The question arises as to what is Santana Dharma. It can safely be said that it is the Sanatana Dharma based on Vedas alone.+

The question arises as to what is Santana Dharma. It can safely be said that it is the Sanatana Dharma based on Vedas alone.

Many claim Hindusim is Sanatan Dharma. If so why call it Hindusim why not call it Sanatana Dharma? The word Hinduism is a misnomer.

The word Hinduism was first used by English writers in the 19th century to describe the multiplicity of faiths of the people of India.

In Encyclopedia Britannica says: ~ The word Hinduism was first used by the British writers in the year 1830 to describe the multiplicity of the faiths of the people of India excluding the converted Christians. (Volume -20, Reference -581)

Swami Vivekananda says: - The word Hindu is a misnomer; the correct word should be a Vedantins, a person who follows the Vedas.

Remember:~

Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma is not Hinduism. The word Hindu came originated from the word Sindhu which is another name for the river Indus. Maybe people who stayed along the Sindhu (Indus) valley came to be known as Hindus.

An exact date of the birth of Santana Dharma cannot be given. They say that Santana Dharma is as old as planet earth. Some claim it is 5000 to 7000 years old Ancient India consisted of indigenous people.

Aryans, Dravidians, Jews, Christian, and Muslims invaded India and all ingenious people were converted to different faith from time to time. Hinduism is a group of different castes, creeds, and faith.

The Hindus believed in polytheism, believing all of their Gods to be separate individuals, which was introduced much later by the founders of Hinduism which contains diverse beliefs caste, and creed.

In Reality, Hinduism is not ancient Vedic Religion or Sanatana Dharma. Hindus do not follow the Vedas. People of Inda think Hinduism is Santana Dharma or Vedic Religion but it is not so.

As one peeps into the annals of religious history, he finds that Hinduism which exists today is not a continuation of the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma, and it has no real historical foundation. Hinduism is of a much later origin.

As per the researchers, the two faiths the Hindu belief system has drifted miles away from the Vedic faith so the two seem to be two distinct faiths. It is not difficult to discover that there is no noticeable continuity of Hinduism from the Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma.

The distinctive characteristics of the Hindu belief system cannot be traced in Vedic literature. Besides, although the Vedas are revered as sacred texts, many people in India do not know what ‘belief in the Vedas’ means. In most cases, the acquaintance of the Hindus with the Vedas is limited to the few hymns that are recited in temples and household liturgies.

As one peeps into the annals of religious history, he finds that Hinduism which exists today is not a continuation of the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma, and it has no real historical foundation. Hinduism is of a much later origin.

As per the researchers, the two faiths the Hindu belief system has drifted miles away from the Vedic faith so the two seem to be two distinct faiths. It is not difficult to discover that there is no noticeable continuity of Hinduism from the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma.

The distinctive characteristics of the Hindu belief system cannot be traced in Vedic literature. Besides, although the Vedas are revered as sacred texts, many people in India do not know what ‘belief in the Vedas’ means. In most cases, the acquaintance of the Hindus with the Vedas is limited to the few hymns that are recited in temples and household liturgies.

God and Goddesses worshipped in India today are non-Vedic Gods. Such Gods and Goddesses cease to exist without the dualistic illusion. Whatever belongs to the dualistic illusion is bound to be a falsehood.

Hinduism is based on myths and thus, the people of India are unaware of the facts of their inherited religious history. The Vedic Culture and Vedas are complete in themselves but Hinduism which is a non-Vedic belief system with all rituals and conduct-oriented practices has been contributed largely by the orthodox priests to suit their convenience!

To be considered an orthodox Hindu one need only accept the authority of Shruti, however, there is no universal agreement among Hindus on what constitutes Shruti.

Vedantins consider the Vedanta, i.e., the Upanishads as Shruti but also include the Bhagavad-Gita and Brahma Sutras as authoritative.

For some Vaishnavas, the Bhagavata Purana is to be considered Veda. Some consider the Tantras are considered Veda. Thus, we find that there is ample scope for different philosophies and practices under the very broad umbrella of Hinduism.

Hinduism as we find it today is not a pure Sanatan Dharma or Vedic religion, but it mixer of different ideologies accepted by people from time to time. Thus, Hinduism is a hotchpotch mixer of many ideologies.

Hinduism is not a religion, it is a way of living for different castes and creeds following their own regional cultures and traditions in different parts of India. All the so called Hindus are divided by caste, sub-castes, and creeds within Hinduism. Thus, the real Santana Dharma, or Vedic religion is no longer in existence in its ancient grandeur as it was prior to Buddhism and Jainism.

As one goes deeper into the annals of the religion one becomes aware of the fact that Santana Dharma has no beginning. Nobody can say when it started. It is without a beginning and so without an end. It is eternal and everlasting. That which has a beginning, has also an end, as all beginnings have an end also.

Santana Dharma has no founder. All religions are known by their founders or prophets, but this is not the case with Santana Dharma. It neither has any prophet to begin it, nor any book or authorized scripture told by the prophet who got a revelation.

If the Santana Dharma has no founder but all so called Hindu religions are known by their founders or sages, therefore, Hinduism cannot be the ancient Santana Dharma. Thus, it proves that the religions founded by the Sages after the 8th century onwards are not the ancient Santana Dharma or Vedic religion. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar