One in many

I keep writing for the sake of bringing some context, or simplicity to the deep and mysterious philosophies of Sanatana-dharma. I grew up in the Vaishnava tradition of Sanatana-dharma and truly believe there are some extremely important and relevant philosophical, theological, and metaphysical truths relayed in these eastern traditions which have not yet been fully embraced and/or understood by western society. I am hoping that through some of my writing I may be able to transmit some semblance of those truths, without much of the smoke and mirrors usually employed to keep the esoteric secrets secret.

In mainstream society, Hinduism is the term used to define the primary indigenous religion of India, not knowing that Hinduism is not one religion but a banner that several religions co-exist under.
The original name of Hinduism is "Sanatana-dharma". The term "Hindu" as popularized today is actually derived from the name of the Indus valley along the Sindhu river. The Greeks and Persians began calling those on the eastern side of the river "Hindu". For the Hindu religion, however, not a single text has ever described its religion by the word "Hindu".

Sanatana-dharma, on the other hand, is the real and true term for the diverse way of life and spirituality for those who follow the religions of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Jainism, or Buddhism. Each of these traditions in their own unique way thought of the eternal religions as consisting of the unification of the lower self with the supreme Self,  brought about by various methods of prayer, trance, ritual, debate, music, art, dance, poetry, etc

This interacting with the totality of being(God) by the individual is the real essence of religion.

By this logic, it can be said that there is only one religion in the world. No matter what names, forms, or methods employed, the goal is the same.

That is essentially knowledge of and love for God(Who is synonymous with Reality both internal and external)

The acknowledgement of the divine by the word "Om"(Which Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, is the sound form of his very self) is a common thread through each of these traditions, each with its own unique philosophical, theological, metaphysical, and devotional understanding of its meaning and application.

The image above features three of the main personalities in Sanatana dharmic spirituality, which are worshipped daily in one of the holiest cities in India, Sri Purushottam Ksetra or Jagannath Puri. The personalities are Jagannath(Krishna) who is the main deity of all Vaishnava traditions. Then Subadhra devi who is non-other than Adi Shakti of the Shakta tradition. Finally, Baladeva, also known as Sankarshana, is viewed by some to be non-other than Sadashiva, the main deity of Shaivism.

These three are worshipped on the same platform, as a trine of Reality.
That is Sat(truth or Sadashiva) Cit(Consciousness, Personality, individuality, who is Krsna) and Ananda(Experience, the energy of life, bliss, supreme Shakti, Adi shakti)

This particular temple has been the location of worship of all major Sanatana dharmic traditions at different points in time, never changing the Deities but only the vision and philosophy behind them.

This unique approach to understanding our one reality according to the vision and taste of the Individual is by far one of the most important contributions of the philosophers and mystics of India. Such a view has allowed for a most diverse and individualistic spiritual religious paradigm to grow and survive for thousands of years. A truly amazing achievement!

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