1. – An Introduction – Multi-faceted Vedic Hinduism (Sanaatana Dharma)
Presented by:
M.G. Prasad

2. What does Sanaatana Dharma mean?
Sanaatana is Perennial and Dharma is universal principles and laws that govern life
Refers to the whole process and values of life starting from inception of an idea, activity, results and beyond
Provides a vision and a way for practice in life, both at an individual and collective level.
Perennial philosophy, refers to the vast, yet integrated, body of knowledge contained in the Vedas and related Sanskrit literature, which has perennial and universal relevance to human life.
Dharma in life is the whole process of activity starting from idea, intentions, thoughts, speech, action, reactions, situations, effects, etc.
The word Sanaatana refers to the perennial relevance of such a process.
Sanaatana Dharma provides an aim for life (both at an individual and collective level). This aim is long term happiness or eternal peace with the presence of short term needs at all levels namely physical, mental and spiritual.
Sanaatana Dharma provides a reference for measuring the values of activities of life.

3. What are the Objectives of Life (Purushaartha)?
Dharma: Laws of Life, Nature and Universe
Artha: Wealth, Possession and Power
Kama: Desire and Ambition
Moksha: State of contentment and tranquility
As laws of life, Dharma is the first law and the most important for all. It defines the basis of the purpose and the values underlying all actions. Dharma helps us in discrimination and in the choice of actions, including Artha, Kama and Moksha. Acquisition of Artha and the fulfillment of Kama should not be independent of Dharma, however it is, at least, to be remembered that Moksha is the ultimate aim of life.
The above order is very important and should not be interchanged.

4. What are the major Stages in Life (Ashrama)
Bramhacharya: deals with the younger years of a student’s life (education).
Grihasta: deals with married life (social responsibility).
Vanaprastha: deals with later years of life (contemplation).
Sanyaasa: deals with the senior years of life (renunciation).
Bramhacharya: deals with the younger years of a student’s life. In this stage, self-control, discipline and learning are the most important aspects to be adhered to. This education becomes the foundation for a meaningful future life.
Grihasta: deals with married life. During this stage the rightful desires and wealth are pursued by proper means, and when achieved are enjoyed properly in the society. The individual is fully committed to their family and the society.
Vanaprastha: deals with senior years of life when detachment from family pleasures and contemplation on philosophical thoughts are emphasized.
Sanyaasa: deals with the still later years of life when the only aim is to realize God with no other commitments (renunciation).
The above order is general guideline but it is possible to become a Sanyaasin directly from any stage

5. How do India’s Rishis define what goal of life is?
“It is the view of the Rishis (enlightened beings) of Bharata that spiritual enlightenment is the ultimate goal of life. That is attainment of ultimate joy (Ananda). That is liberation (Mukti). Spiritual knowledge (Jnana) is that by which one merges into the light of Atman (One Source) as a river merges into the ocean.
The Rishis or jnanis having attained this ultimate goal have brought forth the knowledge in science and arts (Vijnana) keeping in line with their roots in spiritual knowledge (Jnana) because Vijnana is the manifestation of Jnana.
It is for this reason an in-depth sincere study of knowledge in science and arts at any stage of manifestation will lead to attainment of the ultimate goal of spiritual knowledge (Jnana)” Sriranga Sadguru

6. Vedic Knowledge as an Inverted Tree
Bramhan - God
Non - Dual Reality
4 Vedas
Vedic literature
The Roots above refer to the One Source (Bramhan).
The one main body of transcendental (Apaurusheya) knowledge - Vedas - is classified into 4 major Vedas
Rik, Yajus, Sama, Atharva.
The Vedic literature deals with all aspects of life including
spirituality, philosophy, yoga,
religion, rituals, temples,
arts and culture, music, dance,
grammar, pronunciation, metre
astrology, astronomy, logic, law
medicine, surgery, technology,
martial arts, military strategy, etc.
Integrated knowledge of Spirituality and Science

7. And, Yoga* is the practice of Vedic knowledge in all aspects of life
“ The customs and habits, the dress and ornaments, the manners and etiquette, the conceptions of right and wrong and of good and evil, the learning, literature and the various arts like music, the political thoughts, views regarding all actions and the consecratory ceremonies, etc., of the Indians (Bharatiyas), are all permeated like the warp and woof by Ashtanga Yoga.”
Sriranga Sadguru
*Yoga means the union of the
individual soul with the Supreme

8. Ashtanga Yoga is the practical approach of Vedanta
1. Yama
Ahimsa (nonviolence),
Satya (Truth),
Asteya (non-covetedness),
Bramhacharya (continence),
Aparigriha (non-receiving)
2. Niyama
Shoucha (cleanliness),
Santosha (contentment),
Tapah (austerity),
Swadhyaya (Scriptural study),
Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender to Supreme God)
3. Asana Firm postures
4. Pranayama Vital force regulation
5. Pratyahara Withdrawal of senses from object
6. Dharana Fixing the mind on a sacred object
7. Dhyana Unbroken flow of mind on a
sacred object
8. Samadhi Original state of bliss

9. Vedic Hindu Temple designed on Yogic principles of the Human Body
Human body with chakras - (Abode of God) Devaalaya
God indwelling in human being - (Deity) Murti
Feet - Rajagopura
Hands - Prakaara
Abdomen - Mandapa
Heart as Antaraala (entrance to Garbha Griha)
Crown of the head - sanctum sanctorum - Garbha Griha
Rituals - a guide to inner worship
All actions in life are as sacred as those performed in a temple.
Rituals performed in a temple guide inner worship in a devotee.

10. Monotheistic Vedic Hindu Trinity describes Manifestations of the One Source
Non-dual Reality - GOD - with inseparable masculine principle and feminine energy.
Bramhan, the formless, manifests in different forms to ease the seeker’s understanding of life and universe.
Saadhakaanam hitarthaaya, Brahmano rupakalpana.
Bramhan, the formless, is assigned forms to ease the aspirant’s understanding of Vedic principles. Bramhan is derived from Brahat, meaning the largest thing conceivable by man
Bramha-Saraswati represent Generation principles. Creation requires correct knowledge.
Vishnu-Laxmi represent Operation principles. Preservation requires sustenance.
Shiva-Parvati represent Dissolution principles. Constructive-destruction requires tremendous energy.

11. Goddess Saraswati symbolizes Divine Knowledge
Saraswati means the one who gives the knowledge of one’s own Self and Universe.
Saraswati means the one who gives the essence (Sara) of one’s own Self (Swa).
Lotus seat denotes the aspirant’s heart.
The four hands signify Her divinity. Right hand has the rosary (akshamala) - the alphabets of a language (Sanskrit).
The musical instrument (Veena) embodies the spinal cord important in physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of life.
The book (Vedas) in Her left hand denotes knowledge.
The swan (soul) as Her vehicle symbolizes the devotee’s ability to absorb the good and reject evil. (Mythologically, the swan can separate milk mixed in water).
The peacock signifies the joy of knowledge.
Her white clothes indicate the purity of thought in pursuit of knowledge.

12. Lord Nataraja, Divine Dancer, in Spiritual Bliss of Perfect Yogic Balance
Dwarf - demon of forgetfulness
Snake - Kundalini yogic energy
Drum - prana energy
Fire - apana energy
Two hands in the middle - blessing of fearlessness
Head Ornaments - Sun, moon and fire (Ref: Sriranga Sadguru)
The world and heart of a devotee are a stage. Divine dance represents the vision of life and activity through the dance of the all pervading God.
The drum and the fire in His right and left hands signify the vital forces - prana and apana. The union of prana and apana is one of the goals of yoga.
The snake signifies the yogic energy as Kundalini.
The blessing of fearlessness to a devotee is indicated by His two hands in the middle.
The dwarf-demon being crushed is Apasmara represents forgetfulness of one’s innate divinity.
This ignorance makes humans not conscious of the indwelling divinity, their actions causing misery and suffering. The darkness Apasmara is dispelled by the Cosmic divine dance of Lord Nataraja, which brings spiritual enlightenment.

13. And, Lord Nataraja illustrates scientific principles of Speech sounds
The divine dance of Lord Nataraja, Lord of Dance, signifies the yogic process of self realization.
Chakras represent the energy centers. The importance of various chakras in spiritual path is well known.
The production of various seed-sounds in relation to various chakras starting from Muladhara at the base are shown.
In the Vedic tradition, the human spinal cord is represented as the musical instrument (Veena).
The 24 frets of the instrument are analogous to the 24 cartilages in the spinal cord. The number 24 also relates to the 24 syllables in the VedicGayatriMantra (Ref:Sriranga Sadguru, Amaravani)
Chakras
Veena

14. Vocal and instrumental music expresses the experiential aspects of Vedic Hinduism
Vocal music has its origin in Vedic chants
Melody characterizes instrumental music; rhythm the Purcussion instruments
The design of Mridangam and Tabla have both melody and rhythm. This is from the tonal combination like string instruments. n

15. Sound carries spiritual vibrations
Shankha
Shankha (Conch Shell) produces an unusually pure tone
Reflects the sound of OM
Used in Hindu rituals
Sound interacts with the flame to bring about various shapes
A particular tone breaks the flame into seven tongues (Tyndall effect)
The interaction of Veda mantras and flame in a yajna possibly explains the appearance of the forms of the devatas
Tyndall effect

16. Veda Mantras interacting with flame… Appearance of Goddess Lakshmi during a Yajna
An example: The interaction of Veda mantras and spiritual vibrations has a role in the appearance of the forms of the devatas and devis

17. Vedic Triadic Approach to Seek Spiritual Knowledge
Three essential components for making an effort to acquire any knowledge, particularly spiritual knowledge are:
The Sadguru refers to the guiding energy in the form of mother, father, acharya, spiritual mentor
Shastras refers to the body of knowledge (Vedic literature)
Anubhava means the experience of the seeker
Eventually, the seeker should advance towards spiritual enlightenment.

18. Vedic Hinduism (Sanaatana Dharma) has universal and contemporary relevance
The multifaceted Vedic Hinduism or Sanaatana Dharma, through its universal principles of life and science, shows the ability to sustain the timeline through past, present, future and beyond.
It is perceived and spoken of in different names and forms.
The basic human problems need to be addressed at all levels including the development of an individual with the global consciousness.
“Ekam Sat Vipra, Bahudha Vadanti” - The Truth is One. The Realized Ones describe the One Truth in several ways.

19. Multidisciplinary Team
Acknowledgement and thanks
Dr. M.G. Prasad
Anju Bhargava
Chetan Bhatt
Geeta Prasad
Pallavi Bhatt
For additional information contact:
Dr. Prasad
A. Bhargava
C. Bhatt

20. – An Introduction – Multi-faceted Vedic Hinduism (Sanaatana Dharma)