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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.

Ghaṭa

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Ghaṭa literally means ‘a pot'.

Ghaṭa

A ghaṭa or a mud-pot is an important accessory in many religious rituals.

Significance[edit]

As a Kumbha[edit]

When ghaṭa is filled with water and decorated with certain leaves and coconut, it becomes fit for any deity for being ceremonially invoked into it. Such a ghaṭa is also called as a kumbha or a kalaśa. It is one of the four receptacles of divinity. The other three are the:

  1. Agni - fire
  2. Vigraha - icon
  3. Sthaṇḍila - consecrated platform

As a Motif in Temples[edit]

It is sometimes used as an art motif which indicates auspiciousness and abundance. It is found on the pillars and doors in temples.

In Navarātra Festival[edit]

A ceremonially installed pot is an essential part of the worship of the Mother Durgā during this festival.

As per Haṭhayoga[edit]

According to the works on Haṭhayoga, ghaṭa or ghaṭāvasthā is a state of prāṇāyāma. In this state, the two prāṇas or vital airs are in a balanced state which leads to the union of the jīva (individual soul) with Paramātman (the Supreme Soul). These two vital airs are:

  1. The prāṇa
  2. The apāna

In Philosophy[edit]

According to the philosophical treatises, the word ‘ghaṭa’ is sometimes used to indicate the body. It indicates the body as fragile as a mudpot.

References[edit]

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

Contributors to this article

Deval Sancheti

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