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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.


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.

Saṣṭitantra

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Saṣṭitantra literally means ‘science of sixty topics’.

Origin of Saṣṭitantra[edit]

The Sāṅkhyadarśana is one of the oldest systems of philosophy whose origins can be traced even to the Upaniṣads. The Ahirbudhnya Samhitā[1] refers to an ancient work on the Sāṅkhya known as the Śastitantra. Whether it was one particular ancient work or referred in general to any work of Śāṅkhya philosophy dealing with sixty topics, is difficult to say.

Classification of Saṣṭitantra[edit]

According to one version, Pañcaśikha, the third of the three original teachers of Sāṅkhya, is said to have composed this work. The work is divided into two parts:

  1. The prākṛtamaṇḍala with 32 sub divisions
  2. The vaikṛtamaṇḍala with 28 sub divisions

Overview of Saṣṭitantra[edit]

The following is a general overview of the topics dealt with:

  • Pakṛti
  • Puruṣas
  • Relation of the prakṛti with the puruṣas
  • Evolution of the categories from the prakrti
  • Inactivity of the puruṣas
  • Five viparyayas or misconceptions
  • Nine tuṣṭis or contentment
  • Twenty-eight kinds of defects of organs
  • Eight siddhis or attainments

It is believed that the Sāṅkhya of Kapila and Āsuri was theistic whereas Pañcaśikha made it atheistic.


References[edit]

  1. ↑ Ahirbudhnya Samhitā 12.19-30
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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Deval Sancheti

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