Friends,
CAN THERE BE 'DHARMA' WITHOUT SCRIPTURES?
Love & rgds
Friends,
We all agree that 'dharma' is eternal it was there even before the vedic period so in effect the eternal laws [dharma] of existence has nothing to do with any particular period or religion; meaning 'sanatana dharma' is a common term for that eternal law and cannot be claimed to be associated with the one who coined the word, like the word 'GOD' that it is for only Christians and not others.
Friends your comments/perception/views??
Love & rgds
Ya. In the first post the subject was 'dharma'. Then in the subsequent post, shown above, the subject became 'sanatana dharma'
On this matter, I follow Knachi Paramacharya's views given in his book "Hindu Dharma". I note a few points from that book.
1. "Dharma is that which protects. Everyone, irrespective of any other thing, will be attracted to dharma because of discontentment with all things material".
Dharma Alone Protects from the Chapter "Religion In General", in Hindu Dharma : kamakoti.org:
2."Religion is the means of realizing dharma, artha, kama and moksa. These four are called purusarthas". And "The great understand the word dharma itself to mean religion."
The Purpose of Religion from the Chapter "Religion In General", in Hindu Dharma : kamakoti.org:
3. Hindu Religion is a religion without a name. Neither Hindu nor Sanatana words characterise this religion as in Vedas. It is Santana dharma as it is primeval. We do not know who founded this religion and when.
The Religion without a Name from the Chapter "The Vedic Religion: Introductory", in Hindu Dharma : kamakoti.org:
4. There are certain distinctive features of the Sanatana dharma called Hindu dharma.
Distinctive Features of Sanathan Dharama from the Chapter "The Vedic Religion: Introductory", in Hindu Dharma : kamakoti.org:
5. Vedas are the root scriptures. Regarding the nature of the Vedas, the following is said:
All sounds originate in space. From them arose creation. According to science, the cosmos was produced from the vibrations in space. By virtue of their austerities the sages had the gift of seeing the mantras in space, the mantras that liberate men from this creation. The Vedas are apauruseya (not the work of any human author) and are the very breath of the Paramatman in his form as space. The sages saw them and made a gift of them to the world.
The Religion without a Name from the Chapter "The Vedic Religion: Introductory", in Hindu Dharma : kamakoti.org:
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The whole point is that the Sanatana Dharma has lot many distinctive features that are surely different from other religions. And this is as per the dharma guru of Hindus. And if one studies genuine Hindu gurus the views will remain more or less same.
Sanatana dharma or Vaidika dharma or Hindu dharma has both General (sAmanya) and the Particular (vishesha) features.