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What is the meaning of the term Sanatan Dharma

prasad1

Active member
People have been using the term very freely. The majority of Hindus think it is synonymous with the word Hinduism. But I contend that it is not so.
The prevailing opinion is:

Sanatan Dharma is often considered synonymous with Hinduism. However, it is sometimes viewed as a broader concept that goes beyond the specific religious practices or sects of what is called Hinduism today. The term "Sanatan Dharma" translates to "eternal law" or "universal law" and is used to refer to the universal set of moral and ethical principles that apply to all conscious beings in the universe, irrespective of time and space. The word "Sanatan" means eternal (without beginning or end), and "Dharma" means that which holds together or the moral code that governs life.

Why is Sanatan Dharma linked to Hinduism?

1. Timeless Nature: Sanatan Dharma is often seen as the fundamental and eternal order that governs the universe. It is not a religion in the conventional sense, but more of a universal law or a code of conduct that has always existed and will continue to exist. Hinduism, as it is known today, is one expression of this eternal truth, encompassing various philosophies, practices, and beliefs that evolved from it over time.

2. The Vedas as the Foundation: Sanatan Dharma is closely linked to the teachings found in the Vedas, which are considered the most ancient scriptures of Hinduism. These texts are believed to document the eternal truths revealed to sages and rishis through deep meditation and spiritual insight. The Vedas and other texts like the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Puranas are central to understanding and practicing Sanatan Dharma.

3. Hinduism as a Regional Term: The term "Hinduism" emerged from the geographical association with the Indus River region, and later became a term used by outsiders to describe the people and culture of the Indian subcontinent. Sanatan Dharma, however, is seen as the universal truth underlying the different paths of spiritual practice within this cultural framework. Hence, some Hindus believe that Hinduism is merely a regional name for the practices rooted in Sanatan Dharma.

Sanatan Dharma is not limited to religious rituals but extends to a way of life that governs every aspect of human existence—how one should live, interact with others, and understand the nature of the universe. It emphasizes values such as truth (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), compassion, and respect for all living beings. These principles are not arbitrary but are believed to be divinely ordained, revealed through scriptures and spiritual practices over millennia.

Differences in Interpretation

While many Hindus believe that Sanatan Dharma and Hinduism are essentially the same, some may see them as distinct. They might argue that while Hinduism refers to the specific set of practices, rituals, and sects that emerged in the Indian subcontinent, Sanatan Dharma refers to the eternal and universal truths that transcend any specific culture or region. In this view, Sanatan Dharma is a broader, more inclusive concept that encompasses not just Hinduism but also other spiritual traditions that align with universal truths, such as Buddhism or Jainism.

In summary, Sanatan Dharma is considered the eternal, universal law governing the cosmos and human conduct, and Hinduism is viewed by many as the cultural and religious manifestation of that eternal truth, grounded in ancient scriptures like the Vedas. For Hindus, these eternal laws form the foundation of their spiritual practices and worldviews, and they are seen as timeless principles that apply to all conscious beings.

In my opinion, Sanatan Dharma has nothing to do with the present-day Hinduism. Sanatan Dharma is like the universal law, whereas Hinduism has some customs and traditions, depending on Place and time. There is nothing permanent in Hinduism, it is ever-evolving.

 

Why Hinduism or Hindutva are not Sanatan Dharma: Vedant Guru Acharya Prashant explains​


 
Whatever is termed, coined as 'Hinduism', be it religion or way of life or whatever, is it universal in nature?

Does it deserve, befit, merit the status 'Universal Law'? If Yes, how? Corroborate.

What is the guarantee that people of other religions will not claim that their religion is the only one that merits the 'Sanatan' status, certificate, credit or whatever!!!!!!

What if a christian claims, 'our religion is truly sanatan. yours is not'?

Likewise, a muslim, a buddhist, a jain, a sikh, shintoist, zoroasterist etc may/can/might/could/would claim that theirs is indeed the only religion universal in nature and hence deserves the certificate 'Sanatana Dharma'. Wouldn't/Couldn't they?
 
Anything that claims 'Universal' status, must be inclusive, must not be exclusive.

Is Hinduism inclusive? If Yes, why non-hindus are not permitted in hindu temples?

Are the religious practices among the different castes in hinduism uniform, homogeneous? If the answer is NO, then how does Hinduism claim Universal i.e. Sanatan status?
 
A question which I humble request everyone to ask his or her own self, "Is it because I am born in Hinduism, Hinduism is Universal and hence great? Had I not been born in Hinduism, had I been born a christian or muslim or jain or sikh or buddhist, would I still ascribe the 'Sanatan' status to Hinduism? Or would I have claimed the religion in which I was born as 'Sanatan/Universal', for the mere fact that I was born into that religion?

Did I choose to be born in the religion in which I am born? Was it my choice? Did God, before sending me in to this world, presented before me a menu of religions and ask me which religion I wish to be born into, and I having researched all religions, eventually chose whatever I thought best as Sanatan, and hence God created me into that religion?

Or,

Were I conditioned and programmed or brain-washed to assume, to think and to claim that whichever religion I was born into, merely because it was I, not others, was born into that religion, as Universal/Sanatan?
 
Any Tom, Dick or Harry, Any Krishna, Rama or Siva, any Abdul, Ahmed or Ajiz, Any kuppuswamy, karuppuswamy or vellaichamy, can enter a church any time, anywhere and make any prayer silently, without disturbing others, regardless of your religious affilliation.

I found the following written in Bible:
"Come unto me ALL who are heavy laden and burdened and I shall give you rest"
"The one who comes to me, I will by NO MEANS cast out"
"When the Son of Man comes, He will draw ALL unto Himself"
"Enter into thy closet (need not go to any church or place of worship, need not convert to christianity), shut the door and pray to thy heavenly Father in secret...."

Anyone can visit Gurudwara and after worship you will be provided free food.

I don't know about other places of worship.
 
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And I forgot one thing, any woman, even during her periods, is permitted in a church and not forbidden.
Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with, absolutely nothing to do with, honestly nothing to do with any rules in Sabarimala.
 
Any Tom, Dick or Harry, Any Krishna, Rama or Siva, any Abdul, Ahmed or Ajiz, Any kuppuswamy, karuppuswamy or vellaichamy, can enter a church any time, anywhere and make any prayer silently, without disturbing others, regardless of your religious affilliation.

I found the following written in Bible:
"Come unto me ALL who are heavy laden and burdened and I shall give you rest"
"The one who comes to me, I will by NO MEANS cast out"
"When the Son of Man comes, He will draw ALL unto Himself"
"Enter into thy closet (need not go to any church or place of worship, need not convert to christianity), shut the door and pray to thy heavenly Father in secret...."

Anyone can visit Gurudwara and after worship you will be provided free food.

I don't know about other places of worship.


Gam Ki Elech b'gay Tzalmavet
Lo Irah rah ki atah imadi
Shivtecha omishantecha hemah y'nachamuni
גַּם כִּי-אֵלֵךְ
בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת
לֹא-אִירָא רָע
כִּי-אַתָּה עִמָּדִי

שִׁבְטְךָ וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ
הֵמָּה יְנַחֲמֻנִי

Translation:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.


Psalm 23
 
And I forgot one thing, any woman, even during her periods, is permitted in a church and not forbidden.
Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with, absolutely nothing to do with, honestly nothing to do with any rules in Sabarimala.
ok..noted.
Even in Gurudwaras its the same.
 
I was watching a discussion in one of the Indian Sattellite TV channels about hindu temple customs, rules and regulations.

There was a small group of audience and one among them was an ISKCONite, a foreigner, who joined ISKCON, converted to hinduism from christianity and spends his life as an ISKCON swamiji. He was like every ISKCONite wearing the ISKCON uniform dress, Orange coloured robes, Orange colored dhoti in panchakacham, orange colored kurta.

Although he was an ISKCONite, a convert to hinduism, a practising vaishnavite, he was denied entry into puri jagannath temple for the mere fact that he was of christian origin.

Is it Sanatan, to deny a practising vaishnavite entry into puri jagannath temple?

Is it written in any hindu scripture that people of other religions, although converts to hinduism, must be denied entry into hindu temples, must be forbidden from entering a hindu temple?
 
I was watching a discussion in one of the Indian Sattellite TV channels about hindu temple customs, rules and regulations.

There was a small group of audience and one among them was an ISKCONite, a foreigner, who joined ISKCON, converted to hinduism from christianity and spends his life as an ISKCON swamiji. He was like every ISKCONite wearing the ISKCON uniform dress, Orange coloured robes, Orange colored dhoti in panchakacham, orange colored kurta.

Although he was an ISKCONite, a convert to hinduism, a practising vaishnavite, he was denied entry into puri jagannath temple for the mere fact that he was of christian origin.

Is it Sanatan, to deny a practising vaishnavite entry into puri jagannath temple?

Is it written in any hindu scripture that people of other religions, although converts to hinduism, must be denied entry into hindu temples, must be forbidden from entering a hindu temple?
I too feel that we should not stop anyone from entering any Abode of God.

You may require everyone entering a Temple to adhere to the customs and traditions of that Temple.

Some temples that are private property may be even more restrictive. The Zoroastrian Fire temple is exclusive to people born into that religion. Similarly, the Mormon Church limits entry only to members of that church. I am sure there is a restriction in Mecca.
 
I too feel that we should not stop anyone from entering any Abode of God.

You may require everyone entering a Temple to adhere to the customs and traditions of that Temple.

Some temples that are private property may be even more restrictive. The Zoroastrian Fire temple is exclusive to people born into that religion. Similarly, the Mormon Church limits entry only to members of that church. I am sure there is a restriction in Mecca.
The question here is, a religion which is exclusive, which is not inclusive, which permits only its followers to enter its place of worship, which forbids others from entering into its place of worship, which denies entry to whoever does not belong to it, such a religion, how does it claim to be Sanatana Dharma?
 
The practice in Religion A is, only its followers can enter its place of worship.

The scripture of another Religion B says, "God does not live in temples made of men's hands.", "Even heaven and heaven of heaven cannot contain the glory of God. How can a temple made of men's hands contain the glory of God", "Your body is the temple of God. So glorify God in your body. Do not defile your body", "Whoever (any race, any color, any ethnicity, any background, any continent, any country, any language group, any profession, any financial status, etc etc) asks God to give him or her the spirit of God, God will most gladly give. Only believe"

Of these two, which one merits the Sanatan status, Religion A or Religion B?
 
I too feel that we should not stop anyone from entering any Abode of God.

You may require everyone entering a Temple to adhere to the customs and traditions of that Temple.

Some temples that are private property may be even more restrictive. The Zoroastrian Fire temple is exclusive to people born into that religion. Similarly, the Mormon Church limits entry only to members of that church. I am sure there is a restriction in Mecca.

Sant Kabir sums it up.​

The Divine Is Inside You​

"Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag, Tera Sai Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag." Meaning: "Just as a seed contains oil, fire is present in the flintstone, the Divine is inside you, realize this if you can!"

"Jab Tun Aaya Jagat Mein, Log Hanse Tu Roye, Aisi Karni Na Kari, Pache Hanse Sab Koye." Meaning: "When you came into this world, everyone laughed while you cried. Don't do such work during this Life, that they laugh when you are gone."
 

Sant Kabir sums it up.​

The Divine Is Inside You​

"Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag, Tera Sai Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag." Meaning: "Just as a seed contains oil, fire is present in the flintstone, the Divine is inside you, realize this if you can!"

"Jab Tun Aaya Jagat Mein, Log Hanse Tu Roye, Aisi Karni Na Kari, Pache Hanse Sab Koye." Meaning: "When you came into this world, everyone laughed while you cried. Don't do such work during this Life, that they laugh when you are gone."
I am reminded of the following statements in scripture of another religion:

"The Kingdom of Heaven is inside you"

"That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us..."

"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one....."
 
Sanatan Dharma is the universal code of conduct for all intelligent living beings with a conscience. Therefore, these laws apply to human beings and gods, asuras, and other intelligent species. The term is interchangeably used for Hinduism. Some Hindus believe that Sanatana Dharma is different from Hinduism, while some say that Hinduism is a nickname for Sanatana Dharma, and they are essentially the same.

The word Sanatana comprises two words, viz. Sana and Tana. Sana means without any beginning, and Tana means without any end. Therefore, the word Sanatana means eternal/everlasting.

Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhar,’ which means “that which holds together”. Every society has a set of laws or moral codes that they follow, which holds that civilization. Therefore, the meaning of the word Dharma is “law or a moral code”.

Therefore, Sanatan Dharma means “the eternal law”

Sanatan Dharma is a set of eternal universal laws that apply to all living beings with a conscience. These laws cannot be altered, even by the gods. These laws were there at the time of the inception of the universe and would be there when it would cease to exist.


In my opinion, no religion can claim for itself the name Sanatan Dharma. It is mischief.

Sanatana dharma is a term that refers to the eternal Truth of Hinduism. The roots of this phrase can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit literature as a kind of cosmic order. Sanatana denotes “that which is without beginning or end” or “everlasting.” Dharma, no direct translation into English, comes from dhri, meaning “to hold together or sustain.” Dharma is often interpreted as meaning “natural law.”

As such, the whole term, sanatana dharma, can be translated as “the natural and eternal way to live.” Sanatana dharma is widely considered to be the original term used to describe what we now know as Hinduism.
 
Sanatan Dharma is the universal code of conduct for all intelligent living beings with a conscience. Therefore, these laws apply to human beings and gods, asuras, and other intelligent species. The term is interchangeably used for Hinduism. Some Hindus believe that Sanatana Dharma is different from Hinduism, while some say that Hinduism is a nickname for Sanatana Dharma, and they are essentially the same.

The word Sanatana comprises two words, viz. Sana and Tana. Sana means without any beginning, and Tana means without any end. Therefore, the word Sanatana means eternal/everlasting.

Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhar,’ which means “that which holds together”. Every society has a set of laws or moral codes that they follow, which holds that civilization. Therefore, the meaning of the word Dharma is “law or a moral code”.

Therefore, Sanatan Dharma means “the eternal law”

Sanatan Dharma is a set of eternal universal laws that apply to all living beings with a conscience. These laws cannot be altered, even by the gods. These laws were there at the time of the inception of the universe and would be there when it would cease to exist.


In my opinion, no religion can claim for itself the name Sanatan Dharma. It is mischief.

Sanatana dharma is a term that refers to the eternal Truth of Hinduism. The roots of this phrase can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit literature as a kind of cosmic order. Sanatana denotes “that which is without beginning or end” or “everlasting.” Dharma, no direct translation into English, comes from dhri, meaning “to hold together or sustain.” Dharma is often interpreted as meaning “natural law.”

As such, the whole term, sanatana dharma, can be translated as “the natural and eternal way to live.” Sanatana dharma is widely considered to be the original term used to describe what we now know as Hinduism.

Afaik sana means from old, tana means offspring. sanata means from old and sanatana is from the old times. Hence it is interpreted as perpetual.

Also dhR means to hold or to bear or to carry etc. dharma is independently referred to as a law or something that's established or firm or steadfast (that applies to all).

I tried to explain it in the videos I referred, as I understood it.
 
Afaik sana means from old, tana means offspring. sanata means from old and sanatana is from the old times. Hence it is interpreted as perpetual.

Also dhR means to hold or to bear or to carry etc. dharma is independently referred to as a law or something that's established or firm or steadfast (that applies to all).

I tried to explain it in the videos I referred, as I understood it.
Yes. I went through your posting. It may even be the correct interpretation.
But more than a Billion people get their information from Social media, and captured media, assume that Sanatama Dharma is Hinduism, that too narrowly defined by Hindutva.
 
There are people world over that follow the tenets of Sanatana Dharma though many have nothing to do with a Hindu religion. They may not even heard the term

All religions in various forms are divisive and produce disharmony. Some are more violent than others. In my very little experience many converts from Hinduism tend to have more hatred. Also casteism has nothing to with Sanatana dharma.

Sanatana Dharma is universal and it unifies. It is opposite of hatred. Embraces the understanding of Ahimsa and tenets of Vasudaiva kutumbakam a vision from Upanishad I think.

Todays practices under the name of Hinduism is not consistent with eternal dharma.

A human being does not need any scriptures to know what eternal dharma is. It is social conditioning that makes people blind to life of natural order.
 

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