SANATANA DHARMA: An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics - SANTANA DHARMA  (Hardcover, Central Hindu College, Banaras)

SÂNÂTANA DH?RMA means the Eternal Religion, the Ancient Law, and it is based on the Vedas, sacred books given to men many long ages ago. This Religion has also been called the Aryan Religion, because it is the Religion that was given to the first nation of the Aryan race; Arya means noble, and the name was given to a great race, much finer in character and appearance than the races which went before it in the world’s history. The first families of these people settled in the northern part of the land now called India, and that part in which they first settled was named Âryavarta, because these Aryans lived in it. “ (The land) from the eastern ocean to the western ocean, between the two mountains (Himavan and Vindhya), the wise call Âryavarta.” In later days the Religion was called the Hindu Religion, and this is the name by which it is now usually known. It is the oldest of living Religions, and no other Religion has produced so many great men—great teachers, great writers, great sages, great saints, great kings, great warriors, great statesmen, great benefactors, great patriots. The more you know of it, the more you will honour and love it, and the more thankful you will be that you were born into it. But unless you grow up worthy of it, this great and holy Religion will do you no good.