Cultural Hindus, religious Hindus, and the ‘spiritual-not-religious’ kind are all on the same spectrum of Sanatana Dharma. Its singular focus is on eternal values and how to inculcate them, aimed at facilitating individual and collective evolution with the potential to create a better, more joyful, and peaceful world.
A cross-section of prominent individuals share their views with Lotus in this second part of our Diwali special.
A cultural Hindu is free to drink from the fount of knowledge from across traditions
~ Narayani Ganesh
When you say you are a Hindu, it could mean so many things, even including being an agnostic or atheist for there is plenty of elbow room in this way of life. For what is termed Hinduism is shorn of ‘isms’ – you could be a believer, one who practices rituals, one who does not practice rituals, a temple-goer or not, a vegetarian or not, and much more.
Essentially, being a Hindu is a way of life free of straitjackets but involves imbibing and practicing eternal values like understanding, nonviolence, and compassion without stepping on another’s toes, all in a spirit of celebration.
When so much information is available at the tap of a button in a digital world, we also have access to knowledge from many streams of thought, including various faiths, belief systems, and religions.
Since being a Hindu is living as a free spirit, one has the freedom to drink from the fount of knowledge from across cultures and traditions, which is what being a cultural Hindu means. It is also part of individual and collective spiritual evolution and evolvement, as it entails the possibility of greater understanding, compassion, and peace. What else could one hope for?
The path to higher realms of consciousness is paved with these eternal values that is there for the taking, when being a Hindu, whether a cultural, religious, or spiritual Hindu, really means you have the liberty of growing into better human beings, which also means there is the potential present for the making of a better, happier, more joyful and peaceful world.
When you say, ‘I am spiritual but not religious’, it is not to discount those who are religious but to ascertain that you are striving to understand and embrace higher thought free of even rites and rituals.
Narayani Ganesh served as editor of The Speaking Tree and Sacred Space, two popular columns in The Times of India, as well as The Speaking Tree Sunday section of the leading newspaper of India.
A Sanatana Dharma follower must embody eternal values
~ R.P. Jain
The term ‘cultural Hindu’ is a new coinage, but in essence, it reflects one’s sanskaras (values) and sanskriti (culture) – qualities cultivated through family, upbringing, and environment. Being a Sanatani (follower of Sanatana Dharma) isn’t just about a certain way of life; it’s about embodying something eternal that exists perpetually. The purity a Sanatani maintains within reflects this, requiring a deep inner journey rather than seeking external validation. Any spiritual practice, regardless of religion – Hinduism, Jainism, or Buddhism – is truly about inner purification and transformation, not external rituals. Rituals, while prevalent, don’t define true spirituality.
True spirituality resides within, far from formalities. Spiritual growth universally (applicable to all religions) unfolds in three stages. First, through external practices like reading, learning, and attending satsang, known as Shrutmaya Pragya (wisdom through hearing and learning). The second stage is Chintanmaya Pragya (wisdom through contemplation), where one reflects on and digests all that’s been learned. Finally, the highest level is Bhavanamaya Pragya (experiential wisdom), where knowledge is internalized, manifesting in one’s behavior, emotions, and daily life.
For me, culture isn’t tied to any particular religion; it comes from within. It’sdeeply rooted in sanskriti and sanskaras, the two limbs of Sanskrit, our mother language. These values are inherited from our family and lineage, woven into the very fabric of who we are.
In modern times, everything seems to be shifting. Culture has become outward-facing, indulgent. Even the sacred relationship between teacher and student is losing its depth – the reverence and respect that once existed are fading. Today’s youth, especially Gen-Z, are so over-pampered and entitled that I fear they may not truly absorb values or culture in its authentic form. They’ve become overly dependent on external information, which hinders original thought and creativity. Is this true evolution? With computers replacing human thinking, where is the mind in all this?
Rajendra Prakash (RP) Jain is a key leader at Motilal Banarsidass, a historic publishing house specializing in ancient Indian texts and spiritual literature.
Atheism is easy to slip into as Hinduism is flexible in its demands
~ Sameer Rajadnya
In a country as diverse and culturally rich as India, where religion plays a significant role in shaping daily life, living as an atheist presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities.
Yet, I find it easy to be an atheist because the law of the land is secular and
I meet the following conditions:
1. Your cultural and physical markers are neutral. Caste and religion are definite markers conveyed by names, clothes, and sometimes physical characteristics.
2. You are urban and self-sufficient with income that is independent or corporate, and not family business or relationship-driven, or embedded in specific local/regional communities.
3. Your social circle is based on lifestyle and cultural cosmopolitanism, linked to education and income, and not embedded in communities based around local culture.
Once a person is past these conditions, I think the label ‘atheism’ is relatively unnecessary in India. Atheism here is easy to slip into without calling it out, partly because Hinduism is flexible in its demands of those who call themselves Hindus, and partly because people don’t confront you seriously about it if they don’t have cultural authority over you.
In this context, calling oneself atheist can be counterproductive. Atheism positions theism as the norm and itself in opposition. People who are aggressive toward atheists mistake atheism as a belief system in opposition to themselves and a threat to their community.
I feel that atheism need not be in opposition to religion. Atheists should account for cultural rituals that build community and family relations and that are important to a full life. If there are no specific religious obligations, there should be no issue participating in gatherings around sharing food, ceremonial activities, and rituals with one’s community.
For atheists, personal relationships should be central to one’s life rather than abstract beliefs about the universe. For some theists, however, that relationship can be conditional, which is unfortunate.
Sameer Rajadnya is a communicator and designer, bringing brands to life through technology and storytelling. When he’s not helping build client experiences, he loves to explore new places, foods and cultures. He lives in Delhi NCR.
The essence of dharma is living with integrity, truth, and compassion
~ Navni Chawla
To me, being Hindu means being truly established in dharma—a way of life that embodies virtues and values at the deepest level. Too often, Hinduism is reduced to superficial rituals without understanding its deeper meaning. But being Hindu is not about ceremonies, pujas, elaborate rites, or practices like chanting mantras, singing hymns, or praying. While they have their place, they are secondary to the true essence of dharma: living with integrity, truth, and compassion.
At its core, being Hindu means living by the highest values. It is about speaking the truth, refraining from gossip, and ensuring our words don’t hurt others. It’s about not criticizing or judging others but showing empathy and understanding. Living in dharma is maintaining purity of thought, intention, and action –– not just towards oneself but all beings.
Mere worship of idols is not enough. The true power of worship comes from embodying the qualities of the deities we revere. Calling oneself a devotee of Lord Ram is hollow without being selfless. Similarly, a Shiv Bhakt must meditate and cultivate a calm mind.
Being Hindu is a spiritual journey that requires constant self-awareness, mindfulness, and a deep commitment to living with integrity. It’s about embodying the values that uplift not only oneself but everyone around you, in a way that fosters peace, compassion, and harmony.
Navni Chawla is the Assistant Editor with A Lotus in the Mud. She previously worked with Life Positive magazine.
Illustration: Vedant Chopra for Lotus
For third part of this Diwali Special series, go here.
Pluralism and flexibility are Hinduism’s greatest strengths
3 comments
Diwali the festival of lights that ushers in the season of prosperity and a righteous rule where truth, justice and peace reign supreme. Light is the symbol of the Divine in all religious traditions. Though there are multiple expressions of light, the core essence of light is one and the same. The paths of emancipation are multiple, but the destiny and goal is one and the same. May this oneness and unity be recognised by all cultures and religions and peace and harmony be promoted all over the world. Happy feast of Diwali to all.
With Narayani & R P Jain on board, this issue was destined to shine like Dhruva Tara. The very fact that what they’ve written can be critically appreciated from various fronts shows their invulnerability to narrow, judgemental, intemperate, and misguided missiles of empty words.
My caveat, albeit these broadening views, is the problem of terms like spirituality, ritual, culture etc.
Picking up the term “culture” in the interest of brevity is apt here. This anthropological product does not at all fit the Bharatiya milieu where immense importance is given to all material and immaterial existents of this martya loka and beyond; the sanskriti which believes in vanaspataya shantihi, Oshadhaya Shantihi, Antariksha Shantihi and which feeds the serpent as well as the pipilika-s (ants). How can such a sanskriti be reduced to the anthropo-centric idea of culture?
May we find ways to circumvent approaches which militate against Sanatana Dharma.
Well said