Sanatana Dharma ideal

Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Religion) is a principle in Hinduism and Buddhism. When explaining a particular custom or ethical code, both Hindu and Buddhist scriptures declare it to be of the "Sanatana Dharma."
Hinduism
The phrase Sanatana Dharma is used exclusively by Hindus to refer to Hinduism. The phrase perhaps goes as far back as Krishna's time during the Kurukshetra War when Arjuna calls Krishna "the protector of the Eternal Religion") as noted in the Bhagavad Gita (11.18.) The idea of a "protector of the eternal religion" has been taken up by the Swanynarayana sect which uses the phrase Sanatan Dharma Sanrakshak.
Compassion and charity
Charity () is considered a virtue in Hinduism that rewards good karma to the generous giver. It is one of the 10 niyamas (essential customs for human moksha.) Both Dana and daya are expounded by Patanjali to the asuras (demons) to civilize them. In the Pativratya-mahatmya Parva of the Mahabharata, in the "Vara Parva," Savitri is following deva Yama into the beyond and he is taking away Satyavan. Yama asks her to stay back. She says: Where my husband is being taken, or where he goes, I should follow him. Such is the Sanatana Dharma. A little later when she pursues her path and Yama asks her to return, she says, "Compassion and charity are the Sanatana Dharma."
Compassion for others goes as far as to respect the proper burial of adversaries. In Ramayana (3.2) of Valmiki, the rakshasa (demon) says to Rama to give his body a proper burial because it is the Sanatana Dharma to give a rakshasa such.
Truthfulness
Truthfulness is one of the Panchavratas or Five Vows prescribed in Hinduism, and its importance is reiterated by scriptures connection truth with Hinduism. The Manu Smriti (4.138) declares, "Speak truth that is pleasant. Never speak truth that is not pleasant. Don't speak a lie, even if it is pleasant to hear. This is the Sanatana Dharma." The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata declares, "It is good to speak truthfully; better still to speak truthfully; better still to speak what may benefit others. This is the Sanatana Dharma."
Marriage faithfulness
According to the the , a husband and wife should remain faithful to each other from the time of their agnihotra (marriage ceremony) to death.
Parent-Child relations
Rama in the Ramayana (21.10) declares, that obedience to his father (King Dasharatha) is the Sanatana Dharma.
Kausalya in the Ramayana (55.15) tells King Dasharatha that instead of banishing his son to the forest (from the promised favor to Kaikeyi), he should have followed the "Sanatana Dharma" rules laid down in scriptures.
Rama declares (27.30) that he could not bear to live were he to disobey his father's command, and that he will act just as his father has instructed him because that is the Sanatana Dharma.
Buddhism
Although Buddha usually spoke of the Sanatana Dharma, he sometimes used other synonymous terms for "Sanatana Dharma," such as "Akaliko Dharma," and "Poranako Dharma."
Against hatred
Buddha declared, "Hatred is never pacified by hatred in return, rather by love and goodwill only. This is the Sanatana Dharma."
Truthfulness
Of speaking truth, the Buddha said, "Truth is Nirvana's speech. This is the Sanatana Dharma."

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