NEW DELHI: Some say it’s a Sanskritised name for the Hindu religion, some consider it an ancient value-based way of life, some despise it as an enabler of Hindutva, and others think it is a disease that must be wiped out from the face of the Earth? Why does ‘Sanatan Dharma’ continue to evade a common understanding?
The answer lies in who is interpreting this phase, and confusion stems from the differing understanding of the word ‘dharma’.
The phrases came into focus after Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin’s minister son Udhayanidhi compared Sanatan Dharma with dengue, malaria and coronavirus, and called for its abolishment, kicking up a political storm which now tests the unity of newly-formed INDIA opposition alliance.
Dharma is generally referred to a structured religion or religious duties as mandatory in the scriptures of established monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or Judaism. But in the context of Hinduism or Hindu dharma, it has a different connotation.
The term Dharma can be traced to Sanskrit ‘Dhri-dhatoo’ which literally means: to sustain or hold or which is integral to something.
READ MORE: Explainer: Politics behind Stalin’s ‘eradicate Sanatan Dharma’ vow
Famous Vipassana meditation teacher and spiritual guru SN Goenka, in recorded sessions that are used to teach learners, says the true English translation of the word dharma would be ‘nature’ or ‘something that is natural’. “The dharma of sugar is to sweeten, the dharma of fire is to burn or the dharma of river is to flow and that of air is to blow,” he believes.
So what does it mean for human beings?
Our dharma consists of certain duties which make his/her life meaningful. Thus dharma is the unchangeable nature of human beings irrespective of any religious affiliation.
Thousands of years before the term Hindu or Hinduism came into existence, the term ‘Sanatana Dharma’ finds reference in Vedas, which is considered the oldest literature in the world.
Sanatan Dharma is a Sanskrit term that can be translated as ‘eternal religion’ or ‘eternal law’, ‘unshakeable, venerable order’, or ‘ancient and continuing guideline’. The word ‘Sanatan’ translates to eternal, and the word ‘dharma’ comes from duty, religion, or religious duty. Therefore, the term, Sanatan Dharma, alludes to something that is eternally integral to a living entity.
Sanatan Dharma is said to exist for about 6,000 years. Hinduism is basically a modern adaptation of Sanatan Dharma, which is the oldest spiritual tradition known to humankind.
READ MORE: Under fire, Stalin Jr says BJP twisted his anti-Sanatan Dharma remark
The term Hindu does not find mention in ancient literature like Vedas and Puranas. It was coined by Persians to mean people living beside the river Sindhu. Before Persians gave Indians the name Hindu, the geographical territory was known as Aryavarata.
When Greek conqueror Alexander invaded this part of the world, Greeks used the term ‘Indu’ instead of ‘Hindu’ to denote people living in this territory, which was later called ‘India’ and its inhabitants as Indian.
Later during the 19th century ‘Hindu’ became recognised as a Hindu religion engulfing the people of India and the Sanatan Dharma.
Sanatan-Dharma consists of duties that are typically spiritual in nature. Although it is difficult to define it objectively, it refers to atman or spirit and thus cannot vary from person to person. The emphasis is on the eternal or intrinsic inclination of human beings which is to do service as desired by God and without expecting anything in return.
It prescribes the eternal practices and duties like honesty, purity, non-violence, self-restraint, etc. that human beings should follow irrespective of birth root, for a happy and purposeful life. The practices include virtues like honesty, goodwill, patience, and generosity.
Following this code allows one to reach moksha — a state of spiritual liberation that is an integral part of Sanatan Dharma — self-knowledge and enlightenment.
Some of the principles and practices also include Yoga, Rebirth, Karma, Paap Punya etc.
According to Sanatan Dharma, all the creations of nature and deities share the responsibility of pursuing eternal duty and following moral and spiritual principles that guide one’s conduct on this planet and determine one’s religious duties.
It is believed that the concept of Sanatan Dharma was first spoken by Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and is also registered in Atharva Veda.
The Bhagavad Gita also confirms that Lord Krishna had instructed the Science of Sanatan Dharma millions of years ago to Vivasvan, the demigod of the Sun. Krishna also instructed the same to Arjuna, once again on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
It is also included in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. However, of all the holy books, the sacred text of Bhagavad Gita is considered to contain its most essential revelations. Its principles based on based on the collection of spiritual laws discovered by Rishis thousands of years ago and prescribes certain duties that a human being must perform to achieve fulfilment in life.
Critics have long complained about the unfair social system and poor social justice in Sanatan Dharma. However, its proponents believe that Sanatana Dharma is without sectarian or ideological divisions.
The social structure in Sanatan Dharma was based on the Varna system, which divided society into four varnas or groups — Brahmana (priests/spiritual guides), Kshatriya (kings/administrators), Vaisya (merchants), and Shudra (workers) depending upon their individual nature and inclinations.
The original purpose of the varna system was to ensure that people get what they deserve. Unlike what is believed today, the varna could change and there is enough evidence in the scriptures. The scriptures recommend that one’s varna or caste is ascertained by his guna (nature) and activities and not solely by the assessment of his birth.
The Varna system categorises individuals on the basis of their qualities and ensures the same duties and privileges, which ensures ‘equal treatment for equals’ promoting social justice.
According to Sadhguru, Sanatan Dharma means an eternal religion that will always be relevant. This is the only culture that allows us this freedom: we can choose our own God – a man God, woman God, animal God, and tree God – whatever we want. This is known as Ishta Devata, which means a God of our own choice.