Hinduism, is an umbrella-term for a broad range of Indian religions and traditions, unified by the concept of
dharma, a religious and universal order maintained by its followers through rituals and righteous living. The word
Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, it has also been described as
Sanฤtana Dharma, a modern usage, based on the belief that its origins lie beyond human history, as revealed in the Hindu texts. Another endonym for Hinduism is
Vaidika Dharma.