There is a heated debate these days between those who want to eradicate Sanatana Dharma as a scourge and a menace and those who live and breathe the faith in Sanatana Dharma. I am myself a Sanatani Bharatiya as you can see from my signature at the end.
I thought I would use the Srimad Bhagavad Gita (The Holy Song of God) to quote some verses to explain Sanatana Dharma.
Here goes:
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः ॥ ४-१३॥
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः ॥ १८-४५॥
Meaning: Varna, the Sanatana word for social division, is God-made and is based on Guna= nature or aptitude and Karma=deeds/works done by man. A painter, a scholar and a warrior are all differently gifted in Guna and Karma.
So there is no question of any birthright of entitlement (even in political families) if there is no ability.
Irrespective of his Varna, each human being can perform his Karma and attain success and perfection.
This is as close as it can ever get to the most liberal and democratic mindset possible, and it was stated long before other civilisations thought of social equality.
So Sanatana Dharma is the most egalitarian social order based on merit.
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः ।
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ॥ १२-१५॥
Meaning: If anyone wants to be a true Sanatani and please God, he should neither provoke hate in society towards himself by his words and deeds, nor feel or express hate towards anyone. He should be beyond wild elation, anger, fear, or agitation in all circumstances. This will enable him to think and act clearly and purely.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥ ६-१७॥
Meaning: A Sanatani pursues a lifestyle without excess in eating or fasting, play or work, sleep or wakefulness, because moderation is the way to overcome sorrow. This lifestyle is considered the best even in modern medicine!
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः ।
महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥ ३-३७॥
Meaning: Man has deadlier enemies within himself than outside. They are lust and greed, anger and hatred. They instigate avarice and violence. They consume the man like a big fire and cause him to fall into evil.
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् ।
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ॥ ७-१०॥
Meaning: God is the Sanatana=eternal and indestructible seed of life in every being without exception. God manifests in everyone as the faculties of intelligence and the radiant life potential. In Sanatana Dharma, all are equal and equally contain godliness.
What is Dharma? Dharma is one's duty performed to one's best ability as a Yoga based on one's Guna and Karma. See what God says:
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति ।
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति ॥ ९-३१॥
Meaning: Irrespective of anyone's history, if he becomes dedicated in thought and word and deed to Dharma, he should be considered holy. He shall quickly attain the ultimate beatitude. In fact, Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in this verse, "Arjuna, know this as my vow that my devotee (a true Sanatana Dharma follower) will never perish!"
In summary, what our holiest book, the Srimad Bhagavad Gita says, is this:
Sanatana = The eternal seed of godliness in everyone.
Dharma = The way of life to realise life's greatest potential irrespective of birth.
🙏🙏🙏
