What is Sanatan Dharma?

Sanatan, means Eternal and Universal. Dharma, is a collection of practices based on the Vedas. 

Sanatan literally means "no beginning no end". we need to understood this across three dimensions - Time, Space, and Causation. 

On the time dimension implies that it is ETERNAL. In other words, there was never a time when it did not exist. It existed at all times - before creation (Srishti) and after destruction (pralayam). 

On the space dimension it implies that it is UNIVERSAL. Per the vedic scriptures, there are billions of such universes each consisting of 14 planes of existence that sustain intelligent life forms. The 14 planes (Loka) include the 7 Northern loka's - Bhoo:, Bhuva:, Svarga, Maha:, Jana: Tapa: and Satyam; and the 7 Southern loka's - Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Mahatala, Rasatala, Talatala, and Patala. 

The Causation dimension implies that it was not created by an individual being. Even God, the Brahmam, did not create the Vedas, the  body of knowledge that form the basis of Sanatan Dharma.

What is Dharm?

Dharm, is defined as "Veda Bodita Ishata Sadanam". Firstly, Dharm is a practice that has be described in the Vedas. It has to be followed as described. When done so, it is supposed to bestow the desires of the person who performs it. Activities not described in the Vedas are not Dharm, even if they are Just, Legal, and Humanitarian. For Example, donations given to humanitarian causes do not fall under what is described in the Vedas as "daan". On the other hand, the vedic practice of "marriage" in which, the father performs the "kanya daan" of his daughter to the groom, is a Dharmic practice. Similarly, there are specific procedures defined in the vedas for donation of cow (Go Daan). 

The other interesting aspect is that the procedure described in the vedas do not change wherever in the universe it is practiced. 

Knowledge in Hinduism

 In English, there are only two states to Knowledge - Knowledge and Ignorance. Our Shastras identify 4 states -- ज्ञान अनुदय , विपरीत ज्ञान, अन्यथा ज्ञान , यातावस्तित ज्ञान - roughly translatable to : forgetfulness, distorted knowledge, incorrect knowledge, and correct knowledge. These states are respectively driven directly by our "Gun" - These are of three types - Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. High in Tamas leads to Forgetfullness. Moderate to high Tamas leads to विपरीत ज्ञान. High in Rajas leads to अन्यथा ज्ञान. Sattva Gun leads to यातावस्तित ज्ञान. Gun, is in turn fostered by our dietary habits. Sattvic diet and morning time leads to high levels of Sattva Gun. Rajasic Diet + afternoons leads to Rajo gun. Tamasic Diet + evening time leads to Tamo Gun. Diet is therefore very very important in the acquisition of "Correct knowledge". Vegetables like Onion and Garlic and classified as Tamas. High in chilli and salt is classified as Rajas. Bland to balanced food is Sattvic. All forms of Meat (animal derivates) with the exception of Milk and milk products are Sattvic. However, Even milk has become contanimated these days because of excessive use of harmones etc. to boost Cow productivity. Vegan Diet devoid of Onion and Garlic is highly recommended for the "Expansion of knowledge" ज्ञान विकास।

ज्ञान विकास is fundamental to the "intellectual evolution to higher capabilities" The primary differentiator between us human. beings and Devas is their knowledge is more expanded than ours.The primary differentiator between us and animals is that our knowledge is more expanded than theirs. The primary differentiator between animals and plants is that the knowledge of animals is more expanded than that of plants.

Why do shastras use the word "ज्ञान विकास"? because, in its pristine form (कर्म विनिर्मुक्त) form आत्मा is pure intelligence (ज्ञानमय और ज्ञान गुणक)। अनादि कर्म forms a covering layer on it disallowing the ज्ञान to shine. Our learning does not impart new knowledge to us. Learning only serves to "remind" us of what we already know.