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
Vedas – The oldest sacred texts (Ṛig, Yajur, Sāma, Atharva)
Upaniṣads – Philosophical inquiry into Brahman (ultimate reality) and Ātman (self)
Smṛtis & Itihāsas – Bhagavad Gītā, Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata
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
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