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.

Saptārcis

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Saptārcis literally means ‘seven flames’.

In the śrāddha ceremonies, not only the Vedic but also the purāṇic mantras are recited at the appropriate places. The saptārcis mantra is such mantra in which the devatās (gods), pitṛs (manes), great yogins, the goddesses svadhā and svāhā are adored. It is to be recited thrice at the beginning and the end of śrāddha. It should also be recited at the time of offering piṇḍas. As a result, the pitṛs come quickly and the goblins are supposed to run away.

This mantra occurs in the Vāyupurāṇa,[1] the Bralimāndapurāṇa,[2] the Visnudharmottarapurāna[3] and a few other purāṇas.


References[edit]

  1. Vāyupurāṇa 74.15, 16
  2. Bralimāndapurāṇa 3.11.17, 18
  3. Visnudharmottarapurāna 1.140.68
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore