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.

Saraswathi Matha ki aarthi (Hindi)

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

Saraswathi Matha ki aarthi
(Prayer to Mother Saraswathi)

Translated by P.R.Ramachander

1.Om jaya Saraswathi matha, Maiya jaya Saraswathi matha,
Sadguna vaibhava shalini , Tribhuvana Vikhyatha.

Om Victory to mother Saraswathi, Oh Mother , Victory to mother Saraswathi,
To her who is blessed with all good characters, To her who is famous in all three worlds.

2.Chandravadani, Pad masini, Sruthi mangalakari,
Sohe shubha hamsa savari, Athula theja dhari

She who has face like moon, She who sits on a lotus ,
She who does only auspicious acts,
She who always rides on a swan,
And she who has incomparable luster.

3.Bhaye kar mein Veena, Dhaye kar mein mala,
Shees mukuta mani sohe , gala mothiyan mala.

She who keeps the Veena in her left hand,
She who keeps the rosary in her right hand,
She who shines with the crown studded with gems,
Wears a pearl necklace in her neck.

4.Devi saran jo aaye , Unkaa udhar kiyaa,
Paiti mandhara dasi, ravan samhara kiyaa

The goddess makes great, all her devotes who come to her,
She sat in the toungue of Mandhara* and due to it Ravana was killed.
*The hunch backed lady friend of Kaikeyi.

5.Vidhyaa , jnaan pradhayini, Jnan prakasa bharo,
Moha jnan ki viradhaa, jag se manth haro.

The Goddess who gives knowledge and wisdom , fill me with light of wisdom,
Destroy the blocks caused by passion to wisdom from this world.

6.Dhoop, dheep , phal seva, Maa sweekar karo,
Jnan chakshu dhey maatha, jag nissar karo,

Oh Mother accept my offerings of incense, light and offering of fruits and sweets.
Oh Mother , give me the eye of wisdom , and make this life very easy.


7.Maa Saraswathi ji ki aarthi, jo koi jan gave,
Hithakaari, sukh kari , jnan bhakthi pave.

If this prayer of mother Saraswathi is understood and sung,
It would give solace , pleasure, wisdom and devotion.

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