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

Viśvedevas

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Classification of Viśvedevas[edit]

Viśvedevas are the Vedic gods. Literally the word means ‘all the gods’. Perhaps, all the gods leftover without being specifically mentioned in prayers, are meant to be included under this word. But they gradually seem to evolve as a specific group like the Ādityas or the Maruts. These deities are the protectors of ṛta, the moral law. They destroy the enemies of their devotees, protect the good, give auspicious abodes and control like the kings. They are ever young and handsome. They are easily pleased by the devoted obeisance.

Viśvedevas, Mythologically[edit]

Later mythology describes them usually as ten in number:

  1. Vasu - dwelling place
  2. Satya - truth
  3. Kratu - will
  4. Dakṣa - skill
  5. Kāla - time
  6. Kama - desire
  7. Dhṛti - forbearance
  8. Kuru - the ancestor of the Kurus
  9. Pururavas - a being dwelling in the atmosphere
  10. Mādravas - cry of joy

These deities are said to be fond of funeral offerings.


References[edit]

  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

Contributors to this article

Deval Sancheti

Explore Other Articles

Retrieved from "https://hindupedia.com/index.php?title=Viśvedevas&oldid=136263"