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== What is Sanatana Dharma ==

== What is Sanatana Dharma ==

{| class="wikitable"|<nowiki> Sanatana           ► </nowiki>

{| class="wikitable" |<nowiki> Sanatana           ► </nowiki>

| eternal

| eternal

| never beginning nor ending

| never beginning nor ending

| All-Pervading Truth

| All-Pervading Truth

| Natural Flow

| Natural Flow

|}

|}Sanatana Dharma eternally holds All together.

Sanatana Dharma eternally holds All together.

 

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

Some people think that Hinduism or Vedic philosophy is difficult to understand, and, thus, hard to explain. But if you look at it succinctly, it is not very difficult at all. All you have to do is know what to say. So this little article presents the essential principles in a concise way that everyone can learn and repeat when necessary. Hinduism is also more correctly called by its Sanskrit name: Sanatana-Dharma.  

Some people think that Hinduism or Vedic philosophy is difficult to understand, and, thus, hard to explain. But if you look at it succinctly, it is not very difficult at all. All you have to do is know what to say. So this little article presents the essential principles in a concise way that everyone can learn and repeat when necessary. Hinduism is also more correctly called by its Sanskrit name: Sanatana-Dharma.  

=== Meaning of Sanatana Dharma ===

=== Meaning of Sanatana Dharma ===

This, essentially, means to follow one’s eternal duty, which is to search for and understand our spiritual identity, and then to learn to live according to those eternal and spiritual characteristics, especially by one’s own spiritual realizations. This is also the purpose and mission of the Vedic philosophy and culture, and our ultimate duty in human life.

This, essentially, means to follow one’s eternal duty, which is to search for and understand our spiritual identity, and then to learn to live according to those eternal and spiritual characteristics, especially by one’s own spiritual realizations. This is also the purpose and mission of the Vedic philosophy and culture, and our ultimate duty in human life.

=== The Vedic philosophy, (that which is based on the ancient Vedas and its supporting literature of India) ===

=== The Vedic philosophy, (that which is based on the ancient Vedas and its supporting literature of India) ===

* to help humanity understand who we really are, and the purpose of life. It is like the manual you get when you buy an appliance and need to understand exactly how it works. The Vedic literature is there to help all of us.

* to help humanity understand who we really are, and the purpose of life. It is like the manual you get when you buy an appliance and need to understand exactly how it works. The Vedic literature is there to help all of us.

== 10 basic principles of Sanatana Dharma ==

== 10 basic principles of Sanatana Dharma ==

These 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 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.  

# then '''Kama''', to enjoy and work out our basic material desires as is appropriate for our particular stage of life;  

# then '''Kama''', to enjoy and work out our basic material desires as is appropriate for our particular stage of life;  

# and then retire from all that and focus on '''Moksha''' or attaining Self-realization and freedom from any further rounds of birth and death in material existence.

# and then retire from all that and focus on '''Moksha''' or attaining Self-realization and freedom from any further rounds of birth and death in material existence.

== Expansion  of the ten principles ==

== Expansion  of the ten principles ==

# The Vedic Tradition is not a religion, '''but a way of life''', a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence.

# The Vedic Tradition is not a religion, '''but a way of life''', a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence.

# The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his or her own choice of how he or she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand. This is the height of spiritual democracy and freedom from tyranny.

# The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his or her own choice of how he or she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand. This is the height of spiritual democracy and freedom from tyranny.

# Recognizing the value and sanctity of all forms of life, as well as the Eternal Divine Being that is their true Self, the Vedic principle is that we should therefore strive in every possible way to peacefully co-exist with all other species of living entities.

# Recognizing the value and sanctity of all forms of life, as well as the Eternal Divine Being that is their true Self, the Vedic principle is that we should therefore strive in every possible way to peacefully co-exist with all other species of living entities.

== 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.

== The ten qualities that are basis of dharmic (righteous) life ==

== The ten qualities that are basis of dharmic (righteous) life ==

# Dhriti (firmness or fortitude),  

# Dhriti (firmness or fortitude),  

# Akrodhah (absence of anger).

# Akrodhah (absence of anger).

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.

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.

== Four basic yoga paths for the individual's spiritual development ==

== Four basic yoga paths for the individual's spiritual development ==

# '''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.

## sixth step is dharana, concentrating on the object of meditation. The seventh step is dhyana, when the mind is in a state of undisturbed flowing meditation. This leads to the eighth step which is samadhi, in which, according to the eightfold path, the yogi becomes one with the Supreme, or fully engaged in thought of the Supreme. This ultimately reaches to moksha if performed diligently and steadily. However, this is an arduous path and much more explanation is required.

## sixth step is dharana, concentrating on the object of meditation. The seventh step is dhyana, when the mind is in a state of undisturbed flowing meditation. This leads to the eighth step which is samadhi, in which, according to the eightfold path, the yogi becomes one with the Supreme, or fully engaged in thought of the Supreme. This ultimately reaches to moksha if performed diligently and steadily. However, this is an arduous path and much more explanation is required.

# '''Bhakti yoga''' is the final form of spiritual realization and attainment of the spiritual world. It is the process of simply developing loving devotional service to the Bhagavan. It is by far the easiest of all the yoga processes and has fewer requirements for the practitioners than any other process. Bhakti is the yoga that begins, continues, and ends with love and devotion to the Supreme. There is no stronger binding mechanism than love, and spiritual love is the natural sentiment that emanates from Bhagavan and connects all living beings. Thus, it is said that attaining this sentiment of devotion to Bhagavan holds the sum and substance of all other yoga processes and religions. It is the strength of this connection that can deliver one to the spiritual realm or Bhagavan’s domain.

# '''Bhakti yoga''' is the final form of spiritual realization and attainment of the spiritual world. It is the process of simply developing loving devotional service to the Bhagavan. It is by far the easiest of all the yoga processes and has fewer requirements for the practitioners than any other process. Bhakti is the yoga that begins, continues, and ends with love and devotion to the Supreme. There is no stronger binding mechanism than love, and spiritual love is the natural sentiment that emanates from Bhagavan and connects all living beings. Thus, it is said that attaining this sentiment of devotion to Bhagavan holds the sum and substance of all other yoga processes and religions. It is the strength of this connection that can deliver one to the spiritual realm or Bhagavan’s domain.

== Some important points of Sanatana Dharma ==

== Some important points of Sanatana Dharma ==

* A formal process of conversion to Sanatana-dharma is not necessary because the principles, as outlined above, can be practiced by anyone at any time, or to any degree one wishes.  

* A formal process of conversion to Sanatana-dharma is not necessary because the principles, as outlined above, can be practiced by anyone at any time, or to any degree one wishes.  

* It is the acceptance of it in your heart and the practices that you adopt.  

* It is the acceptance of it in your heart and the practices that you adopt.  

* However, you can approach a guru of your choice who inspires you and can guide you and then ask for diksha, or initiation, by which you may then accept a formal ritual as a qualified follower of the Vedic path in the school of thought or parampara that your guru represents. Then you may receive a spiritual name, indicating your dedication and change of spiritual orientation, or even further take an initiation as a priest or brahmana.

* However, you can approach a guru of your choice who inspires you and can guide you and then ask for diksha, or initiation, by which you may then accept a formal ritual as a qualified follower of the Vedic path in the school of thought or parampara that your guru represents. Then you may receive a spiritual name, indicating your dedication and change of spiritual orientation, or even further take an initiation as a priest or brahmana.