what is sanathana dharma

Sanatana Dharma is a Sanskrit term used by Hindus to refer to Hinduism. It can be translated variously as “eternal religion” or “eternal law”, “unshakeable, venerable order”, or “eternal duty of God” . It denotes the “eternal” or absolute set of duties or religiously ordained practices incumbent upon all Hindus. According to the notion of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal and intrinsic inclination of the living entity (atman) is to perform seva (service) . Sanatana Dharma refers to universal and axiomatic laws that are beyond temporary belief systems. It includes two types of duties: Sanatana-dharma, which are duties performed according to ones spiritual (constitutional) identity as atman (Self) and are thus the same for everyone, and Varnashrama-dharma, which are duties performed according to one’s material (conditional) nature and specific to the individual at that particular time. Most adherents prefer to call their tradition Sanatana-dharma rather than using the more recent term, “Hinduism,” which they consider has sectarian connotations.