Sanātan Dharma: A Historical Perspective - Paperback

The Hindu Dharma is Sanatan, eternal. That the Ultimate Reality

is expressed by the Rigvedic expression Tad ekam, That One. It is

without attributes and without form, yet is manifested in many forms

with different attributes and names. It is all pervasive and permeates

all animate beings and inanimate matter. Only one fourth of it is the

phenomenal universe and the rest is beyond. It is Purna. Whole, and

that Purna should be realized. The Self-realization is possible with the

grace of the Ishta-devata inhered in the Gurumantra. The guru chooses

the best path of the Self-realization for his disciple, as there are many

paths. Belief in Avatarhood, Rebirth and Karma, divinity of the nature

and ritual worship is integral to the Hindu Dharma. The Rigveda Samhita

is the source book. Other Samhitas, all Brahmanas, all Aranyakas and all

Upanishads are its exegesis. The Gita is one sacred book that all Hindus

must study, being the teaching of Lord Krsna the God incarnate. The

Hindu Dharma is a way of life. The worship of the divine in any form is

the worship of Tad ekam.

The Hindu Dharma is like an ocean into which rivers and streams of

religious beliefs and practices have merged. From very ancient times

different groups of people came, settled down, developed their languages

and religious beliefs. These religious beliefs and practices did not

vanish rather all intermingled and merged into the eternal truth called

Sanatan Dharma.

karmanyevadhikaraste ma phalesu kadacana।

ma karmaphalaheturbhurma te sangostvakarmani॥ 2-47*

To work alone you have the right, and not to the fruits. Do not be

impelled by the fruits of work, nor have attachment to inaction.