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.

Vrinda Ashtakam

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia


Sri Vrunda devi ashtaka

By

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

( This great prayer is addressed to Vrunda devi who later became the Thulasi(ocimum sanctum) plant. There is a story that she was doing penance to marry Lord Vishnu and once when Ravana tried to molest her, she jumped in to the fire and became ash. This was written by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura also known as Sri Harivallabha dasa, who reached Brindavan (the forest of Thulasi plants) and stayed there. )


1.Gangeya champeya tadith vinindi- Rocih pravaha snapitatma vrinde Bandhuka bandhu dyuthi divya vaso Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
Who is surrounded by the glow similar to Bandhuka flowers*,
Whose splendour puts to shame gold, Champaka** flower and lightning,
And by the flow of that same splendour you continuously anoint your devotees,

*Red Ixora flowers. **michelia champaka

2.Bimbadharo udithvara manda hasya- Nasagra mukta dyuti dipitaysye Vichitra rathnabharana sriya adhye Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
Who has a very pretty rising smile beaking,
Out of her reddish lips resembling Bimba fruits,
Whose pearl nose ring illuminates the tip of her nose ,
And who wears several amazing gem studded ornaments.

3.Samasta vaikunta- siromanau sri Krishnasya vrindavana dhanya dhamni Datta adhikare vrsuhaabhanu-putrya Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
Who is the crown jewel of the entire land of Vaikunta,
And who has been given the power to rule the blessed Vrindavana,
By Radha who was the daughter of Vrusha Banu.

4.Thvad aajnaya pallava pushpa bhrnga, Mrugadibhir Madhava keli kunja Madhvadibhir bhanti vibhushyamana Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
By whose order the garden of Lord Krishna,
Is decorated with blossoming flowers, bees,
Deer and other things, for enjoying his playful pastimes.

5.Thvadiya dhothyena nikunja-yunor Athi yutkayoh keli vilasa siddhih Thvat saubhagyam kena niruchyatam thad Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
Due to the service rendered by you, the divine couple,
Were able to enjoy perfect playful acts in the grove,
And who can ever describe your very great luck?
6.Rasabhilasho vasatis cha vrunda- Vane thvadeesa anghri Saroja seva Labhya cha pumsam krupaya thavaiva Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
Indeed, due to your great mercy the people of Brindavana,
Were able to do service to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna,
In fulfilling his desire to perform the Rasa leela.
7.Thvam kirthyase satvata tantra vidhibhir Leela abhidhana kila Krishna sakthih Thavaiva murthis tulasi nru loke Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
The saints well versed in the science of pure strength,
Have praised you as the power of the sports of Lord Krishna,
And that the Thulasi plant is your form in the human world.
8.Bhakthyaa viheena aparadha lakshaih Ksiptha scha kamaadhi taranga madhye Krupamayi thvam saranam prapanna Vrnde namaste charanaravindam

My salutations to your lotus like feet ,Oh Vrinda devi,
Being devoid of devotion and having committed millions of sins,
And having been thrown deep in the middle of the waves of passion,
Oh merciful one , I have completely surrendered to you.
9.Vrundashtakam yah srunuyat padeth va Vrndavana adhisa padhabja bhrungah Sa prapya vrundavana nitya vasam That prema sevam labhate krutarthah

If this octet addressed to Vrunda devi is heard or read,
By one who is like the bee visiting the lotus like feet of the Lords of Brindavan,
He would reach and stay for ever in Brindavan,
And get loving service there and would br blessed.