Explainer: What does Sanatana Dharma mean? Does it denote Hinduism?

DMK minister Udayanidhi Stalin has set the cat among the pigeons by equating 'Sanatana Dharma', one of the oldest spiritual traditions dating back probably to 3000 BC, to 'malaria, dengue and corona' and called for its eradication from society. He had posted on X: “Sanatana Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion. Uprooting Sanatana Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality. I stand firmly by every word I have spoken. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatana Dharma.”

While the BJP slammed Udayanidhi for insulting the country’s traditions and history and for calling for the “genocide of 80% population of Bharat, who follow Sanatan Dharma”, The Federal explains the genesis and meaning of Sanatana Dharma. Does it really mean Hinduism? And, what's behind the outcry over the DMK minister's comments?

What is Sanatana Dharma?

Sanatana Dharma is not a religion or sect, though some Hindus are using it to describe Hinduism of late. Even the Collins dictionary describes it as the ‘eternal way’ or law based on universal and primordial truths and states that it is “a phrase used by some Hindus to designate Hinduism as a unified religion”.

Instead, it is a way of life, a holistic outlook on life prescribing a set of positive moral actions. As Justice K Chandru puts it succinctly, 'Sanatana Dharma is a certain code of conduct’. According to Chandru, it has nothing to do with the Hindu religion. "This was said by BR Ambedkar, while the RSS too said caste has nothing to do with Hinduism and was invented by Brahmin pundits," added Chandru.

What does it have to do with caste?

The term 'Sanatana Dharma' first appears in 'Manusmriti' and in the 'Bhagavada Purana'. According to Justice Chandru, after the formation of caste (varna) hierarchy, Sanatana Dharma prescribed norms for each caste and made the system rigid placing the Brahmins high on the ladder. While author Devdutt Pattanaik posted on Xthat Sanatan Dharma can mean eternal truth; religion of soul and rebirth (atma-gyaan); belief in caste (varna-shrama dharma) and belief in untouchability and purity. 

Meaning of sanatana and dharma

To further explain the transcendental concept of the term, Sanatana means eternal, that which cannot be destroyed, and it means forever. Dharma means that which sustains and upholds and can be interpreted as duty. What Sanatana Dharma upholds is to reach a higher consciousness. The objective is to free every atom of existence in its own way from karma and help it to achieve its own state of perfection. It involves performing duties in sync with one's atman (soul) and these duties include cultivating virtues such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings, being pure, generating goodwill, having mercy, patience, forbearance, showing self-restraint, being generous, and adhering to asceticism.

Most followers of this tradition prefer to call it Sanatana-Dharma rather than using the more recent term, “Hinduism”, which they consider has sectarian connotations.

Santana dharma got claimed by neo-Hindus

In the late 19th century, the term was revived during the Hindu revivalism movement as a name for Hinduism as a religion in order to avoid using the term Hindu, which is of non-native Persian origin. And since the word Hindu really stems from the river Sindhu.

Today, Sanatana Dharma is associated only with Hinduism. Sanatanis and reformists (such as the Arya Samaj, the Radha Soamis and the Ramakrishna Mission) have competed with each other to build up their followers with their own interpretations for more than a century creating deep divides in Hindu society.

Some people believe it is a religion

Some people believe the Sanatana Dharma is the only religion in the world. It was called the Sanatan Vedic religion and adherents had to live life in the manner described in the Vedas. Sanatana Dharma talks about the Vedas, the supreme one and also about the ways to reach him.

What's the politics over Sanatana Dharma?

The BJP is capitalising on Udayanidhi’s recent remark to discredit the Opposition by saying they are against the Hindu religion. The BJP Is deliberating linking the term to Hindu religion, which it is not. Like Congress MP Karti Chidambaram had said, “Sanathana Dharma is nothing but code for a Caste Hierarchical Society. All those batting for it are hankering for the Good Ole Days! Caste is the Curse of India. In the common parlance of TN 'Sanathana Dharma' means Caste Hierarchical Society. Why is that everyone who is batting for 'SD' comes from the privileged segment who are beneficiaries of the 'Hierarchy' . (sic)

While Justice Chandru explained why the BJP is upset with Udayanidhi for bringing up the term. "They know that this will stir up discussions around Sanatan Dharma, which will only lead to a divide on the religion itself. That is why they are attacking the DMK," he pointed out.