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

Colonial Discourse and the Suffering of Indian American Children is now published after academic peer-review and available through open access.

In this book, we analyze the psycho-social consequences that Indian American children face after they are exposed to the school textbook discourse on Hinduism and ancient India. We show that there is an intimate connection―an almost exact correspondence―between James Mill’s ( a prominent politician in Britain and head of the British East India Company) colonial-racist discourse and the current school-textbook discourse. Consequently, this archaic and racist discourse, camouflaged under the cover of political correctness, produces in the Indian American children the same psychological impact as racism is known to produce: shame, inferiority, embarrassment, identity confusion, assimilation, and a phenomenon similar to racelessness where the children dissociate from the tradition and culture of their ancestors

This book is an outcome of 4 years of rigorous research as a part of our ongoing commitment at Hindupedia to challenge the representation of Hindu Dharma within Academia.

Dharma Shasthru Ashraya Dasakam

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

Sri Dharma Shastru Asraya Dasakam
(The ten verses of dependence on Dharma Sastha)

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(This rare stotra has been taken from the blog
http://pallassanas.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!15BB524DBFF8FF24!370.entry
. There it is given in Malayalam script.)

Surasuradhitha Divya padukam,
Characharantha sthitha Bhoota nayakam,
Virajamana nanamadhi desikam,
Varabhayalankrutha panimasraye. 1

I seek protection with the hand that protects and blesses,
Of the God whose divine feet is worshipped by devas and asuras,
Of the leader of all beings who is in moving and non moving things,
Of the teacher who shines in his divine powers.

Varasanastham . mani kanta mujwalam,
Karambhujo patha vibhoothi bhooshanam,
Smarayuthakara mudhara vigraham,
Smarami SAstharam anadha rakshakam. 2

I meditate on Sastha who protects the orphans,
Who sits on the blessed seat , who shines with a gem on his neck,
Who shines with the sacred ash on his lotus like arms,
And who is the generous one who can arm himself just by thought.

Smaradhi Sangeetha rasanuvarthanam,
Swaraja kolahala divya keerthanm,
Dhara dharendropari nithya narthanam,
Kiratha moorthim kalaye mahaddhanam. 3

I meditate on the sweet meaning of music,
Who is the divine music singing about himself,
Who dances much above the earth,
Who is the hunter and the sweet divine treasure.

Niramayananda dhaya payonnidhim,
Parathparam pavana bhaktha sevadhim,
Radhi vichedhana vaidyuthakruthim,
Hareesa bhagyathmaja masrayamyaham. 4

I seek protection by the lucky son of Vishnu and Shiva,
Who is the spotless nectar like wealth of mercy,
Who is divine and saves his true devotees,
Who is like a streak of lightning which is pleasing.

Hareendra mathanga Thurangamasanam,
Harendra bhasmasana sankarathmakam,
Kireeta harangadha kankanojwalam,
Purathanam bhoothapathim bhajamyaham. 5

I sing about the ancient Lord of Bhoothas,
Who sits on a horse in the hill in the forest,
Who is with Vishnu , Indra and Lord Shiva,
And wears a shining crown and a necklace made of gold.

Varapradham viswa vaseekruthyakrutheem,
Sura pradhanam , SAbari gireeswaram,
Uruprabham , koti divakara prabham,
Gurum bhajeham kula daivatham Sadaa. 6

I worship my clan deity who is my teacher,
Who gives boons, who has a very attractive form,
Who is the chief of devas, Who is the lord of Sabari mountain,
Who is greatly shining , and shining like billions of suns.

AAranya sardhoola mrugadhi modhakam,
Aaranya varnam , jadaeka nayakam,
Tharunya samath nilayam sanathanam,
Karunya moorthim , kalaye divanisam. 7

I salute day and night the picture of mercy,
Who is liked by forest tigers and other animals,
Who is of the colour of forest, The only lord of the world.
Who is the seat of the wealth of youth and beginning less.

Durantha thapa thraya papa mochakam,
Nirantharananda gathi pradhayakam,
Param thapam pandyanyapala balakam,
Chiranthanam bhoothapathim thamasraye. 8

I surrender to the Lord of Bhoothas, who is above thought,
Who frees you from three types of sufferings, sin and calamities,
Who grants you the state of permanent joy,
Who is divine, who meditates and is the son of Pandya king.

Varishtameesam Sabarari gireswaro,
Varishtam ishta padam , ishta daivatham,
Arishta dush graham santhidham,
Garishta mashta pada vethram aashraye. 9

I surrender to the heavy cane bearing God,
Who is greatest and the Lord of Sabari mountain,
Who is occupies the most desired position,
Who is the most liked God , and
Calms down Asuras and effect of badly positioned bad planets.

Saroja sankhadhi gadhaa virajitham,
Karambhujaaneka maho jwalayudham,
Sirastha malyam Shikhi pincha sekharam,
Purasthitham Bhoothapathim Samasraye. 10

I surrender to him who is in a town and a lord of Bhoothas,
Who shines along with the lotus , conch and the mace,
Who has several shining weapons in his lotus like hands,
And who wears a garland and peacock feather in his head.