Colonial Discourse and the Suffering of Indian American Children is now freely available.
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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.

Vācika

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Vācika literally means ‘pertaining to speech’.

Vācika, General Meaning[edit]

This word has been used more as an adjective than as a noun. As a noun it means any news or a message sent by word or mouth. As an adjective its meaning changes according to the word it qualifies. For instance, Vācika-tapas is tapas or austerity of speech.

Vācika as per Bhagavadgitā[edit]

According to the Bhagavadgitā,[1] it is a speech which is true, sweet and brings about nothing but good. It should be without agitation and anxiety. Study of one’s own branch of Veda and repetition of the divine name also come under this definition.

Vācika-doṣas[edit]

Vācika-doṣas or defects of speech are:

  1. Telling lies
  2. Castigating others
  3. Deeply hurting the feelings of others
  4. Praising oneself
  5. Carrying tales about others

Vācika-pāpas[edit]

Vācika-pāpas or sins committed by word of mouth are:

  1. Speaking very harshly
  2. Telling lies especially to hurt others
  3. Finding fault
  4. Raving

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Bhagavadgitā 17.15
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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Deval Sancheti

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