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.

Pandurangashtakam

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Adi Sankara
Translated by P.R.Ramachander

The Pandurangashtakam was composed by Adi Sankara and extols the virtues of the Deity of Vittal in Pandarpur, Maharashtra.


Pandurangashtakam[edit]

Maha Yoga Peete thate Bheema Radhya,
Varam Pundarikay Dathum Muneendrai,
Samagathya thishtanthamanandakandam
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 1

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is the source of immense happiness,
Who stays in the great seat of yoga, in the banks of Bheema,
Along with great seers to fulfill the boon to Pundarika.

Thatidhwsasam Neelameghavabhasam,
Rama mandiramm sundraram chith prakasam,
Varam thwishtakayam samanyasthapadam,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 2

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who has firmly placed his blessed feet on the bricks,
Who is dressed like a streak of lightning,
Who is of the colour of the blue clouds,
Who is the abode of Goddess Lakshmi,
And who is pretty and is the splendour of the inner mind.

Pramanam bhavabhdhoridam maamakaanaam,
Nithambha karabhyam drutho yena thasmath,
Vidhaurvasathyai drutho nabhi kesa,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 3

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who by keeping his two hands on his waist,
Tells us all that this worldly life is only waist deep,
And who created the holy lotus from his navel,
So that the creator himself can live there.

Sphurath kousthubhalankritham kanda dese,
Sriya jushta keyurakam Srinivasam,
Shivam Shantha meedyam, varam loka palam,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 4

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who decorates his neck by wearing the Kaushthubha gem,
Who has armlets of rarest charm,
Who is the abode of Goddess of wealth,
Who is calm and peaceful,
And who is the protector of the world.


Sarad Chandra bimbananam Charuhasam,
Lasath kundala aakrantha Ganda sthalangam,
Japaraga bimbadharam kanja nethram,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 5

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is as bright as the moon of autumn,
Who has a very captivating smile,
Whose shining ear studs covers his holy cheeks,
Who has red lips like the hibiscus flower and the Bimba fruit,
And whose eyes are like lotus flowers.

Kireedojwalath sarva dhik prantha bhagam,
Surair architham Divya rathanair anarghyair,
Tribhangakruthim barha malyavathamsam,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 6

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Whose shine of the crown illuminates all sides,
Who is being worshipped using invaluable gems by the devas,
Who assumes a posture with three bends,
And who wears garlands and peacock feathers.

Vibhum venu nadham charantham durantham,
Swayam leelaa gopa vesham dadanam,
Gavaam brunda kanandadam charu hasam,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 7

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is all pervasive and sings with his flute,
Who spells the doom for the bad ones,
Who playfully wears the attire of the cowherd,
Who brings great happiness to the herd of cows,
And who has a lotus like smile.

Ajam Rukmani prana sanjeevanam tham,
Param dhama kaivalyamekam thureeyam,
Prasannam prapannarthiham deva devam,
Parabrahma lingam baje pandurangam., 8

I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who was not born to any one,
Who is the panacea for the soul of Rukmani,
Who is supreme light,
Who is the only way to redemption,
Who is the fourth higher state of humans,
Who is forever with satisfaction,
Who is the God of gods,
And who removes problems of those who seek refuge in him.

Sthavam pandurangasya vai punyadham ye,
Padanthyeka chithena bhakthya cha nithyam,
Bhavmbhonidhim they api theerthava anthakale,
Harer alayam saswatham prapnuvanthi., 9

He who reads with devotion and concentration daily,
This holy prayer addressed to Panduranga,
Would cross with ease, this ocean of life,
And at the end attain the world of Vishnu permanently.