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In this book, we analyze the psycho-social consequences faced by Indian American children after exposure to the school textbook discourse on Hinduism and ancient India. We demonstrate that there is an intimate connection—an almost exact correspondence—between James Mill’s colonial-racist discourse (Mill was the head of the British East India Company) and the current school textbook discourse. This racist discourse, camouflaged under the cover of political correctness, produces the same psychological impacts on Indian American children that racism typically causes: shame, inferiority, embarrassment, identity confusion, assimilation, and a phenomenon akin to racelessness, where children dissociate from the traditions and culture of their ancestors.


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Tarpaṇa

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Tarpaṇa literally means ‘satiating’.

Significance of Tarpaṇa[edit]

Tarpaṇa is one of the items connected with āhnika or daily ritual to be performed by a dvija.[1] It is a part of snāna[2] and the pañcamahāyajñas.

Ritual of Tarpaṇa[edit]

While still standing in water after bathing in a river or tank, one has to offer water thrice taking it in the joined palms of hand, with appropriate mantras, to all the beings of creation from Brahmā[3] to a blade of grass.

Tarpaṇa as per Manusmrti[edit]

Tarpaṇa to devas,[4] pitṛs[5] and ṛṣis[6] is a compulsory part of the daily routine of every brahmacārin.[7] The water may sometimes be mixed with sesame. Such tarpaṇa is said to satiate the gods, manes and sages to whom it is offered.


References[edit]

  1. ↑ Dvijas are the twice-born, members of the first three castes.
  2. ↑ Snāna means bath.
  3. ↑ Brahmā is the creator.
  4. ↑ It means gods.
  5. ↑ It means manes.
  6. ↑ It means sages.
  7. ↑ Manusmrti 2.176
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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