Religion vs Dharam
Everyone who is born on this earth is a 'Sanatan Dharmi' by birth. Religion follows after wards. There isn't a word that defines religion in Sanskrit or hindi. Using 'Dharam' as translation for 'Religion' is a misnomer. Dharam doesn't mean religion, it means 'Righteous Karma'. The principle of Karma is the ultimate and absolute truth in this universe. We all humans and animals are bound by this principle and can't escape its consequences. Sanatan means 'Eternal' and 'Dharam' can be defined as 'Righteous way a man should lead his life'. Sanatan Dharam doesn't push us to pray or mandatorily believe in certain form of God, instead it lays down a path of defined principles following which we can realize God. It doesn't define any rituals or procedures to worship God, it leaves this to the discretion of humans to use their intellect to decide upon the best way they want to realize Him. It stresses on one God