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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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Kāma

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Kāma literally means ‘desire’. Kāma is one of the most widely used words in the religio-philosophical and mythoogical literature. It has three meanings:

  1. Desire in general
  2. Cupid, the god of lust
  3. Lust

Iconographical works depict him as a handsome young man with a bow of sugarcane and five arrows tipped with flowers. He is accompanied by his two wives, Rati and Tṛṣā. He rides a parrot. His banner is makara or crocodile.

Kāma, Son of Brahmā[edit]

Kāma was also known as Manmatha, Madana, Kandarpa and Anaṅga. He was the son of Brahmā. When Brahmā gave him the boon of the power to delude the whole world with lust, he dared to use it against Brahmā himself. Hence Brahmā cursed him to be reduced to ashes by the third eye of Lord Śiva. At the earnest entreaties of his wife Rati, Śiva revived him.

Kāma, as a Desire[edit]

Kāma as a desire can be good or bad. A good desire like the desire for mokṣa or liberation elevates a human being whereas bad desires prove to be formidable obstacles in the path of spiritual evolution.

Kāma, as Lust[edit]

Kāma as lust has been considered as one of the four puruṣārthas or ends to be striven for in life. Since procreation was considered as one of the sacred duties of duly married couples, kāma has been given that status. However, it should be within the limits set by dharma or righteousness as described in the scriptures. Transgressions have been severely condemned and punishments have also been prescribed for that.

References[edit]

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

Contributors to this article

Apurva Mahendra Bhangdia, Deval Sancheti

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