So this Vedic culture is original culture of the human society—there are many proofs. But somehow or other we have become separated. In course of time different religions have sprung up, but every religion has got a history, a certain date of beginning. Just like Christian religion: it has a date of beginning, after the death of Lord Jesus Christ. Similarly, Muhammadan religion, it has got a date of beginning. But when you . . . Buddhist religion, it has got a date of beginning, about 2,600 years ago. But if you search out the history of Vedic religion, it will be very difficult to find out the date.
At least, so far modern history is concerned, we understand that this Vedic religion, or cult . . . we should distinguish between the English word religion and Sanskrit word dharma. Sanskrit word is dharma, and religion is different. The import of dharma and the import of religion, a little different. The import of dharma means "which you cannot change,"dharma. But the import of religion is, it is a kind of faith—you can change it—as you are changing.
One who is professing Hindu religion, he may accept, after a few days, another religion. Or a person professing Christian religion or Muhammadan religion, he can accept another religion, another faith. But dharma, it cannot be changed. Either you are Hindu, either you are Muslim, either you are Christian, either you are Buddha, the dharma, the implication of the word dharma, that you cannot change. That you cannot change. That is called dharma.
Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam (SB 6.3.19). In the śāstra it is said that dharma is the code given by God. That you cannot change. Just like the order "The sun is rising from the eastern side," this order is from God; you cannot change it. However great scientist you may be, you cannot make the sun rising from the northern side or southern side. That is not possible. The sun is rising from the eastern side. It is rising now from the eastern side, and it was rising from the eastern side millions and millions of years ago. That cannot be changed—nature.