Hinduism ↘↖
Sanatana Dharma or the eternal function of the soul
Sanātana Dharma or Sanatan-dharma means “eternal religion” or “the eternal function of the soul”, comprises of spiritual laws which govern the human existence. Sometimes we identify with a particular faith or religion, which is changeable, but our eternal religion remains integral to our real self or soul, which is unchangeable.
Sanatana Dharma, also meaning “Eternal or Universal Righteousness” is the original name of what is now popularly called Hinduism. Sanatana Dharma is to human life what natural laws are to the physical phenomena. Just as the phenomena of gravitation existed before it was discovered, the spiritual laws of life are eternal laws which existed before they were discovered by the ancient rishis (sages) for the present age during the Vedic period.
Sanatana Dharma declares that something cannot come out of nothing and, therefore, the universe itself is the manifestation of the Divine being. This truth forms the invocation of the Isha Upanishad (a Hindu scripture):
Poornam-adah, poornam-idam, poor-nath poornam-udachyate.
Poor-nasya poornam-adaya, poornam-eva-va-sishyate.
That is full; this is full. The full comes out of the full.
Taking the full from the full, the full itself remains.
This verse expresses the mystery of creation. This universe comes forth from the Divine, yet the universe takes nothing from the Divine and adds nothing to It. Divine remains ever the same. Since the universe has come forth from the Divine, all things and beings are sacred and must be treated so in human thought and action. The Divine sleeps in minerals, awakens in plants, walks in animals and thinks in humans.
Sanatana Dharma looks upon a person as a part and parcel of the mighty Whole, but never regards him as “the Measure of all things.” In the West, “person” is a supreme and final value, while Sanatana Dharma regards person as a part of the Whole, having the same vital essence as all other human and sub-human creatures of the universe. This cosmic view of Hinduism transcends the sectarian or group dogmas and paves a way for the coexistence of all creatures under the Vedic principle of Vasudev Kutumbhkam, meaning “The Universe is One Family.” This principle guides the humankind towards universal harmony through acceptance and tolerance.
Sanatana Dharma recognizes that the Ultimate Reality, which is the ground of infinite potentiality and actualization, cannot be limited by any name or concept. The potential for human wholeness (as in enlightenment, salvation, liberation, transformation, blessedness, nirvana, moksha) is present in every human being. No race or religion is superior and no color or creed is inferior. All humans are spiritually united like the drops of water in an ocean.
In a nutshell, Hinduism = Sanātana Dharma = Eternal Religion = Righteous Action + Mental Virtue.
Gayatri Mantra - For awakening divinity within oneself
The Gayatri Mantra is a highly revered mantra in Hinduism, written originally in Sanskrit language and found part of all four Vedas, is for awakening divinity within oneself. It is considered to be a supreme mantra for gaining spiritual enlightenment. Listen to the chanting of the Gayatri mantra here.
In Sanskrit:
In English:
Aum Bhur Bhuva Svah,
Tat Savitor Varenyam,
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi,
Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat.
Word for word explanation in English:
Aum - Pranava, The word that is God the Almighty
Bhur - God who is eternal, Embodiment of vital or spiritual energy
Bhuva - God who is the creator, Destroyer of suffering
Svah - God who is Independent, Embodiment of happiness
Tat - That eternal God
Savitor - That creative principle of light manifested through Sun
Varenyam - That Supreme God propiated by the highest Gods
Bhargo - That light that bestows wisdom, bliss and everlasting life
Devasya - The light of that effulgent God
Dhimahi - We mediate
Dhiyo - May our intellect
Yo Naha - Be directed by that lord
Prachodayat - Towards Illumination
In the Gayatri Mantra, the unity of body, mind and soul is depicted in the first line,”Bhur-Bhuva-Svah.” The next line, “Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi”, means “Throw away the darkness.” “Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat” means “Let the effulgence of the Divine dispel the darkness of ignorance.”
Long Invocation of the Gayathri Manthra points to the seven worlds or lokas, as described below:
bhuhu - earth, the physical world
bhuvaha - astral/desire/breath, the world of becoming
suvaha - mental, the world of thinking
mahaha - causal, silent mind, the world of emotion
janaha - world of creative generation
tapaha - world of intuition
satyam - world of absolute truth
The Gayatri Mantra says, “I invoke the Earth Plane, The Astral Plane, The Celestial Plane, The Plane of Spiritual Balance, The Plane of Human Spiritual Knowledge, The Plane of Spiritual Austerites, and The Plane of Ultimate Truth. Oh, great Spiritual Light which is the brilliance of all Divinity, we meditate upon You. Please illumine our minds.”
Read more about the Gayatri Mantra or listen to the chant daily as you meditate.
Rainbow frog worshipped in India?
A frog that constantly changes colour is being worshipped as a God in Kerala, India. Hundreds of curious followers flock to Reji Kumar’s home in Thiruvananthapuram every day to pray and ask for miracles from the rainbow frog. The frog was a dazzling white colour when Reji first spotted it. Then it changed to yellow and had gone grey by the time he got it home.
This might sound so crazy to most folks, but if you understand the concept of omnipresence of God in Hinduism, where God is present everywhere and even in in-animate objects, this might tickle your higher realization.
