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 of describing 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
DHARMA
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 of attaining comfort in a metaphysical world but they
also show the path to all round development and prosperity.
MEANINGS
OF SANATAN DHARM
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
religions except Sanatan can be classified into two parts-
But Sanatan cannot be
included in any of these two categories. It existed even before the birth of
other religions and it exists 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 from the
moment of creation of the 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 nevertheless, exist. 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.
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
-
A exterminated religion kills the people ultimately but a protected religion
protects its followers.
RELIGION
AND COMMUNITY
There
is only one religion. Nomatter 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.
DHARM or
RELIGION