Hinduism is the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent with more than one billion followers. Hinduism cannot be attributed to any one principle (or set of beliefs) and represents many traditions. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is a way of life, a Dharm (Sanatan Dharm), the law that governs all actions.
Origin of Hinduism or Sanatan Dharm
Nowhere in the Indian scriptures is the word "Hindu" or "Hinduism" mentioned. The term "Hindu" was coined by foreigners, most likely Muslim merchants and invaders who referred to people living across the Indus River as "Hindus".These foreigners declared Hinduism as the religion of the Hindus, but in fact before that there was no concept of religion in the Indian subcontinent. But we had a way of life called "
Sanatan Dharm", which means '
saswat niyam' (eternal rule). And "religion" roughly translates to the duties and responsibilities of a person or life or law.
Hinduism or
Sanatan Dharm is made up of diverse traditions and cannot be traced to a single founder. Some scholars believe that it has its roots in the historical Vedic religion of Iron Age India, due to which it is often called the oldest living religion in the world. Some scholars believe that Hinduism existed around 10000 BC. And that the most ancient period of Hindu scriptures - Rigveda - 6500 BC.
Key Concepts of Sanatan Dharm
Hinduism or Sanatan Dharm is a group of religious, philosophical, cultural ideas, traditions and practices that originated in India. It is characterized by the following major themes:
● Religion (morality and duty)
●Sansar (rebirth or belief in rebirth)
●Karma (law of right action, cause and effect and path of righteousness)
●Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death)
It also believes in truth, honesty, non-violence, celibacy, cleanliness, contentment, prayer, penance, perseverance, penance and pious company. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced system of ethics, meaningful rituals, philosophy and theology. It is fully responsible for the creation of core concepts and practices such as Yoga, Ayurveda, Vastu, Astrology, Yajna, Pooja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma, etc.
Hinduism or Sanatan Dharm is simply an absolute "Brahm". It does not advocate worship of any particular deity. However, representing many aspects of Brahma, the amount of devi and deities is in lakhs. The most original of the deities are the creators of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively - the creator, protector and destroyer.
It can be assumed that Sanatan Dharm itself is very vast.
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