The same is the case with our religion. Other religions did not exist before the
time of their founders. Ours is a religion, which existed long before the founded
religions. Obviously, it was the only religion in the world ministering to the
spiritual needs of mankind as a whole. There was no second religion from which it was
required to be distinguished. Hence, there was no need for a name for it. It
was, and even now continues to be nameless.
We have no evidence as to when our religion
'began'. Obviously, it did not 'begin' at a particular time. It must be said
to be beginningless. It has been existing always. It is sanaatana. The
nearest Sanskrit word for religion is dharma, though dharma signifies much more than
religion. Our religion, cannot be named after a founder; for there was no
founder for it. So, if at all it is necessary to give a name to our religion, it can
only be called sanaatana dharma or the eternal religion. |
