Dharma is often translated into English as "duty," or "religious duty" though the word actually has a deeper meaning. Coming from Sanskrit "Sanatana" has multiple meanings such as eternal, without beginning and everlasting. Sanatana Dharma is roughly translated to mean "the original, natural, and eternal occupation."
What is Sanatana Dharma?
Sanatana Dharma refers to duties that encompass a person's identity as a living spirit soul (atman) and is therefore applicable to everyone regardless of caste and creed. According to this universal code, the natural inclination of the atman is to perform service (seva) to God. Sanatana Dharma also refers to the laws of karma and reincarnation.
Sanatana Dharma is non-sectarian and offers a useful code of conduct for everybody. Any religion or way of life that encourages spiritual enquiry follows the principles of Sanatana Dharma. Possibly the earliest record in the Vedic scriptures is in the Rigveda, where the sages saw all living and non-living beings as important, while also being pervaded by a higher consciousness.
There are four divisions of social life (sometimes referred to as the caste system) and four orders of self-realization. Adherents are advised to accept a voluntary life of renunciation in order to achieve the desired goal of life. Sanatana Dharma is believed to break the chain of perpetual birth and death; by eliminating the tendency for sense gratification, and reviving the dormant love of God.
The Origin of the Term "Hindu"
The term 'Hindu' came from the Sindhu river and Muslims used it to refer to the land and the people who lived on that side of the river. It is likely people used the term to differentiate themselves from the Muslims (Yavannas.) In the 19th century the 'ism' was added to 'Hindu' by British colonialism. Therefore the reasons for the term are political and geographical as well as cultural.
Basic Principles of Sanatana Dharma
To understand and live in alignment with the nature of Sanatana Dharma is one of the ways of achieving union with God (also called yoga.) The spiritual experience is emphasized rather than any particular religious ritual; this may explain the multitude of different ways that adherents follow their religion.
Followers realize that this universe is an expansion of the energies of God. Dharma is the path to seeing God is everywhere, and a liberated person doesn't strive for liberation, or in going back to God in the spiritual world. The self-realized person feels God's presence everywhere and is keen to preach this Dharma to help others get free from materialistic life by forming a relationship with God.
Sanatana Dharma maintains that spiritual laws are eternal and existed prior to their discovery thousands of years ago. These spiritual laws apply to everyone - whether they believe in them or not. A good example is the law of gravity or that fire will burn anyone regardless of who they are.
The material world is made up of three qualities (gunas):
- sattvic;
- rajasic; and
- tamasic.
Sattvic can be translated to mean good or pure, while Rajasic is passionate, active and forceful. Tamasic qualities can be described as lazy, dull and full of ignorance. All living beings have a mixture of these three gunas, though usually leaning towards one quality. Choosing a sattvic lifestyle can help an individual focus on spiritual life.
Vedic Scriptures and Sanatana Dharma
Yoga is the method to attain realization of God (moksha) and the following quote from the Bhagavat Purana makes it clear that this Dharma is monotheistic:
"That duty no doubt is for mankind the highest, of which there is the causeless, uninterrupted devotional service unto Krishna as the One in the Beyond (Vishnu) that leads to the full satisfaction of the soul." Bhagavat Purana 1.2.6
Sanatana Dharma is an eternal religion that is not limited to the teaching of any particular people or any type of worship. Most Hindus believe in one God, who is unlimited and represented by the various deities which are part and parcel of him. Existence in the material world is a chain of birth, death, and rebirth, governed by an individual's actions (karma.) The Vedic scriptures do not mention the word 'Hindu' but do discuss dharma, that is best translated as "code of conduct." Thus it can include all faiths, rituals and customs creating unity in diversity.
Sources:
BBC.co.uk. Hinduism at a Glance (Accessed August 2, 2011).
Hinduism.iskcon.org. Sanatana-dharma (Accessed August 1, 2011).
Srimadbhagavatam.org. Canto 1 - Chapter 2 (Accessed August 2, 2011).
Veda.wikidot.com. Sanatana Dharma (Accessed August 2, 2011).
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