Sanatana Dharma meaning – Sanatana Dharma roughly translates to eternal religion. Which is not completely true. Hinduism or sanatana dharma has been a topic of discussion in the news and podcasts, Ever wondered what the real Sanatana dharma meaning is? People believe that religion translate to dharma in Sanskrit. However, there is no proper translation for religion in Sankrit.
Dharma means duty or righteousness, not religion.
Hinduism or Sanatana dharma is not a religion but a set of eternal morals and ethical values which our ancestors had set for a human to lead a happy life. It is based upon the common principles of honesty, non-violence, purity, kindness, forgiveness, self-control, generosity, and spiritual austerities. These universal virtues are applicable to all Hindus regardless of their class, sect, caste or gender. However these days there are a lot of misconceptions on our Hinduism and Gods, So in this post we are dealing with the basic principles that Hinduism is based on to understand the real Sanatana dharma meaning.
Who is God? Do you believe in God?
It’s a question that has echoed through the corridors of time, sparking debates, inspiring devotion, and challenging the very essence of existence. Who is God? The creator, the almighty force behind the cosmos, the essence that permeates every corner of our reality.
Yet, with the mention of God comes a perennial inquiry: Who created God? It’s a puzzle that has perplexed scholars and seekers alike for centuries. If God is eternal, omnipresent, without a beginning or end, then where does the concept of creation even fit? Is it possible to comprehend a being beyond birth or predecessor?
If we dare to entertain the notion of an eternal, uncreated God, then we’re confronted with a profound realization: perhaps the universe itself needs no creator. Maybe existence, in all its splendor and complexity, is self-sustaining, an enigma unto itself. With all these confusions going around the corner it often becomes very difficult to lead a life based on the principles of Hinduism and understand the actual sanatana dharma meaning which is present behind the scriptures.
“Who knows for certain? Who shall here declare it? Whence was it born, whence came creation? The gods are later than this world's formation; Who then can know the origins of the world? None knows whence creation arose; And whether he has or has not made it; He who surveys it from the lofty skies. Only he knows- or perhaps he knows not.” - Rigveda
Sanatana dharma meaning
Now, let’s turn our gaze towards the rich tapestry of Hinduism, a spiritual tradition that weaves together lot of perspectives on the nature of God and existence.
If I ask what religion do you follow ,
One might say a muslim ,christian or a hindu.
Ok.
On what basis do you define the identity?
You say a on basis of scripture
If You are muslim you adhere to principles of quran, if you are christian you follow bible,
But what do you follow to be a hindu or put it simply what it means to be a hindu, what is the sanatana dharma meaning
Hinduism defies easy categorization; it is not merely a religion but a way of life, embracing diversity and accommodating a spectrum of beliefs and practices.
In our exploration of Hindu thought, we encounter a kaleidoscope of philosophies, each offering its own interpretation of the nature of God. From the monistic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, which proclaim the ultimate reality as non-dual Brahman, to the dualistic traditions of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, where devotees worship personal deities such as Vishnu and Shiva, Hinduism presents a multifaceted approach to the divine
What does the vedas consists of?
As we explore Indian philosophy, we come across the Vedas, which are ancient scriptures considered sacred. There are four Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Each Veda has four parts.
In our quest to understand the sanatana dharma meaning, we encounter the four parts of Vedas
- Samhitas – contains hymns and prayers praising the divine
- Brahmanas – talks about rituals and practices for performing yagnas and pujas ( not to be confused with the caste , it is believed the people who adhered to these practices eventually got the name )
- Aranyakas – discusses rituals for those living in forests, emphasizing solitude and reflection.
- Upanishads – philosophical writings, which define the way of life
Understanding upanishads
The most important part of the Vedas are the Upanishads. They define the way of life and are extremely important to understand the real Sanatana dharma meaning. They are also known as Vedanta, meaning the “end of Vedas.” In the Upanishads, seekers ponder deep questions about life, consciousness, and God.
In the lingo of genz, upanishads are the OG of philosophy
There are many theories regarding the author of vedas , for instance some say vedas are written by veda vyasa , some say veda vyasa compiled them. Some say that god himself wrote it and some say that vedas are eternal that existed from the birth of creation (Mimmansa , a vedic school of thought which doesnot believe in the concept of creator )
veda vyasa is not a single person but a lineage of sages
Swamy Vivekananda
Reality of Astika and Nastika in Hinduism
The Nastikas – Jainism, Buddhism and Chakravas
In the realm of Indian philosophy, three major Nastika (heterodox) schools emerged: Buddhism, Jainism, and Charvaka. These schools diverged from the traditional Vedic teachings and formulated their own distinct philosophical frameworks. Nastikas in ancient India doesn’t degrade the existance of God and engage in disagreement with the other sector, they in reality believe in the principles and the ways of life to be the greatest source of power rather than worshipping figure.
The Astikas
On the other hand the astikas on the other hand believe in the concept of creation and uphold that the Vedas as their core foundation. These schools developed in response to the Nastika philosophies, offering alternative interpretations and commentaries on Vedic teachings.
- Nyaya
- Sankhya
- Yoga
- Vaisheshika
- Purva Mimansa
- Uttara Mimansa
These six Astika philosophy collectively called as Hindu Philosophy. These six schools of thought are the real Sanatana Dharma meaning.
