Colonial Discourse and the Suffering of Indian American Children is now freely available.
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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.


This book is the result of four years of rigorous research and academic peer-review, reflecting our ongoing commitment at Hindupedia to challenge the representation of Hindu Dharma within academia.

Akṣaya-tritiyā

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Akṣaya-tritiyā literally means ‘the inexhaustible third day’.

Festivals and sacred days are usually the days associated with holy persons or memorable events. Akṣaya-tṛitīyā is said to be the day Kṛtayuga (the first of the four yugas or ages) began. Its name is derived from the fact that it falls on the third day of the lunar calendar month (tṛtīyā = the 3rd) and the religious merit acquired on this day becomes inexhaustible (akṣaya). This day falls on the 3rd day of śuklapakṣa (bright fortnight) of the month of Vaiśākha (April-May).

Some of the observances recommended are

  • Fasting
  • Worship of Lord Vāsudeva with whole grains of rice
  • Study of Vedic texts
  • Recitation of mantras
  • Performance of homa (offerings into consecrated fire)
  • Offerings to the departed manes
  • Gifts to brāhmaṇas

Many tradesmen begin their new year’s business on this day. This is one of the days considered to be extremely auspicious during the year.


References[edit]

  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

Contributors to this article

Krishna Maheshwari, Deval Sancheti

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