i still do not really know what Sanatana Dharma is

[Guest guest]

, " Violet "

<violet.tubb wrote:

>

> Dear Jagbir and All,

>

> The Sikh Scripture and understanding that you have given us to read

> is unbelievably beautiful and most spiritually comprehensive, as

> you say. Thank you for bringing this couplet to our attention. i

> still do not really know what Sanatana Dharma is, even though i

> know you have often mentioned it. When we come from the Christian

> background, even though being a Sahaja Yogi, we don't always have

> that Eastern understanding that perhaps Hindus or Sikhs may regard

> as common spiritual knowledge.

>

 

SANATAN DHARMA

Feb 15 2004 6:58AM

 

The meaning of Sanatan is eternal. Vedic Dharma can aptly be defined

as Sanatan Dharma. In English, Dharma is defined by the word

'religion'. But the term religion is incapable to describe the vast

meaning of Dharma. In fact, the spirit of Dharma is so vast that it

includes things related not only to our present incarnation but to

the past and the future incarnations as well.

 

According to the definition given in the scriptures:

 

DHAARNAAT DHARMAH

 

Meaning- Dharma is something that should be borne all the time. Thus,

it is the powerful means that saves us from catastrophe and leads to

evolution. For example, Vedas are not only the means to attain

comfort in metaphysical world but they also show the path to all

round development and prosperity.

 

 

MEANINGS OF SANATAN DHARMA

 

SANAATANASYA DHARMA ITI SANAATAN DHARMAH|

 

Meaning- Sanatan Dharma, as the name suggests owes its inception to

none other than the eternal supreme soul- Brahm. Unlike other

religions such as Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrians and Buddhism

which all clearly show the name of their inceptors like Christ,

Mohammed, Zarthustra and Buddha, Sanatan Dharma boasts its inception

to the supreme soul Himself.

 

All the religions except Sanatan can be classified into two parts-

Pre-historic religions.

Historic Religions.

 

But Sanatan cannot be included in any of these two categories. It

existed even before the birth of other religions and it exists even

today. Sanatan shall exist in future also. History has witnessed the

rise and fall of scores of religions and sects. But, Sanatan has

withstood all kinds of upheavals and oppositions and continues to

exist.

 

Regarding the future of Sanatan, we have to keep in mind that since

it has no beginning hence it will have no end. So, it is beyond the

reach of 'natural-law of change' which states that one which has born

shall inevitably come to an end. There has never been an exception to

this rule nor there shall be one. Even the divine embodiments of

almighty God in physical incarnations had to see their end. Thus,

even the physical embodiment of even the eternal God is not an

exception to this rule.

 

Second meaning:

Sanatan has no beginning and hence no end. It exists right from the

moment of creation of universe to the time of Pralaya (the great

deluge). It is Sanatan not because it owes its inception to the

eternal God but because it is eternal in itself. It shall exist up to

Pralaya and shall not be destroyed even after Pralaya when it will

lie dormant but exist neverthless. With the beginning of new

creation, Sanatan shall rise once again to protect mankind and help

it prosper.

 

But all said and done one should not have a misconception that all

the other religions are false. Every religion guides the human being

to its ultimate goal. But these religions being historic and

propounded by somebody inevitably will see their end, of course

except Sanatan Dharma.

 

Third meaning:

SADA BHAVAH SANAATANAH, SANATANAM KAROTI ITI SANATAN YATI, SANATAN

YATITI SANATANAH|

SANATANASHCHASOU DHARMA ITI SANATAN DHARMAH

 

Sanatan Dharma is eternal not because it owes its inception to the

eternal God. It is eternal not because it is timeless and

indestructible. Sanatan is eternal because it is capable of making

all those who have faith in it eternal by providing them

the 'ultimate knowledge'.

 

To get this point better, let us think a little more deeply and

compare the different nations, which were once super powers at some

point of time in history. Greece, Roman, Syrian, Persian, Macedonian,

Babylonian, Phoenician, Egyptian were the powerful empires that once

held the sway in human history; but none of them exists today. Those

empires had everything- wealth, power and huge armies. But they did

not had the spiritual consciousness to sustain itself for a long

time. And that lack of such a capacity became the cause of their

extermination. But India did have such a capacity and hence its

religion endured every onslaught and exists even today. No doubt,

Sanatan played an important role in keeping our culture alive.

 

Thus, Sanatan has three distinct features.

 

The eternal supreme soul propounded it.

It is eternal in itself.

It is capable of making its followers eternal.

Now a question naturally arises as to what are the traits of the

followers of Sanatan. Let's explore it in the fourth meaning.

 

Fourth meaning:

SANATANAM PARAMATMA SWARUPAM PRAAPYATI ITI|

 

Meaning - The religion that helps us attain union with the eternal

soul is Sanatan. A follower of Sanatan dharma abides to the true-

path and which helps him to unite with the almighty God ultimately.

 

This is the real characteristic of Sanatan, which helped India to

prosper in all walks of life since time immemorial. But now, we are

neglecting it and hence are facing the consequences. Those who

discard religious path are sure to fall. Even God has said regarding

such people:

 

YAH SHASTRA VIDHI MRITASRINYA VARTATE KAAMKAARTAH|

NA SA SIDDHIM VAARNOTI NA SUKHAM NA PARAAMGATIM||

TASMA CHCHHASTRAM PRAMAANAM TE KARYAA KARYAVYA VASTATAU|

GYAATVA SHAASTRA VIDHAANOKTAM PARAM KARTUMIHAARHASI||

 

Meaning - Those who neglect the scriptures and act in whimsical way

neither attain perfection nor any comfort and salvation. O Arjun!

Scriptures dictate the things worth your doing and unworthy of doing.

 

Even Manu says:

 

DHARMA EVA HATO HANTI, DHARMO RAKSHATI RAKSHITAH

 

Meaning - An exterminated religion kills the people ultimately but a

protected religion protects its followers.

 

 

RELIGION AND COMMUNITY

 

There is only one religion. No matter if it has acquired different

names in various parts of the world depending upon circumstances,

culture and tradition but the fact is that it must necessarily

contain all the good qualities capable of giving boost to the

spiritual upliftment of a man and his ultimate salvation. These

diverse elements of virtuosity have been named as religion. Anything

lacking this spirit cannot be called a religion. For example 'warmth'

is the distinctive feature of 'fire'. If fire loses warmth, it is no

more a fire. Similarly, the sun provides light and warmth, if it

loses these properties, it will be no more than a dead star.

Liquidity and coldness are the property of water. Without them, it

will not be water.

 

Human being is the supreme creation of the nature. Our ancient sages,

with the help of their tremendous insight had formulated certain

rules for the society-how a human should live and what should be his

behaviour in the society, etc. A man who doesn't follow any rules and

regulations is not a human. Such a conduct bound by certain norms and

regulations is termed as religion. This very quality of man

(Following the religion) makes him distinct from the animals. By,

instinct man behaves like an animal. Force that checks this fall in

human behaviour is known as religion. It is said that only those

shall live-individual or institution- who follow the religion; those

who do not follow the religion shall be no better than dead despite

having a living body.

 

Let's now consider the difference between the religion. Such as the

soul that is present in a living body is eternal, similarly the

religion is also eternal. That is why it came to be known as eternal.

Thus, religion has no end. But all the different sects or communities

that exist today were established by people in divine incarnations

according to the needs of the time. But, basically all the religions

are same despite their distinct rituals.

 

 

DHARMA or RELIGION

 

Dharma is the spirit of humanity.

Dharma is the heart to feel humanity.

Dharma is the examiner and investigator of the spiritual faiths.

Dharma investigates the reasons for creation.

Dharma shows the relation between the regulations and regulator of

the creation.

Dharma helps one for introspection.

Dharma is culture.

Dharma is knowledge.

Dharma is fortune and salvation.

Dharma provides eternity.

 

Sanjay

www.harrycr.sulekha.com/blog/post/2004/02/sanatan-dharma.htm

 

 

deva sahayi comments: on Feb 15 2004 11:00PM

 

One who has recognized the truth that the same Atma exists in all, is

always in union with God and experiences Divine bliss, be it a

renunciant or a householder, and whether one follows the path of

action or not. Merely going through the Vedas and sacred texts or

listening to the discourses cannot understand the principle of Atma.

Just as a gigantic tree originates from a tiny seed, so also the

entire universe has its origin in the principle of Atma