Classification of Sanatan Dharma


Sanatana dharma, in Hinduism, term used to denote the “eternal” or absolute set of duties or religiously ordained practices incumbent upon all Hindus, regardless of class, caste, or sect.

Sanatan Dharma, often referred to as Hinduism, is a complex and diverse religious tradition with various classifications based on different aspects. Here are some common classifications of Sanatan Dharma:


Vedic Period and Post-Vedic Period: Sanatan Dharma is often classified based on historical periods, namely the Vedic period and the post-Vedic period. The Vedic period (circa 1500 BCE to 500 BCE) is characterized by the composition of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, while the post-Vedic period witnessed the emergence of new religious texts, philosophies, and practices.


Shruti and Smriti: Another classification is based on the sacred texts of Hinduism. Shruti refers to the revealed texts, which are considered eternal and authoritative, including the Vedas and Upanishads. Smriti refers to the remembered texts, which are composed by sages and are more flexible, including the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), Puranas, and Dharmashastras.


Varna System: The Varna system classifies individuals into four main social classes or varnas: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (traders and agriculturists), and Shudras (laborers and service providers). This classification is based on one's occupation and birth.


Ashrama System: The Ashrama system categorizes an individual's life into four stages (ashramas) based on their age and societal roles: Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder life), Vanaprastha (retired life), and Sannyasa (renounced life). This classification emphasizes the progression through various stages of life and spiritual growth.


Philosophical Schools: Sanatan Dharma is also classified based on different philosophical schools or darshanas, each offering distinct perspectives on metaphysics, ethics, and spirituality. Some prominent philosophical schools include Vedanta (based on the Upanishads), Nyaya (logic), Vaisheshika (atomism), Samkhya (enumeration), Yoga (spiritual practice), and Mimamsa (ritual interpretation).


Deities and Sects: Sanatan Dharma encompasses a diverse pantheon of deities and sects, each with its own beliefs, practices, and traditions. Major deities include Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), Shiva (the destroyer), Devi (the goddess), and various avatars (incarnations). Sects range from Vaishnavism (devotion to Vishnu) and Shaivism (devotion to Shiva) to Shaktism (devotion to Devi) and Smartism (worship of multiple deities).


Geographical Regions: Sanatan Dharma is practiced across various geographical regions, each with its own cultural and regional variations. These regional classifications include North Indian Hinduism, South Indian Hinduism, Nepalese Hinduism, Balinese Hinduism, and more.

Following Chart represents the classification of Sanathan dharma-