Védic, Sanātan or Mānav Dharma
The Sanskrut root word Vid means to know and Véd means (sacred) knowledge. There are four Véda-s: Roog (Rig), Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva. Véda-s were revealed to Rooshi-s (rishi) during meditation thousands of years ago. The knowledge of Véda-s is timeless. The end (anta) portion of Véda-s is called Vedānta ( Ved + anta). Vedānta is also called Upanishad. The Upanishad-s are declarations of the highest spiritual truths and a guide for
‘How to live our life’. Most of us ask our children to read Bhagavad Gitā when we are on the deathbed. It is like reading the instruction manual for a super computer when we are ready to throw it in a junk yard. Bhagawad Gitā is the cream of the Upanishad-s. Pearls of wisdom are also found in Rāmāyan, Mahābhārat, Bhāgavat Purān, etc.
Védic, Sanātan and Mānav are also Sanskrut words used for our Dharma.
‘ Sanātan = eternal - A Dharma that has been there from the beginning of time or one that has no beginning or end.
Dharma = code of ethics, code of behavior, religion, virtues, beliefs, moral obligations, traditions, righteous actions that sustain and support life, and hold a community together.
Sanātan Dharma = Dharma or code of ethics which has always existed.
Mānav = Man (includes woman).
Mānav Dharma = religion or code of ethics, or code of behavior for mankind.
The original people of India were called Āryan-s or the ‘noble ones’ and the country was
‘ Āryāvarta’. The Āryan-s did not come from anywhere but had lived there for millennia and had developed a well advanced civilization. Other names for their religion were – Sanātan Dharma (eternal religion), Védic Dharma (religion based on Véda-s), Ārya Dharma (religion of the Āryan-s), or Mānav Dharma (religion of mankind). The name of the country ‘India’ was coined by foreigners. The Indian names for India are ‘ Āryāvarta’ (the land of Āryan-s) or ‘ Bhāratvarsha’ (the land of king Bharat).
A major river ran through the North-Western part of Bhāratvarsha, called Sindhu (Indus River). People living along the River Sindhu were called ‘Hindus’ by foreigners. Most of the foreign invaders came to India from the North-West and had to cross this River. The religion followed by people of India was called “Hinduism” by the foreigners.
1. Sāmānya Dharma – duties that are common to all people.
2. Vishésha Dharma - is the special duties of husband, wife, child, student, teacher, farmer, business person, king, soldier, etc.
All these duties are described in ancient Indian literature.
What happens when “Dharma” is not followed? There are many examples in history of societies and civilizations that have fallen apart. Even today we can see so many individuals, communities, and countries wasting their resources after unethical projects and leading their families & people to disaster.