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 and academic peer-review, reflecting our ongoing commitment at Hindupedia to challenge the representation of Hindu Dharma within academia.

Mantra Pushpam

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

Translated by P. R. Ramachander

This mantra is taken from Taithreeya Aranyakam of Yajur Veda. It is normally sung in a chorus by all the priests together after performing any Pooja or Yagna.

In summary, this stotra explains how water is the basis of this universe[1].

Yopam puspam veda 
Puspavan prajavan pasuvan bhavati
Candramava Apam puspam
Puspavan, Prajavan pasuman bhavati
Ya Evam Veda 
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanam bhavati. 

He who understands the flowers of water,
He becomes the possessor of flowers, children and cattle.
Moon is the flower of the water,
He who understands this fact,
He becomes the possessor of flowers, children and cattle.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Agnirva Apamayatanam 
Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo agnerayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovagner ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda 
Yopa mayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati

Fire is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of fire,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Vayurva Apamaya tanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yova Yorayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati|
Apovai va yorayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Ya Evam veda 
Yopamayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan Bhavati 

Air is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of air,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Asowvai tapanna pamayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yo musya tapata Ayatanan Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Apova Amusyatapata Ayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Ya Evam Veda 
Yopa mayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati

Scorching sun is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of scorching sun,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Candrama Vama pamayatnam 
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yascandra masa Ayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Apovai Candra masa Ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Ya Evam Veda
Yo pamayatanam veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati

Moon is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of moon,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Nakshtrani va Apamayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Yo Nakshtrana mayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Apovai Nakshtrana mayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Ye evam Veda 
Yopamaya tanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati 

Stars are the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of stars,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Parjanyova apamayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Yah parjanyasya syayatinam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Apovai parjanya Syayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati 
Ye Evam veda 
Yopa maya tanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati 

Clouds are the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of clouds,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,

Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam 
Ayatavan bhavati 
Yassavatsa rasyaya tanam Veda 
Ayatavan bhavati.
Apovai samvasara ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam veda 
Yopsu Navam pratistitam veda
Pratyeva tistati

Rainy season is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of rainy season,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows that there is a raft is available,
Becomes established in that raft.

Variation[edit]

This stanza is included in some versions of mantra Pushpam

Om thad Brahma, 
Om Thad Vayu.
Om Thad Athma 
Om Thad Sathyam 
Om That Sarvam 
Om That puror nama 

Om it is Brahma
Om it is air
Om it is the soul
Om it is the truth
Om it is everything
Om salutations to that Purusha

Anthascharathi bhootheshu Guhyam Viswa Murthishu

That which is inside all beings secretly is that Universal God

Thvam Yajna 
Thwam vashatkara 
Thwam Indra 
Thvam vayu 
Thvam Rudra 
Vishnus thvam 
Brahmasthvam 
Thvam prajapati 
Om Thadhapa apo jyothi raso amrutham brahma bhur bhuvasuvarom

You are the fire sacrifice,
You are the the personification of Vedic sacrifice
You are the Indra
You are the air
You are the Rudra
You are the Vishnu
You are the Brahma
You are the Lord of all beings
Om water is light, the essence is the nectar and the concept of Brahma is in all the seven worlds.

Ending stanza[edit]

This last stanza is normally recited by priests while giving back prasada after performing an Archana in all temples

Rajadhi rajaya Prasahya Sahine|
Namo Vayam Vai Sravanaya Kurmahe
Samekaman Kama Kamaya mahyam
Kamesvaro Vai Sravano dadatu 
Kuberaya Vai Sravanaya
Maha rajaya Namah.

King of kings, we praise thee,
Who is the giver of all victories,
Who is the fulfiller of all desires,
Please bless me with wealth,
To fulfill all our desires,
Oh, Kubera[2], we praise thee,
Salutations to the king of kings.

Notes[edit]