Article source – Essential Of Hinduism by Swami Bhoomananda
Tirtha Maharaj - In The book - The Science Called Hinduism - The Play of the
Divine in the form of the Rishis - Vanamali page xvii – xviii.
Hinduism is called Sanatana for two reasons. Sanatanam
karoti iti sanatanah. It makes its votary feel and realize that his personality
is, in truth, immortal. He is not the body. He only has his body, like his
house or car. The ‘presence and power’ that animate the body is not physical,
but spiritual. Different from matter and energy, which constitute the body, he
is actually unborn, undying, eternal and everywhere present. The inner consciousness
that he verily is, makes him immortal.
Equally so, Hinduism is Sanatana, eternal, because it
relates to the mind and intelligence of the human, which have not changed over
ages. The ancient human had the same emotional mind and rational intelligence,
which alone his modern counterpart also has. Values which relate to these
changeless constituents of the human personality are naturally eternal.
Another reason, why Hinduism is eternal is because of its
scientific nature. As for the scientific nature of Hinduism, it rests upon the
observations our senses make, and the inferences the mind and intelligence
arrive at on the basis of such observations. In fact, these are the two canons
on which all objective sciences also subsist. That the objective science uses
instruments like the telescope and microscope makes no difference to the fundamental
nature and validity of both, namely science and spirituality. What employs the
instruments are the senses in oneself. And it is the mind and intelligence
within that employ the senses. Thus, the grounds on which the objective science
and the subjective science (Hinduism), rests are exactly the same.
Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) lays down a set of common
disciplines for all people, despite their bodily or inner differences. They are
non-hurting, truthfulness, non-stealing, cleanliness and control of the senses
are the common disciplines and values meant for all categories of people.