“Hinduism” is a term of Western origin that encapsulates the essence of सनातन धर्म (Sanatana Dharma), a concept difficult to translate for Western philosophers. This idea is succinctly expressed in the book “The Religions Book,” a comprehensive compendium by DK Publishing.
There is, strictly speaking, no single religion that can accurately be called “Hinduism”; this is a modern Western term for the different religions and spiritual philosophies that have originated within the Indian subcontinent.
C. Rajagopalachari, in his book “Hinduism: Doctrine and Way of Life,” stated that the term “Hindu” is a modern creation. Hinduism cannot be encapsulated by a singular representation, as it encompasses various faiths, practices, and scriptures.
The term “सनातन” (Sanatana) holds diverse meanings, including permanent, primeval, perpetual, ancient, eternal, and everlasting. Regardless of the chosen interpretation, it signifies a timeless essence, explaining why Hinduism’s origin remains elusive.
“Dharma” (धर्म) denotes attribute, nature, and manner. In Pali, it signifies cosmic law and order.
“सनातन धर्म” (Sanatana Dharma) is thus understood as an eternal way of life, reflecting a timeless and natural order.
The foundation of Sanatana Dharma is laid on the texts and scriptures commonly known as श्रुति (shruti), स्मृति (smriti), and पुराण (purana).
श्रुति (shruti) primarily includes the Vedas and Vedantas, namely ऋग्वेद (Rigveda), यजुर्वेद (Yajurveda), सामवेद (Samaveda), and अथर्ववेद (Atharvaveda). It is believed that there are 108 उपनिषद् (Upanishads), but twelve are identified as main based on the identification and Bhashyams by Bhagvatpada Sharanakaracharya. They are.
स्मृति (Smriti) are group of text that comprises or laws, guidelines and Shastras. Popular ones are Manu Smriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti. The Smritis consists of following texts.
Also known as the Laws of Manu, Manu smriti is one of the most well-known Dharma Shastra texts. It provides guidance on personal conduct, social hierarchy, and legal matters.
Attributed to the sage Yajnavalkya, this text elaborates on various aspects of Dharma, including family law, inheritance, and social responsibilities.
Ascribed to the sage Narada, this text addresses topics such as legal procedure, criminal law, and ethical conduct.
This text is attributed to the sage Brihaspati and covers a wide range of subjects, including marriage, inheritance, and judicial procedure.
Another important Dharma Shastra text, Katyayana Smriti, deals with legal matters, rituals, and ethical conduct.
पुराण (Puranas) are numerous. Itihasas are part of this group. While it is difficult to know the final list and number of puranas, there are 18 Puranas that are considered as primary and other eighteen are considered as Up-puranas as secondary. They are as follows:
Main Puranas
The Up-Puranas are.
In addition to these puranas, there are two Itihasas namely Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The scriptures do have a kind of hierarchy.
Vedas are text that are expressed in very concise form. It requires a special knowledge and practice to understand the spirit and philosophy behind Vedas. They are cryptic.
Smritis are set of texts that creates a kind of Do’s and Don’ts based on Veda for easy practice and implementation.
Puranas and Itihasas are explaining the Vedas and Smritis through a story.
There are four statements that are known as Mahavakyas.
Unlike other religions and beliefs, Hinduism does not distinguish between “Me” and “Him.” All core phrases reflect this philosophy, emphasizing the goal of Oneness. The journey is the process of reaching that stage.
Consider the cycle of a water drop:
Life begins as a water drop evaporates from an ocean or waterbody to form clouds in the sky. It falls back to merge into the ocean or waterbodies again.
Similarly, “Me” as a water drop gets separated due to Maya and merges into “Him” again once true Knowledge is attained. The essential goal of all forms of activity is to attain this True Knowledge.
There is often a misconception about Hinduism regarding the presence of many aspects of religion. However, the “many” is only a manifestation of the same truth. For example:
Water, although H2O, takes different forms and names depending on the state and context:
Similarly, a person remains unchanged throughout life but is referred to differently at various stages:
एकं सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति
Rigveda
He is one but to the intellect it appears as many.
There are numerous rituals and sacrifices discussed in the scriptures. One of the most important sets of activities unique to Hinduism is called Pancha Maha Yajna (Five Great Sacrifices). These sacrifices help practitioners recognize their consonance with nature and provide a fundamental direction towards oneness.
Deva Yajna involves offering oblations to the gods through rituals like Agnihotra and Sandhya Vandana. It acknowledges the debt to the gods for their contribution to life and nature. There is no specific reference to any God here. It is any God or all God.
Pitru Yajna is the offering of oblations to ancestors. It is done to honour and remember the departed souls and express gratitude for their contributions to the family lineage. The sacrifices to Pitru are considered important.
Brahma Yajna involves the study and dissemination of knowledge. It includes teaching, learning, and performing rituals related to spiritual wisdom and scriptures. This the way one learns and assimilate knowledge.
Manushya Yajna refers to acts of service and kindness towards fellow human beings. It includes hospitality, charity, helping the needy, and caring for the welfare of society.
Bhuta Yajna involves showing reverence and compassion towards all living beings, including animals and plants. It includes actions that promote environmental sustainability and harmony with nature.
These Pancha Maha yajna is structured for ensuring that everything in the universe that are Drishya and Adrishya is taken care by our acts and sacrifices. This develops compassion and love.
There are no prescriptions for any of these Yagna. You can contribute the way you want to. For example, for first two yajna even offering water is considered enough. For Brahma Yajna, even chanting name of one’s Ishta dev is considered as good enough. It is not necessary that one need to learn scriptures. The other two Yajna can be performed by just expressing gratitude and offering what ever is available. It could just be one leaf from a plant.
One of the unique and most important aspect of Hinduism is the Ashrama Dharma. It is division of life based on the objectives of the life to fulfil the purpose of existence. These ashrama Dharma is reflection of stage that one must go through before one attains the True Knowledge.
ब्रह्मचर्य (Brahmacharya)
Brahmacharya is the stage of student hood or celibate life. During this period, individuals focus on education, learning scriptures, and cultivating discipline and self-control. This is an important stage where one prepares to progress towards higher purpose of the life.
गृहस्थ (Grihastha)
Grihastha is the stage of householder ship or family life. In this stage, individuals marry, raise families, pursue careers, and fulfil their societal and familial duties and responsibilities. Most Yajnas in Hinduism can be performed only by a Grihasta. It is the stage where one applies all his knowledge into practice and matures for seeking higher truth.
वानप्रस्थ (Vanaprastha)
Vanaprastha is the stage of retirement or gradual withdrawal from worldly duties and responsibilities. Individuals in this stage focus on spiritual practices, introspection, and preparing for the final stage of life. This helps in preparing the next generation to take charge of society and develop. It is also essential to “give-up” for a larger gain in next phase of life.
संन्यास (Sannyasa)
Sannyasa is the stage of renunciation or monkhood. Individuals renounce worldly attachments, live a life of simplicity and detachment, and dedicate themselves entirely to spiritual pursuits and self-realization. Often it is construed that one must adorn a particular attire and leave home for this.
It may not be possible for one to understand every aspect of Sanatana Dharma in one life. It might appear to be easy, but the sheer expansiveness and layers of understanding makes it unfathomable.
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