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It was this flexibility, characteristic of the Sanatana Dharma, that preserved it through so many ages, when other ancient practices perished. Till date every adherent of Sanatana Dharma, falls back on the Vedas, compiled by Vedavyasa for resolving any points of contention. Thus came into being the saying<blockquote>व्यासोच्छिष्टं जगत् सर्वम् । vyāsocchiṣṭaṁ jagat sarvam ।</blockquote>On these Shrutis the whole fabric of Vaidika Dharma or Sanatana Dharma, the religion of the Vedas, as it is truly named, is built. They propound a system by the mastery of which all the energies which vitalize the Universe and nature may be controlled, at the direction of Isvara (Absolute Consciousness).<ref name=":0" />

It was this flexibility, characteristic of the Sanatana Dharma, that preserved it through so many ages, when other ancient practices perished. Till date every adherent of Sanatana Dharma, falls back on the Vedas, compiled by Vedavyasa for resolving any points of contention. Thus came into being the saying<blockquote>व्यासोच्छिष्टं जगत् सर्वम् । vyāsocchiṣṭaṁ jagat sarvam ।</blockquote>On these Shrutis the whole fabric of Vaidika Dharma or Sanatana Dharma, the religion of the Vedas, as it is truly named, is built. They propound a system by the mastery of which all the energies which vitalize the Universe and nature may be controlled, at the direction of Isvara (Absolute Consciousness).<ref name=":0" />

== Principles of Sanatana Dharma ==

== Principles of Sanatana Dharma ==

The science of ancient Bharatavarsha was contained in the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]], the six angas (limbs or parts) while its philosophy was given by [[Vedanta]] and [[Shad Darshanas (षड्दर्शनानि)|Shad Darshanas]]. All philosophies are designed to lead man to the One Science, and One Wisdom, which saw One Self as Real and all else as unreal. Unity of all knowledge was the core concept with no distinction between science, philosophy and religion.<ref name=":0" />   

The science of ancient Bharatavarsha was contained in the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]], the six angas (limbs or parts) while its theosophical ideas were given by [[Vedanta]] and [[Shad Darshanas (षड्दर्शनानि)|Shad Darshanas]]. All philosophies are designed to lead man to the One Science, and One Wisdom, which saw One Self as Real and all else as unreal. Unity of all knowledge was the core concept with no distinction between science, philosophy and religion.<ref name=":0" />   

The following principles are the ones most accepted by the majority of people who follow Sanatana-dharma, and are also referenced in the Vedic texts. Beyond these, there are various schools of thought, which have further developments in their own outlook and philosophy, such as the Shaivites, Vaishnavas, Shaktas, Brahmanandis, Tantrics, and so on. These concepts are unique, ancient and distinguish Hinduism among many faiths.  

The following principles are unique and most accepted by the majority of people who follow Sanatana-dharma, and are also referenced in the Vedic texts. Beyond these, there are various schools of thought, which have further developments in their own outlook and philosophy, such as the Shaivites, Vaishnavas, Shaktas, Brahmanandis, Tantrics, and so on. These concepts are unique, ancient and distinguish Hinduism among many faiths.  

=== एकम् सत् || One Supreme Being  ===

=== एकम् सत् || One Supreme Being  ===

=== यज्ञाः ॥ Yajnas ===

=== यज्ञाः ॥ Yajnas ===

Shrutis declare it, Smrtis inculcate it and the Shad Vedangas circle around the concept while Dharmashastras show by practice that the worlds are built and maintained by Yajnas. Sanatana Dharma has incorporated and maintains that the yajnas pervade the whole life of man. That Srishti (Creation) began with Yajna is given by the following mantras of Brhdarnayakopanishad <blockquote> उषा वा अश्वस्य मेध्यस्य शिरः । uṣā vā aśvasya medhyasya śiraḥ । (Brhd. Upan. 1.1.1)</blockquote> ''The dawn verily is the head of the yajna horse. Here the dawn is explained as the beginning of the day of Brahma, the day of creation.'' The Shatapatha Brahmana, the Purusha sukta, Chandogya and other Upanishads, Manusmrti and Bhagavad Gita contain references of importance of Yajna in srishti. Yajnas also taught to see that man is a part of a great whole and related to all around him; and that as his own life was maintained by the sacrifice of other lives, so he must repay that debt by sacrificing to the Devatas in the fire and to men by charitable gifts as laid down in [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]].  <ref name=":0" />  

Shrutis declare it, Smrtis inculcate it and the Shad Vedangas circle around the concept while Dharmashastras show by practice that the worlds are built and maintained by Yajnas. Sanatana Dharma has incorporated and maintains that the yajnas pervade the whole life of man. That Srishti (Creation) began with Yajna is given by the following mantras of Brhdarnayakopanishad <blockquote> उषा वा अश्वस्य मेध्यस्य शिरः । uṣā vā aśvasya medhyasya śiraḥ । (Brhd. Upan. 1.1.1)</blockquote> ''The dawn verily is the head of the yajna horse. Here the dawn is explained as the beginning of the day of Brahma, the day of creation.'' The Shatapatha Brahmana, the Purusha sukta, Chandogya and other Upanishads, Manusmrti and Bhagavad Gita contain references of importance of Yajna in srishti. Yajnas also taught to see that man is a part of a great whole and related to all around him; and that as his own life was maintained by the sacrifice of other lives, so he must repay that debt by sacrificing to the Devatas in the fire and to men by charitable gifts as laid down in [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]].  <ref name=":0" />

 

=== देवताराधना ॥ Devataradhana  ===

=== देवताराधना ॥ Devataradhana  ===

The presence of vast host of Devatas does not obscure the Unity of Brahman (Ishvara), in his triple form as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva than does the vast hosts of men, animals, plants and minerals which are held sacred and prayed to since ages. As said in the Shruti  <blockquote>इन्द्रं मित्रं वरुणमग्निमाहु॒रथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान् । एकं सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहुः ॥४६॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.164.46)</blockquote> <blockquote> indraṁ mitraṁ varuṇamagnimāhu̱ratho divyaḥ sa suparṇo garutmān । ekaṁ sad viprā bahudhā vadantyagniṁ yamaṁ mātariśvānamāhuḥ ॥46॥ </blockquote> Meaning : Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni they call Him, and the golden feathered Garutman. Of what is One, sages speak as manifold, they call Him Agni, Yama, Matarishva.   

The presence of vast host of Devatas does not obscure the Unity of Brahman (Ishvara), in his triple form as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva than does the vast hosts of men, animals, plants and minerals which are held sacred and prayed to since ages. As said in the Shruti  <blockquote>इन्द्रं मित्रं वरुणमग्निमाहु॒रथो दिव्यः स सुपर्णो गरुत्मान् । एकं सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्त्यग्निं यमं मातरिश्वानमाहुः ॥४६॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.164.46)</blockquote> <blockquote> indraṁ mitraṁ varuṇamagnimāhu̱ratho divyaḥ sa suparṇo garutmān । ekaṁ sad viprā bahudhā vadantyagniṁ yamaṁ mātariśvānamāhuḥ ॥46॥ </blockquote> Meaning : Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni they call Him, and the golden feathered Garutman. Of what is One, sages speak as manifold, they call Him Agni, Yama, Matarishva.   

# Vanaprastha (वानप्रस्थः) or retired stage of life in which we take our spiritual goals more seriously  

# Vanaprastha (वानप्रस्थः) or retired stage of life in which we take our spiritual goals more seriously  

# Sanyasa (सन्यासः) or renunciation stage of life in which our spiritual purpose is the main focus  

# Sanyasa (सन्यासः) or renunciation stage of life in which our spiritual purpose is the main focus  

== Ten general rules of moral conduct of the Vedic path ==

== Ten general rules of moral conduct of the Vedic path ==

Of the ten rules of moral conduct five are for inner purity (Yamas) & the other five for external purification (Niyamas) —

Of the ten rules of moral conduct five are for inner purity (Yamas) & the other five for external purification (Niyamas) —

# संतोष || Santosh or contentment,  

# संतोष || Santosh or contentment,  

# ईश्वर प्रणिधान || Ishwara-pranidhana, or acceptance of the Supreme.

# ईश्वर प्रणिधान || Ishwara-pranidhana, or acceptance of the Supreme.

== आत्मगुणाः ॥ Atmagunas ==

== आत्मगुणाः ॥ Atmagunas ==

Gautama Dharmasutras describe the eight virtues of the Self, to be inculcated by everyone, as follows<blockquote>दया सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिर् अनसूया शौचम् अनायासोमङ्गलम् अकार्पण्यम् अस्पृहेति ॥ (Gaut. Dhar. 1.8.23)</blockquote>Compassion towards all creatures, forbearance, devoid of ill-will or envy, purity (external and internal),   avoiding pain even to oneself (अनायासः), auspiciousness, freedom from self-pity or weakness, free from covetousness.

Gautama Dharmasutras describe the eight virtues of the Self, to be inculcated by everyone, as follows<blockquote>दया सर्वभूतेषु क्षान्तिर् अनसूया शौचम् अनायासोमङ्गलम् अकार्पण्यम् अस्पृहेति ॥ (Gaut. Dhar. 1.8.23)</blockquote>Compassion towards all creatures, forbearance, devoid of ill-will or envy, purity (external and internal), avoiding pain even to oneself (अनायासः), auspiciousness, freedom from self-pity or weakness, free from covetousness are the qualities of the Atman.

== धर्मलक्षणम्‌ || Dharma Lakshanas ==

== धर्मलक्षणम्‌ || Dharma Lakshanas ==

# Akrodhah (अक्रोधः । absence of anger)

# Akrodhah (अक्रोधः । absence of anger)

:

:

: अहिंसा सत्‍यमस्‍तेयं शौचमिन्‍द्रियनिग्रह:। दानं दमो दया शान्‍ति: सर्वेषां धर्मसाधनम्‌।।

: अहिंसा सत्‍यमस्‍तेयं शौचमिन्‍द्रियनिग्रह:। दानं दमो दया शान्‍ति: सर्वेषां धर्मसाधनम्‌ ||

Yajnavalkya gives the above nine qualities of Dharma similar to those given in Manusmrti, with slight differences. He considers Ahimsa (not hurting other creatures by thought, word or deed) and Dana (charity) These principles are part of the eternal, universal truths that apply equally to all living entities who can use them for progress '''regardless of class, caste, nationality, gender, or any other temporary qualifications.''' These basic principles, as we can see, are not so difficult to understand and are the basis of the Vedic spiritual life.

Yajnavalkya gives the above nine qualities of Dharma similar to those given in Manusmrti, with slight differences. According to him Ahimsa (not hurting other creatures by thought, word or deed) and Dana (charity) also as the means to attain Dharma apart from the other qualities.

 

These principles are part of the eternal, universal truths that apply equally to all living entities who can use them for progress '''regardless of class, caste, nationality, gender, or any other temporary qualifications.''' These basic principles, as we can see, are not so difficult to understand and are the basis of the Vedic spiritual life.

== Paths in Sanatana Dharma ==

== Paths in Sanatana Dharma ==

# '''Karma yoga''', which is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one’s labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose, especially to Bhagavan. This is not merely to acquire good karma, but to become free from it altogether to attain moksha.

# '''Karma yoga''', which is the path of right action, detachment from the fruits of one’s labor, and dedicating our activities for a higher and spiritual purpose, especially to Bhagavan. This is not merely to acquire good karma, but to become free from it altogether to attain moksha.