Can you tell me about Hinduism? That question has followed me to many places. Most of the time, those asking do not want an in-depth discussion on the fundamental concepts of Hinduism. What they want is a bird’s eye view of Hinduism. Some want to explore Hinduism. I have wondered how to answer this question. I do not want to advertise Hinduism, nor do I want people to be overwhelmed by its enormity.
A bird’s eye view
Hinduism is vast, like an ocean. It is not possible to learn about various aspects of Hinduism even for practising Hindus.
Imagine Hinduism as a massive library with different buildings for different genres of books. In this post, I aim to give you a brief description of WHERE the library is and some landmark buildings.
What does “Hindu” mean?
Many do not know that “Hindu” is not a religion but a geographical identity. It refers to the people of the Indus Valley civilisation. Our Indic ancestors call us a Saraswati-Sindhu Civilisation. The people of this region are called Hindu.
The religion of the Hindu people is called Sanatan Dharma. The word is translated as “eternal truth”, but its essence is lost in translation. We will discuss this in more detail below. However, hereafter we will use Sanatan Dharma.
A system to maximise human potential.
Sanatan Dharma is a system comprising eternal principles and truths to guide a person to maximise her potential. The system is designed for many types of individuals. It is designed such that depending on who you are, your nature, and your traits, it will help you achieve your maximum potential.
For example, if you believe or not, if you are knowledge-driven, action-driven, faith-driven, etc., whoever you are, you will get some guidance to maximise your potential.
The system is ever-evolving; as we discover new principles and truths, we add them to our system.
Sanatan Dharma is not a religion
The word “religion” is related to faith and devotion. Sanatan Dharma is not a faith-based system. Sanatan Dharma understands that faith, too, is an instrument to expand and promote human achievement. Hence, it INCLUDES faith-based techniques as a means to enhance personal potential.
Fundamentals of Sanatan Dharma
There are some elements of Sanatan Dharma that you may encounter.
One Creator
Sanatan Dharma believes in one creator. In different schools, the Creator is often called Ishvar, param-Ishvar, param-Brahma, param-Atma or Brahma. Ishvar does not have gender.
Philosophical Schools of Sanatan Dharma
Sanatan Dharma includes different philosophies based on (in general) three concepts - Ishvar, Atma (soul) and Jada (matter).
Nastik School: Do not believe in Ishvar or Vedas
Charvaka
Ajivika
Buddhism
Jainism
Astik School: Believes in Ishvar
Samkhya
Yoga
Nyaya
Vaisheshika
Mimansa
Vedanta or Uttara Mimansa: Belief that the collection of knowledge is in the Vedas, Upanishads etc.
Advaita School believes everything is one part of the same divine.
Vishsht Advaita School believes in the Advaita philosophy with some qualifications.
Dvaita School believes Creator, Soul and Environment are all different.
Other Schools:
Shaivism
Sakta
Vaishnava
Atma
Atma is our soul. As per Sanatan Dharma, Atma is indestructible. It is the divine element within you.
Karma
Karma is an essential concept of Sanatan Dharma. Karma means your ACTUAL action. Sanatan Dharma believes you have the freedom to choose your action. In every situation, the system of Dharma tells you what you SHOULD do, and Karma is what you actually do. If your Karma (actual action) aligns with your Dharma (right action), you can achieve the Pursharthas.
Reincarnation
One thought explains it thus. We come to this earth to learn and better ourselves. Our lives are like a situational simulation to help us learn something new about our Dharma and the greater truth. Till we get it, we go through various cycles of births. Once our understanding is complete, we are liberated from this cycle of birth and death, and we attain Moksha.
Human Potential under Sanatan Dharma - Purshartha
As per Sanatan Dharma, we achieve our maximum potential when we achieve certain goals of our human existence. Because we are born as humans (as against animals or trees), we have higher goals or objectives. These are called Pursharthas, and there are four Pursharthas.
Dharma
Dharma does not mean religion. It isn't easy to translate. I explained the concept of Dharma in this post. In short, you can think of it as a system based on duties conforming to your nature and situation. Dharma tells us what we SHOULD be doing in each circumstance life throws at us.
Arth
Arth refers to wealth, material prosperity, financial security etc.
Kama
Kama refers to desires for pleasure, joy, intimacy, and affection, etc. A person gets pleasure from relationships, being a mother or father, affection of children, pets, music, arts, etc. It also includes sexual desires.
Moksha
Moksha means spiritual liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The concept of Moksha is different in different schools. The Advaita School believes moksha means the soul becomes one with Ishvar. Dvaita school believes moksha means to achieve maximum potential.
Scriptures of Sanatan Dharma
Many people want to know the scriptures, books or texts about Hinduism / Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Dharma includes various types of books. The texts are written in Sanskrit.
One fundamental wisdom is that Systems of knowledge are infinite (अनन्ता वै वेदाः।). The word Ved means knowledge.
Types of Dharmic Texts
The books are classified as Shruti (what was heard = revealed truth) and Smriti (what is remembered = realised truth)
Main shruti texts (3)
The Four Vedas - RigVed, Yajur Ved, Sama Ved, Atharva Ved. Each of them has four parts.
Samhita (the text in the form of hymns) (Total 1130)
Brahmanah (Explanation for using these in practice) (Total 1130)
Aranyaka (techniques for reflection and observance) (Total 1130)
Upanishad (sort of explanatory text to clarify understanding ) (Total 1130)
The Vedanta Sutra
Main smriti texts (4)
The Itihasas (histories or epics)
The Bhagavad-gita (philosophy)
The Puranas (stories and histories) (Total 18)
The Dharma Shastra (law books)
Other texts (4)
The Vedangas (limbs of the Vedas)
Shiksha - the study of phonetics/pronunciation of Sanskrit.
Kalpa - procedures for rituals.
Chhandas - the study of the poetic meter.
Vyarkarana - the analysis of grammar and linguistics.
Nirukta - the study of etymology - explaining the meaning of words.
Jyotisha - the study of astrology, astronomy and timekeeping.
The Upavedas (following the Vedas)
Sectarian texts (e.g. agamas, tantras)
Vernacular literature
Reading Techniques for Texts and Literature
To understand the Vedas, you need Sanskrit or get access to elaborate commentary.
The reason for this is Sanskrit is a scientific or rather mathematical language. The Vedangas give us details for interpretation guide for Sanskrit, including the poetic styles and etc.
The texts are interpreted at three levels:
physical - the actual word, more apt for information and technology
metaphorical - relevant for moral and values learnings.
spiritual - this is relevant for helping people in their journey towards moksha
Different pathways for different personality types
Santan Dharma says it has to date, discovered four paths to salvation. A person may choose a path most suited to her and yet attain moksha.
The path of duty (Karma Yog)
A person who performs his duties to the best of her ability attains moksha. The nature and type of duty change depending upon the people and institutions involved and the context of situations. A person has a duty to others, including family and strangers, to country, nature, animals etc. Sanatan Dharma (eternal duty) is a duty-based system that explains various duties.
The path of faith and devotion (Bhakti Yog)
A person who surrenders herself to the will of God also achieves Moksha. Sanatan Dharma provides some observations and recommendations on how to travel this path. The devotee uses God as her guide to achieving moksha.
To fit with the views and aspirations of different people and personalities, God takes the form of different deities. A devotee may find an affinity for the deity of her choice and devotion, and faith in such a deity takes her to moksha.
The path of knowledge (Dnyan Yog)
For the sceptical, who are interested in understanding the world, their pursuit of knowledge leads them to salvation. Various sages and scholars have written different ways to keep your focus on attaining paramount knowledge in your field. These aspects are encoded in texts of relevant subjects.
The path of self (Raj Yog)
Santan Dharma recognises that divinity is in everything, including one’s own self. Those who seek to know and understand the divine within themselves can follow a path of rigorous control over their physical, mental and spiritual aspects to attain moksha. As this path is quite challenging, Sage Patanjali has recommended an 8-step method to progress along this path.
Types of human development
The concept of human development covers all types of development, including physical, mental, social etc. Sanatan Dharma has assembled various scientific processes, techniques, etc., to expand our potential. Thus,
For improving physical body - yoga
For improving mind - meditation
For improving intellect - Sanskrit and Ved
For a time when probabilities do not side with you - Faith schools
Some questions answered
Now that we have discussed some basics, let me highlight some points related to Sanatan Dharma. The questions may not connect with all schools within Sanatan Dharma. Hence these are answered with respect to certain schools only.
What is the difference between Devata and Ishvar?
Devatas (Devi and Dev) are exceptional and divine beings. The Devis and Devs have exceptional achievements. Some commentators believe that Devatas are being who have enhanced or maximised their Atma to a very high degree.
How many Devatas?
Many people believe there are 300 million Gods. That is not true. There are 33 types of Devatas. In some schools, these 33 categories refer to advantages, qualities and other desirable behaviours.
Worshipping Goddesses
In certain schools of Sanatan Dharma, it is explained that the universe is the divine union of the male and the female. The Male represents spirit or consciousness, and the Female represents energy. Without one, the other is incomplete.
In some other Dharmic schools, the principle is that the universe is a product of Prakriti (nature, material elements) and Purusha (spirit, consciousness, energy). The five Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati, Gayatri and Radha together represent the complete Prakriti -
Why idol worship?
In Sanatan Dharma, Ishvar is nirgun (non-material). However, to help normal people direct their focus, we have idols.
The idols are designed to direct specifically the effect you desire. Thus if you desire to be physically strong and build your body, you should pray to Lord Hanuman. When you are in school learning, you worship Saraswati Devi.
The various Devatas are available in different stages of their lives so that you can relate to them. For instance, Swami Ayyappa appears as Brahmachari (i.e. taking a vow of celibacy) at the famous Sabarimala Temple, where young women are not allowed. At other temples, Swami Ayyappa appears in non-Brahmachari forms where women are allowed.
Caste System V/s Varna - Jati system
A birth-based Caste system has infiltrated Sanatan Dharma in the recent past. There is no room for a birth-based caste system in Sanatan Dharma.
Sanatan Dharma advocates classifying society into four Varnas -
Brahmin (knowledge workers),
Kshatriya (defence workers),
Vaishya (business, entrepreneur and skilled workers) and
Shudra (semi-skilled workers).
Communities also classify themselves based on certain distinctive characteristics, e.g., occupation creating a knowledge base, skill or expertise. These communities are called Jatis. A Jati is birth based.
Reincarnation = gradual step up across different births to moksha.
In certain schools of Sanatan Dharma, it is believed that the Atma (soul) is sent to this world to learn, seek knowledge and improve.
It is said we are born as organisms with the lowest conscience, and we go through a cycle of birth and death. When we get better, we are born as higher beings and, finally, as humans, where we have the most conscience.
Concept of time = Circular
Dharmic time is circular. Time is eternal, and it moves in cycles. Society, nature and everything follow the rhythm of time.
Seek! Question! But don’t stop your work. - Search for Knowledge Dnyan
The quest for knowledge (dnyan) is the basis of Sanatan Dharma.
It is said:
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय । (Om! From non-reality, take me to reality)
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । (From darkness, take me to light)
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय । (From mortality take me to immortality)
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ (Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti)
Sanatan Dharma urges you to seek, find answers, and search for a path to achieve your maximum potential. It urges you not to stop at first doubt; analyse deeply with an open mind.
Sanatan Dharma plods you not to be blinded by just one aspect of life or focus on one sphere of life (say work) but to achieve your potential in all spheres of life.
Aashram system for life cycle -
The ideal life comprises four ashrams or life stages.
Brahmacharya Ashram is the first stage dedicated to learning. A person must follow celibacy, practice austerity and focus on seeking knowledge under her Guru.
Grihista Ashram is the stage of family life. A person has to fulfil her duties to her family, household etc.
Vanaprastha Ashram is the third stage of life, where a person takes the role of advisor or mentor to other people.
Sanyasa Ashram is the final stage of life, where a person renounces all material belongings and focuses on moksha.
The prominence of Srimad Bhagwatam [the Bhagwat Geeta]
Many wonder why Hindus refer to Bhagwat Geeta or Srimad Bhagwatam as the main book, not others from the list.
It is said that Sage Ved Vyas was not satisfied after compiling the Vedas, Puranas, Itihaas, Mahabharata etc. In a discussion, Sage Narada suggested that the description of the glory of dharma and Sri Krishna in the Mahabharat needs to be expanded. From that suggestion came the Srimad Bhagavatam, a concentrated distillate of all the knowledge and wisdom of Sage Vyas. Hence it enjoys an exalted status in Sanatan Dharma.
Sanatan Dharma is not static
It changes and improves. The Vedas were built over millennia. The Arthshastra was written merely 2000 years ago. The treatise on Mathematics and Astronomy was written up to 1200 CE. However, since then, Bharat has been under attack by Islamic invaders and the colonial powers. The Vedic knowledge base was not expanded since about 1500 CE.
In Sanatan Dharma, nothing is mandatory.
There is no compulsion. Just like taking a route map on a difficult forest trek, accepting any wisdom and knowledge is not mandatory.
The Sages suggest that your trek will be more difficult without the map. The Sages suggest you can discover your own path while carrying the map. Further, it is the dharma of the person who discovers a new path to share her wisdom with the world, and it can be added to the dharmic knowledge repository.
Assimilation of tribes and faith systems
When the Vedic Sages encountered various communities following their self-development process, they documented and assimilated that knowledge into Sanatan Dharma.
Is Kamasutra/Tantra part of Sanatan Dharma?
Yes, Sanatan Dharma realises that sex and reproduction are important aspects of life and essential to realise one’s potential.
The Kamasutra is a scientific treatise on sexual pleasure. It was written around 400 BCE.
No! Tantra is not just related to sex. It is a detailed philosophy. Tantra also has techniques for energising the lower chakras. Other dharmic philosophies also explore sex.
If you want to learn more
Can I convert to Sanatan Dharma?
The Vedic answer is that you are always governed by Sanatan Dharma. Just like you cannot convert to Gravity, you cannot convert to Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Dharma just IS.
However, as modern religions have created distortions, creating a ritual for entering Sanatan Dharma has become essential. In India, some use certain rituals as initiating to Sanatan Dharma.
Do you need a guru?
Not really, but it will greatly help if you find the right guru.
The easiest way to navigate this immense literature is to follow a path that suits your temperament. It means picking the philosophical school and literature tuned to your personality.
For instance, a curious person is better introduced to knowledge through questions and logic rather than ritual and penance. It is the same ocean, but jumping from the nearest seashore is easier.
The Gurukul system has been systematically destroyed for more than 200 years. Hence many of the current gurus and Ashrams are not in the true spirit of the Vedic Gurukul system. Hence choose your guru wisely.
Different Sects and Patheons within Hinduism
As you start exploring the landscape of Sanatan Dharma, you will encounter many different sects and panths (groups), some with their own God but with the same fundamental principles of Dharma.
This may feel odd for a non-dharmic, but these sects/groups are part of Sanatan Dharma as Dharma excludes none and accepts all the paths to realise your potential.
Disclaimer
A millennium of Islamic invasion and Christian colonial plunder of scriptures means there are a lot of missing pieces. From within the Vedas, there were 1130 Samhitas, Brahmans, Aranyakas and Upanishads, each of which 90% are missing.
Distorted history, therefore, we have to wait till all this confusion settles - E.g. practice of Sati - Meenakshi Jain.
Links:
Varna, Jati, Caste: A Primer on Indian Social Structures - by Rajiv Malhotra
Sati Evangelicals Baptist Missionaries and the Changing Colonial Discourse - by Meenakshi Jain
Secret Notes:
Hey there!
Thanks for making it till here.
This post is just a primer on Sanatan Dharma. I wonder if it is enough or if I should add some more things to it. Let me know what you think. May be once we go through some iterations, we can publish it as an e-book.