Dharma & Sanatan Dharma - is there a difference?

This talk is from an event sponsored by the Hindu Council of Australia in cooperation with the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga. The question was whether there is a distinction between Dharma and Sanatana Dharma? Acharya das explained that while Dharma has conventional definitions including customary religious observance, prescribed conduct, duty, religion, and good works, it has a deeper meaning as an intrinsic characteristic that makes something what it is - something that cannot be removed without changing the fundamental nature of that thing. He provided examples of heat and light being the dharma of fire, sweetness being the dharma of sugar, and liquidity being the dharma of water. Sanatana as meaning eternal, perpetual, permanent, everlasting, and primeval, distinguishing Sanatana Dharma from conventional religion by explaining that it deals with the eternal nature of the living being or spirit soul (atma). Acharya das distinguished Sanatana Dharma as dealing with the eternal nature of the living being or soul (atma), referencing Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's teachings that Sanatana Dharma refers to activities that cannot be changed and represents the eternal function of living entities in relationship with the Supreme Lord. The lecturer addressed the apparent contradiction in the Bhagavad Gita where Krishna instructs Arjuna to abandon all varieties of dharma and surrender unto Him, explaining that this refers to abandoning temporary religious duties to embrace one's eternal spiritual nature. Acharya das proposed that true self-realization requires understanding the three aspects of the self/soul: one's essence (being Brahman while maintaining distinction from Paramatma), one's position (equal to all living beings but subservient to the Supreme Being), and one's natural function (to love and to serve.) He concluded that bhakti - rendering eternal loving service to the Lord - is the natural function of the living being and the true definition of Sanatana Dharma. Quotes used in the talk: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear. - Bhagavad-gītā 18.66 Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens. - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22.107 By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one dissolves his entanglement in material activities. After this, one becomes very attracted to Krishna, and thus dormant love for Krishna is awakened. - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 15.109 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Dharma vs Sanatana Dharma ‎ 00:05:50 Deeper Understanding of Dharma ‎ ‎00:06:28 Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Teachings on Sanatana Dharma 00:08:31 The Bhagavad Gita's Apparent Contradiction ‎ 00:12:17 Arjuna's Dilemma and Krishna's First Instruction ‎ 00:15:35 The Nature of the Eternal Soul ‎ 00:17:48 Varieties of Dharma in the Bhagavad Gita ‎ 00:22:06 The Temporary Nature of Vanashram Dharma ‎ 00:25:31 Self-Realization and the Three Essential Questions ‎ 00:29:46 The Position and Relationship of the Soul ‎ 00:31:09 The Natural Function and Characteristics of the Soul ‎ 00:35:10 Service as the Soul's Natural Expression ‎ 00:38:27 Bhakti as Sanatana Dharma‎ 00:41:10 The Awakening of Dormant Love ‎ 00:43:22 Free Will and Universal Brotherhood ‎ 00:46:04 Conclusion and the Power of Chanting