- By Kashish Rai
- Thu, 07 Sep 2023 02:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sanatan Dharma: The term Sanatan means something that is “eternal”, and Dharma means “principles which need to be followed for ideal living”. Hence, the Sanatan Dharma collectively means the way of living that has been eternal - neither with a beginning nor an end.
Sanatan Dharma is a code of conduct based more on ethics than on rituals. It refers to the criterion that, when applied, guarantees that humans will live in harmony with themselves, their family, their society, their country, and the rest of the world. Sanatana Dharma is referenced by universally admired values including honesty, non-harming of living things, purity, goodwill, mercy, patience, forgiveness, self-restraint, and generosity.
Sanatan Dharma Rules
As Sanatan Dharma is categorized as the “way of life”, there are certain sets of rules and regulations that need to be followed to live life in a peaceful and righteous way:
- There are five prime virtues of this Dharma namely, Tapas (asceticism), Dana (Charity), Arjava (straightforwardness), Ahimsa (non-injury to living beings), and Satya-Vacana (Truthfulness) which need to be followed.
- The three cardinal virtues of control, daya (compassion for living things), and charity are urged upon by the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad as the additional virtues of the Sanatan Dharma.
- The Kathopanishad says that those who practice Sanatan Dharma must abstain from engaging in evil behaviour and identify calmness and focus as essential qualities of a Divine Self seeker.
Sanatan Dharma: A Perspective From The Bhagavad Gita
The Srimad Bhagavad Gita is also considered to be a “Manual of Life”, corresponding to the Sanatan Dharma. The Bhagavad Gita has multiple instances of the word “Sanatan Dharma” that explains the eternal nature of God and the way of life. The Bhagavad Gita defines Dharma (righteousness) and the characteristics of being Dharmic in great detail in Chapters 12 and 16. Let us have a look at some of these instances:
1. Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya glaanir bhavati bhaarata; Abhyutthaanam adharmasya tadaatmaanam srijaamyaham (The Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 7)
Meaning: Lord Krishna gives an assurance that whenever there is a decline of righteousness (Dharma), God will manifest himself to save the world in time to come.
2. Santushtah satatam yogee yataatmaa dridhanishchayah; Mayyarpitamanobuddhiryo madbhaktah sa me priyah (The Gita Chapter 12, Verse 14)
Meaning: Lord Krishna says “The is who always content, devoted, self-controlled, steady and firmly committed to righteousness, dedicating his mental and intellectual endeavours towards my path is dear to me.”
3. Adweshtaa sarvabhootaanaam maitrah karuna eva cha; Nirmamo nirahankaarah samaduhkhasukhah kshamee (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 , Verse 13)
Meaning: (Dharmic is) The one who hates no one, is friendly, forgiving and compassionate to everyone, is free from attachment and egotism, and is balanced in pleasure and pain.
4. Ahimsaa satyamakrodhas tyaagah shaantirapaishunam; Dayaa bhooteshvaloluptwam maardavam hreerachaapalam (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 2)
Meaning: The qualities of Non-violence, Truth, Peacefulness, Compassion, Renunciation, Gentleness, Modesty and absence of greed, slyness, fickleness, or anger make a person superior.
5. Tejah kshamaa dhritih shauchamadroho naatimaanitaa; Bhavanti sampadam daiveem abhijaatasya bhaarata (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 3)
Meaning: (Spiritual) vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, and absence of hatred or arrogance (pride) make a person uphold Dharma correctly.
(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)