Sanatana Dharma: the Eternal Law

When one thinks of Hinduism what most readily comes to mind are the myriad gods and the colorful iconography.  Yet, the foundation of Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma, which translates into ‘Eternal Law’.  Sanatana Dharma is a moral code of conduct, which transcends time, space and is considered eternal. 

 

Sanatana Dharma in its primal form is found in 11 Upanishads, namely the Aitaryeya, Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, Isavasya, Katha, Kena, Mandukya, Mundaka, Prasna, Svetashvatara and Taittiriya Upanishads. These 11 sacred texts are attached to the 4 Vedas.  The Upanishads are the foundation of Vedanta.  

 

The backbone of Sanatana Dharma is the 10 basic principles.

Yamas for inner purity:

1. Satya (truthfulness)

2. Ahimsa (non-injury to others and treating all beings with respect)

3. Asteya (no cheating or stealing)

4. Brahmacharya (celibacy)

5. Aparighara (no selfish accumulation of resources)

 

Niyamas for external purification:

1. Shaucha (cleanliness and purity of mind and body)

2. Tapas (austerity and perseverance)

3. Swadhyaya (study of the Vedas and self-analysis)

4. Santosh (contentment)

5. Ishwara-pranidhana (acceptance of the Supreme)

 

While a thorough study of Vedanta is surely just for enthusiasts or adherents, one can easily acquire an excellent understanding of the everyday, practical application of Sanatana Dharma through study of the Bhagavad Gita. It’s a digest of the Upanishads, consisting of just 700 verses and it provides practical and theoretical teachings of Sanatana Dharma.

 

Hinduism encompasses a broad swath of spiritual and philosophical diversity to accommodate the inherent propensities of an equally diverse population.  Yet, Sanatana Dharma, as explained in the Bhagavad Gita, outlines the grade and yield of generalized spiritual practices.   Worship of the formless, infinite God is considered the most difficult approach, while worship of one of the Trimurti aspects, avatars, devatas or human gurus are successively easier approaches.  

 

While Hinduism is often thought to have a large number of equal and competing deities, it recognizes the singular omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, all-benevolent Supreme Being, within which all living beings exist as forms and expansions of that Supreme Being’s consciousness.  Recognizing this is of utmost importance when reading Vedic scriptures.  Of equal importance is understanding the terms ‘maya’, ‘samsara’ and ‘non-dualism’.

 

Vedic scriptures refer to celestial entities called devata, which translates more appropriately into ‘the shining ones’, or ‘heavenly beings’ than ‘god’, as the word is understood in western faiths.  The devata are distinguished from Ishvara (Lord of the World), the singular, universal God. The avatars are those who have been born to bring divine teachings to mankind or intervene whenever righteousness declines and wickedness is rampant.  The Trimurti consists of Brahma, the Creator aspect, Vishnu, the Sustainer aspect and Shiva, the Transformer aspect of the one and only Supreme Being.

 

Rich in beautiful ancient traditions and customs, Hinduism accounts for 4.1% of faiths practiced in the Toronto GTA.  Celebrate Toronto’s cultural diversity by exploring the many Hindu holy days and festivals.  For more details on Sanatana Dharm, Hindu culture or to locate a temple near you, consult the United Hindu Congress Canada or its directory of Hindu Temples in Toronto.