Acharya Prashant explains that Sanatan Dharma is the authentic thing, and neither Hindutva nor even Hinduism truly represents it. To move towards the Sanatan truth, one must do so in a contemporary way. Sanatan Dharma needs a timely, topical, and contemporary face, which can be given any name. What matters is that this face must be truthfully representative of the Sanatan, the eternal. This is analogous to the concepts of Nirgun (formless) and Sagun (with form), where the Sagun appears as a representative of the Nirgun. In every age, depending on the context of place, conditions, and history, there is a need to realize the right action and code of living. This realization must be meditated upon, thought out, and practiced, and it will change from time to time. Addressing whether other religions have similar fundamentals, Acharya Prashant states that Vedanta is austere and direct, not based on belief. It starts with the indisputable fact that the sufferer, the experiencer, exists. Beyond this, it knows nothing. If one is suffering, the suffering mind cannot be considered credible or authentic. Therefore, Vedanta has zero respect for what we think or believe; it only acknowledges our de facto condition. He uses the analogy of a doctor treating a patient with mental problems: the doctor acknowledges the condition but does not respect the patient's words or beliefs, which are products of the illness. The Rishis, being loving and compassionate, gave zero respect to our thoughts. Any religious stream operating on belief does not lead to the Sanatan. Committing to the ego is Adharma (unrighteousness), not Dharma. Regarding the need for Sanatan Dharma in an evolving civilization, he explains that civilization is a means to fulfill one's Dharma, which is the movement towards liberation (Mukti). We need civilizationâhouses, roads, schoolsâto create a relatively peaceful external space that allows for deeper pursuits. Without it, one would be distracted by basic survival needs, making meditation and deep thought impossible. Civilization is the material aspect, while Dharma is the consciousness that steers it. Culture is not for boasting about tradition but for facilitating the pursuit of liberation. The ultimate end of life is liberation or realization.
