Colonial Discourse and the Suffering of Indian American Children Book Cover.webp

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, reflecting our ongoing commitment at Hindupedia to challenge the representation of Hindu Dharma within academia.

Devi Kshama Prarthana Stotram

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Goddess Parvathi is an ocean of mercy. This prayer requests her pardon. This is a part of Durga Sapthasloki

Aparadha sahasrani kriyanthe aaharnisam maya,
Daso aayamithi maam mathwa kshamaswa parameshwari., 1

Oh great goddess, I commit thousands of offences routinely,
So please think me as your slave and please pardon me.

Aavajanam na janami, na janami visarjanam,
Poojam chaiva na janami, kshamyatham Parameshwari., 2

I do not how to invoke you, nor do I know how do send you away,
And I also do not know how to worship you, and please pardon me.

Manthraheenam, kriyaheenam, Bhakthiheenam, Sureswari,
Yath poojitham maya devi paripoornam thadasthuthe., 3

I do not know chants or holy action or devotion, Oh God of the devas,
And so whatever worship I do, please make it complete.

Aaparadha satham kruthwa jagadambethi cho ucharath,
Yaam gathim samvapnothe na thaam brahmadaya suraa., 4

If one calls you, “Mother of the universe” and commits hundred mistakes,
Still you look after his salvation, and this cannot be done by Brahma and other devas.

Saparadhosmi saranam prathasthvam jagadambike,
Idhanee manu kampyoham Yadecchasi thada kuru., 5

Oh mother of the universe, having committed several mistakes I seek your refuge,
And please decide on the fate of this shivering one according to your wishes.

Agnana smrutherbranthya yanyoonam adhikam krutham.
Thath sarva kshamyadham devi praseedha parameshwari., 6

Oh great goddess I have done all this due to ignorance and wayward thoughts,
And so excuse them all and be pleased with me.

Kameshwari jaganmatha sachidananda vigrahe,
Grahanarchameemam preethya praseeda parameshwari., 7

Oh Goddess of love, Oh mother of the world, Oh source of eternal happiness,
Please accept my worship and with love become pleased with me.

Guhyadhi guhya gopthri grahana asmad krutham japam,
Sidhir bhavathu mey devi thwat prasadath sureshwari., 8

Oh goddess who is secret of secrets, Please accept the chanting done by me,
And make me powerful, through your grace, Oh Goddess of the devas.