief.
• The universal flow of Dharma, regardless of what name you call it, whether Dharma or some other name, has eternally existed. It has been before any of the great teachers were born. It is not better than, or alternative to, but is inclusive of all. Dharma is that out of which our earth and humanity itself emerged. Dharma not only is, but always was, and always will be. To live in alignment with, and to know the true nature of that Sanatana Dharma is one of the ways of describing the higher goal of life.
• Sanatana Dharma comprises of spiritual laws which govern the human existence. Sanatana Dharma is to human life what natural laws are to the physical phenomena. Just as the phenomena of gravitation existed before it was discovered, the spiritual laws of life are eternal laws which existed before they were discovered by the ancient rishis (sages) for the present age during the Vedic period. Sanatana Dharma declares that something cannot come out of nothing and, therefore, the universe itself is the manifestation of the Divine being.
• The world is made up of three tendencies called gunas: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Sattvic tendencies are those that are pure, clean, good, wholesome, calming, and peaceful. Rajasic tendencies are those that are active, moving, indecisive, and forceful. Tamasic tendencies are those that are inert, lazy, dull, and dark. If it were not for these three tendencies, we would not exist. Everything is a mixture of them. Even a saint, who is primarily sattvic, has some level of rajas and tamas in him/her, however small.
• Sanatan Dharma makes use of yoga as the means to attain moksha (God-realization). Yoga has been poorly translated to mean “union”. It does mean “union”, but that is a poor definition because it encompasses so much more. Yoga is the union with Brahman (Absolute God). Yoga is also the means to achieving union with Brahman. Therefore, the word yoga is not merely a statement of union, but it encompasses the actual experience of liberation.
Conclusion:
I wish to have a peaceful and satisfactory life and for that I am working my way there through the path I have chosen. I have chosen the simple route… I follow the principles of Sanatana Dharma.
HARI OM !
~ हरि ॐ ~
~ हरि ॐ ~
This was a humble presentation and I hope it helps you understand the concept of Sanatana Dharma. I am far from being perfect in knowledge so I do have my restrictions in many aspects of the faith I follow. Any comment or query is welcome.
Readers are requested to kindly post their comments. Thank you!
This is very insightful...
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