Sanatana Dharma

Sanātana Dharma (सनातन धर्म) means “the eternal way of life.” It is the traditional self-description of what is today called Hinduism.

• Sanātana = eternal, timeless, universal

• Dharma = cosmic order, duty, righteousness, way of living
  Together, it refers to a timeless spiritual and ethical framework rather than a single, fixed religion.

Key foundations

1. Vedas – The oldest sacred texts (Ṛig, Yajur, Sāma, Atharva)

2. Upaniṣads – Philosophical inquiry into Brahman (ultimate reality) and Ātman (self)

3. Smṛtis & Itihāsas – Bhagavad Gītā, Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata

4. Purāṇas – Devotional narratives and cosmology

• Brahman – Supreme, infinite reality

• Ātman – The true self, identical with Brahman (in Advaita)

• Karma – Law of action and consequence

• Saṁsāra – Cycle of birth and rebirth

• Mokṣa – Liberation from saṁsāra

• Dharma – Moral, social, and spiritual duty (varies by role and stage of life)

   

Paths to realization (Yogas)

• Jñāna Yoga – Path of knowledge

• Bhakti Yoga – Path of devotion

• Karma Yoga – Path of selfless action

• Rāja Yoga – Path of meditation and discipline

   

Way of life 

• Accepts multiple philosophies (Advaita, Dvaita, Viśiṣṭādvaita, Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Nyāya, etc.)

• Encourages pluralism: “Ekam sat viprā bahudhā vadanti” — Truth is one, sages call it by many names

• Emphasizes personal spiritual experience over compulsory belief

• Integrates spirituality, ethics, society, ecology, and daily life

• Sees the universe as sacred and interconnected