Is hinduism a culture of living more than just a religion. People that practice hinduism read holy books called vedas, or the vedic texts. Jun 18, 20 the santana dharma was pure vedic religion prior to the existence of the present day hinduism. Santana dharma does not mean every aspect of hinduism is eternal or indestructible. The teachings of hinduism were passed down from generation to generation in the form of vedas. If there is any distinction, then in my opinion it would be that sanatana dharma refers to the religion of the vedas and ancillary texts like upanishads, brahmanas, itihasas, puranas, pancharatra agamas, etc, whereas hinduism refers to all the indian religions and sects that is not buddhism, jainism, sikhism, or any other organized religion. In the times of rama who came much before lord krishna existed dharma and only dharma. Today, sanatana dharma is associated only with hinduism. Different texts give different lists of the duties, but in general sanatana dharma consists of virtues such as. It is a code of ethics, a way of living through which one may achieve moksha enlightenment, liberation.
Jul 15, 2014 it is true we have hundreds of holy books unlike other religions. For both groups of authors, sanatana dharma is not a living tradition meant to be practiced and experienced, but a tool to achieve material success. Vedas and other holy books of sanatana dharma do not prohibit anything. A religious, philosophical, and cultural tradition that developed in india with the composition of the vedas, characterized by belief in a supreme being. For his followers this came to mean eternal souls service to god krishna.
Your definition of religion or english definition of religion is not in accordance with. Gods like shiva, vishnu are gods for all people and they are not exclusive to certain country or religion. What is the basis behind indias ancient system of sanatan dharma. The underlying reality referred to by the term sanatana dharma is actually eternal, and thus is beyond any reference to the first usage of the term, or to any. Traditionally sanatan dharma signifies the dynamic sum of all the knowledge of all the diverse traditions of bharat mata, or greater hindusthan, if you will, since the beginning of time. The sanatana dharma that is the subject of this book is necessarily an everliving and eternal sanatana dharma. In terms of humans and higher entities, dharma is also used in reference to any set of moral and religious laws and principles that govern religious duty and human conduct upon earth. Hinduism was not a religion founded by any one person. Buddhism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. Santana dharma synonyms, santana dharma pronunciation, santana dharma translation, english dictionary definition of santana dharma.
Feb 28, 2017 because hinduism is so open and diverse it can be difficult to actually define what it actually is. Hinduism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. No one knows how this name came to be associated with hinduism. The vedas and these other works are further divided into two sections. Can hinduism be considered as a santuary for spiritual people.
Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practised in the indian subcontinent and parts of southeast asia. Santana dharma article about santana dharma by the free. Even if you read only tirukkural and follow it you will be the greatest hindu. But even so, religious duties or conduct have only been prescribed in the context of the four varnas.
The word sanatana dharma is not mentioned in the vedas. I have found that the youngsters, the age group between 2035, are quite curious and want to know more about hinduism. Dharma is often translated as duty, religion or religious duty, but has a deeper. Many people do not really know what dharma means and why hinduism is called sanatana dharma. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. So, santana dharma is moreover way of life than religion.
Among other topics, about 116 categories, i write more on hinduism, the name given to santana dharma by the west. To educate people regarding truth and to remove false belief, fabrications, myths that have haunted and degraded hinduism, to tell the exact meaning behind evey traditions and festivals accordingto hindu holy scriptures. Because hinduism is so open and diverse it can be difficult to actually define what it actually is. The holy books in hinduism are there only for guidance. Such a global projection of sanatana dharma does not deny the importance of hinduism as central to india, its culture, its past and its future. Santana dharma definition of santana dharma by the free. Some of the other holy works and books of hinduism are stories and epic poems. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Perhaps hinduism should be called satdharma instead of.
For a hindu unacquainted with the rudiments of sanatana dharma, this book will not only enlighten but also breathe meaning to the practices and beliefs he or she follows for those curious about hinduism the book will serve to inform and also facilitate in gaining a better understanding of hinduism. May 05, 2016 the sanatan dharma, on the other hand, is not overly concerned with ideas and belief. The santana dharma was pure vedic religion prior to the existence of the present day hinduism. The essence of it all can be summed up in tat tvam asi thou art that. Such a master was pujyasri chandrasekharendra sarasvati swami who has in the discourses constituting this book given an illuminating account of. Hinduism beliefs and impressions introduction, sanatana. Sanatana dharma do not denote to a creed like christianity or islam, but. And they do not want to hear the answer that things are what they are in hinduism and one should follow it. It was a lifestyle that flourished in ancient indian subcontinent thousands of years ago, which later took the form of what is known today as hinduism. On the other hand presentday, hinduism pursues santana dharma however there is no clearness as to our objectives since we would prefer not to know. Dharma is also used in reference to any set of moral and religious laws and principles.
Our scriptures affirm that our primary duty upon earth is to assist god. Not just hindus, but all beings in creation, including animals, deities, gods, and rest of humanity, share this duty. Most interesting facts about hinduism sanatana dharma. Is it stated in the vedas or in any other holy book of. Hinduism has no founder hindu religion has no founder or origin thats why it is known as sanatana dharma. Sanatana dharma, in hinduism, term used to denote the eternal or absolute. Sanatana dharma is the original name of hinduism that is based on the vedas. Hinduism is an indian religion and dharma, or way of life, widely practiced in the indian.
Karma in hinduism hinduism wiki fandom powered by wikia. The terms hindu and hinduism are said to be a more recent development, while the more accurate term is sanatana dharma. Sanatan dharma is is the original name of what is now popularly called hinduism or hindu dharma. It was the way of life of the people living in the indian subcontinent, across the sindh river. The vedic spiritual paths to salvation by stephen knapp there are four basic paths that are recommended within the vedic system.
It has not at all been mentioned in the vedas or other authoritative scriptures. Sanatana dharma, in hinduism, term used to denote the eternal or absolute set of duties or religiously ordained practices incumbent upon all hindus, regardless of class, caste, or sect. May 26, 2012 sanatana dharma, an advanced text book of hindu religion and ethics classic reprint benares, india on. The causality is said to be applicable not only to the material world but also to our thoughts. It simply means eternal law or characteristic of human beings. In fact santana dharma is not a religion but our eternal relationship with god. Sanatanadharma, being transcendental, refers to universal and axiomatic laws that are beyond our temporary belief systems. Those who do not like the name hinduism prefer to call it sanatana dharma.
Hinduism does not have a single founder, messenger or prophet and therefore its date. There is nothing eternal about this world, which is transient and destructible. It was certainly not a popular name until the last few decades, or at the most a century. This video describes how it is not really a religion, but a dynamic culture founded on eternal. To be precise, hinduism itself is a dharma but not simply religion. Here is why hinduism is actually called sanatana dharma. If hindu is a collective term then surely buddhism, jainism, zoroastrianism and sikhism are hindus if hinduism never existed before the term was coinedcounts as different religions. They explain what is dharma and what is adharma, and how to apply the concepts in the various possible situations, and explain the connection between action and reaction or consequence. The majority of the vedas are considered the shruti, which is translated to that which is hard. As a religion or as a body of religious knowledge, beliefs and practices, hinduism is. Traditionally, hinduism is known as sanatana dharma, meaning eternal duty.
The term hindu in these ancient records is a geographical term and did not refer to a. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Is hinduism not a religion why is it called sanatana dharma. What is wrong in santana dharma being called as hinduism.
The minute we need clarity well put endeavors to do as such and pursue what santana dharma says. As a religion or as a body of religious knowledge, beliefs and practices, hinduism is neither eternal nor constant. Here is why hinduism is actually called sanatana dharma by manjeet in ancient times, persians called people living on the bank of sindhu river as hindu because they lacked sa syllable in their language and pronunciation, and mixed with ha syllable, thus called hindu instead of sindhu. We have divided the articles of sanatana dharma in to two categories 1. Hindus prefer to call their religion as sanatana dharma. This duty of god is shared, not just by hindus, but by all beings in creation, including gods and the rest of the humanity. The term hindu does not find mention in ancient literatures. The science behind sanatan dharma sadhguru youtube. Most adherents prefer to call their tradition sanatanadharma rather than using the more recent term, hinduism, which they consider has sectarian connotations. Santana dharma is not circumscribed by the confines of a single country. Karma is a concept in hinduism which explains causality through a system where beneficial effects are derived from past beneficial actions and harmful effects from past harmful actions, creating a system of actions and reactions throughout a souls reincarnated lives forming a cycle of rebirth. The terms hindu and hinduism are said to be a more recent development, while. If you are looking for a single hinduism holy book like the quran or the bible you will be disappointed.
Perhaps hinduism should be called sat dharma instead of sanatana dharma when iskcon founder srila prabhupada came to the west he used to say that he didnt preach hinduism but sanatana dharma. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives. Sanatana dharma is based on vedas and vedas can be read by all 7 billion people on earth. Shyam ananda, serious student of vedic texts for the last 25 years. I identify as a buddhist and i know many western buddhists who came from a judaic background or christian background. Hinduism in other words is defined as sanatana dharma. Let explain this sanatana is a word which means eternal. Sanatana dharma has become a synonym for the eternal truth and. I like vallalar and bharathiar a lot and what they say about hinduism santana dharma. One of the oldest living religions in the world, hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it had no single founder but grew over a period of 4,000 years in syncretism with the religious and cultural movements of the indian subcontinent. So, it has no founder no single book to be called equivalent to god. Hindus believe in one god expressed in different forms. Where the vedas gave a foundation for the direction of hinduism, the upanishads filled in the gaps.
These books are collection of spiritual laws, discovered by rishis. Unlike christianity or islam, it is a not a religion that is governed by the book. Jun 28, 2017 to counter such attempts to limit hinduism and to bring its teachings out for the benefit of all, we need a revival of hinduism as sanatana dharma, the eternal or universal tradition, for the entire planet. Hinduism is neither monotheistic nor restricted to one religious scripture. What is the difference between sanatan dharma and hinduism as arya samaj does not want to be a part of sanatan dharma but still follows the vedas. An author with the name sanatani is mentioned by udayana. Yajur veda mantras and benedictions to be used during ceremonies. But read at least one book in full and stick to it. Generally, atheism is valid in hinduism, but the path of the atheist is viewed as very difficult to follow in matters of spirituality. Out of that sanatana dharma emerged modern hinduism, buddhism, jainism and sikhism, while significantly effecting many other religions or traditions, which also followed much later.