“Sanatan” means original, universal, eternal; “Dharma” is duty; ‘Sanatan Dharma’ is the umbrella term for ancient name of “Hinduism”. It is the path that originated from the original, universal, eternal truth, values, laws, in the human society. An individual’s dharma consists of duties that sustain him/her, according to his/her innate material and spiritual characteristics. The Rishi-Muni and Yogis dutifully practiced spirituality to harness positive energy that binds our culture to benefit the human kind.
Sanatan-dharma is a person’s eternal and intrinsic inclination of the spiritual entity (atman) to perform service (seva). It is a universal duty that goes beyond our belief system to sustain our existence. Practices of Sanatan Dharma are various rituals in festivals which are scientifically sound and relate to positive flow of energy and power.
Hindu Dharma is Sanatan Dharma. Over the centuries, it has benefitted human existence by harnessing the energy of the Universe and channelizing it for evolution of body-mind-spirit complex. Cyclic occurrence of events, festivals and rituals is a means to gain spirituality.
Though Hinduism is understood as Sanatan Dharma yet it is not limited to any particular religion, race or country.