Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism is a way of eternal life that believes in Karma, spiritual practices, enhancing internal and external purities. Sanatani Lifestyle presented itself as a conqueror of the Covid19 Virus through its miraculous methods and their concerning significance. The traditions of Sanatana Dharma is acclaimed critically by modern research and scientific studies.
The world is devastated due to the ongoing critical circumstances created by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The concerned Pandemic arises because its spread is mighty and efficient. The Corona Virus is an infectious disease that causes mild or sometimes severe respiratory illnesses.
The Sanatana Dharma consists of a collection of principles, rules and norms upon which the world is emphasizing these days and finding it suitable to tackle not only Covid19 but several other diseases too. Let’s have a look at those principles of Sanatana Dharma which the world is practising these days:
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Namaste:
These days, most countries express greeting and convey their respect by maintaining social distance through the traditional Indian greeting, i.e. “Namaste”, also known as “Namaskar”. These days, several world leaders greet people by joining their hands instead of saying “Hello” or “Hi” by shaking hands.
The “Namaste” or “Namaskar” is the Sanatani way of salutation and greeting. The scientific reason for practising Namaste is that this practice brings both the palms and fingers together and points upward closely towards the chest. Through this process, the pressure points on the hand got activated, which is also popularly called Namaskar Mudra. The Namaste implies that “I bow to the God in you”.
Performing Namaste helps maintain physical distance and attracts the souls, as it develops the feeling of gratitude and causes a reduction in the ego, which makes the bond stronger.
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Worshipping Nature:
The ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic makes us worship Nature and mother earth. Due to the Pandemic, various countries imposed lockdown, and Curfews, so utilizing the opportunity environment turned itself into a healing mode. The best example is that scientific studies confirm the healing of the Ozone Layer, the pollution level of most countries suffers shrinkage, birds witnessed chanting and singing, resulting in azure skies and pristine water bodies.
The Sanatan Dharma teaches us to respect Nature and stay connected to it, as under Sanatana Dharma, Nature is believed as a God. The first written document on nature care is found in Rigveda as ‘Aranyani Suktam’. Apart from the literal meaning of worshipping Nature, ethos and morals obligate us to thank or respect natural habitation for what they have given us. The principles of Sanatan Dharma reveres the rivers as a mother like “Maa Ganga”, plants like Tulsi, Peepal, Banyan, Neem are regarded for their medicinal properties. Similarly, the mountains, forests, and wildlife maintain the ecosystem and natural balance.
The teachings of Sanatana Dharma has emphasized upon illustrious significance and importance of Nature as most of the devotional and ritualistic practices take place through natural well being.
According to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 3.14, All the living creatures survives on food, which comes from rain; rain arrives by the performance of sacrifice (Yagya), sacrifice is produced by performance of duties(Karma). The Shloka reads:-
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भव: | यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञ: कर्मसमुद्भव: ||
Burning Dead (Antyesti):
The world has different rituals and beliefs about the funeral of the dead. The Covid-19 teaches us to burn the dead (Antyesti) as the virus can infect the others if it persists in the body, the process of burning process neutralizes the virus, and the other remains harmless. The world is approaching this notion continuously for the sake of others to be safe. The Pandemic has created a catastrophe, and due to the massive death counts, the cremations spot are also filled enough.
The Sanatan Dharma had the notion of Antyesti (burning the dead) by surrendering the individual to the Holy Fire. Fire (Agni) is believed to be holy in the Sanatan Ideology and helps in earnest prayer to purify the soul. Through performing the “Antim Sanskar,” the one birth to conquer the earth, after the death to heaven says Baudhayana Pitrmedha-Sutra.
According to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 2.22, the old clothes are cast off, and the new one wore, the soul leaves the body after the death and enters a new one. The Shloka reads as:-
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि | तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही ||
Yogic Exercises and Pranayama:
The world is efficiently shifting towards the practice of Yoga and Pranayam. Since the outbreak of the Pandemic, the practice of Yoga has recorded a tremendous boost. Modern science also affirms that yogic exercises and Pranayam help boost immunity. Corona Virus attacks the respiratory organs, sometimes resulting in death. Yoga is the practice that activates several glands and secretes those hormones, which help in calming and distressing people as it is believed that the mind also plays a significant role in healing.
The Sanatan Dharma widely believes in the Pranayam and Yogic exercises. Yoga constitutes the union of Jivatma (Individual Soul), Paramatma (Supreme Soul) and the Dharam attached to one supreme power. Yoga is the way to find peace, health, awareness, and attainment of God (Paramatma). It is believed that the Hindu Monks in ancient times (Sadhu) used to be in deep meditation for around 1-2 weeks without eating or drinking anything they used to make their food through the air.
The Yogic Asanas and Pranayam trigger one’s respiratory ability overall functions and boost attachment towards God. Pranayam like KapalBhati, Anlom Vilom, Bhastrika contributes to inner strength, whereas yogic exercises like Adhomukhswanasana (Downward dog pose), Makarasana (Crocodile Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend), Ardha Matsyendrasana, and Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) provide fitness mantra.
According to the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 2.40, in Karma Yoga, no effort is ever lost, and there is no harm. Even a little practice of this discipline protects one from great fear of birth and death. The Shloka reads as:-
नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते | स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ||
Being Vegetarian:
Nowadays, the world started giving preference to a vegetarian diet rather than focusing on a non-vegetarian diet. Some research also affirms that the transmission of Covid-19 is not only between humans to humans, but it also transmits between Humans to animals. The medical fraternity and Scientists found that eating non-vegetarian food is not fine during the Pandemic, mainly red and fatty meats. Vegetarian food helps boost immunity like Holy Basil (Tulsi), essential in these harsh times.
The Sanatana Dharma believes in non-violence (Ahimsa); as a result, it prevents and criminalizes the violence against innocent animals for joyful eating. In Sanatana Dharma, killing animals for attaining joyful eating is considered a sin against God’s creation. Vegetarian products are easy to digest, even increase stamina and energy, build a healthy and longer lifespan, and lower the risk of heart disease. Research also affirms that vegetarian products are rich in minerals and nutrients compared to non-vegetarian diets.
According to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 3.13, all those who offer food to sacrifice are released from all kinds of sins, but those who cook and eat for personal enjoyment eats only sins. The Shloka reads as:-
यज्ञशिष्टाशिन: सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषै: | भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्
According to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 9.26, all those devotees of me who offer me a leaf, a flower, a fruit and even water, I will accept as a symbol of love by my devotees in pure consciousness. The Shloka reads as:-
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति | तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: ||
According to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 18.47, it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection. The Shloka reads as:-
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्
Therefore, through these miraculous results, we can conclude that the Covid-19 Pandemic proves the invincibility of Sanatana Lifestyle or Sanatana Dharma in the whole world. The beauty of Sanatana Dharma lies in its values, ethos and principles. The Veda’s, Upanishad’s, Smriti’s and Gita are the shepherd of Sanatana Dharma. The Sanatana Dharma doesn’t believe in forcing someone to follow it; instead, people like to be attracted to its unbeatable and unchallenged significance.
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