Documented past events of mankind is known as Itihāsa, meaning history. Our Sanātana Dharma and its implications are not only documented, but also passed on through oral traditions over millennia. The history of Sanātana Dharma must be traced back to the beginning of this creation. Efforts have been made in each era, in every possible form to document the evolution of mankind based on Sanātana Dharma. We find its history in the form of oral tradition, literary tradition, architectural tradition and ritualistic tradition, among many others. Thus, we can say that the history of Sanātana Dharma is not dormant but is an ever - flowing tradition. Therefore, our Itihāsa is a ‘Living History’.
The history of our land - Bhāratavarṣa, cannot be separated from the history of Sanātana Dharma. In fact, the history of mankind itself cannot be separated from Sanātana Dharma’s history as Dharma is the foundation upon which all mankind has survived and thrived all these countless years and will continue to do so. The Vedās, Vedāngas, Epics of Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata, Purānas, Darśanās, Kāvyas, Kalās, Sangīta, Nṛtya are some of the remarkable sources of the history of Sanātana Dharma.
Glossary
Itihāsa - Itihaasa
Sanātana - Sanaatana
Bhāratavarṣa - Bhaaratvarsha
Vedās - Vedaas
Vedāngas - Vedaangas
Rāmāyaṇa - Ramaayana
Mahābhārata - Mahaabharta
Purānas - Puraanas
Darśanās - Darshanas
Kāvyas - Kaavyas
Kalās - Kalaas
Sangīta - Sangeeta
Nṛtya - Nritya
