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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.

Dikṣā

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda


Dikṣā literally means ‘observing a vow’.

Dikṣā is derived from the root ‘dīks’ which means ‘to destroy ignorance by giving knowledge and wisdom’. It's meanings include:

  • Observing certain rules for a period of time
  • A rite to be performed at the beginning of a holy venture like a Vedic sacrifice
  • The sacrament of upanayana
  • Receiving a mantra (sacred formula) from a qualified guru
  • Shaving the head as a part of a religious vow

Significance of Dikṣā in Somayāga[edit]

Dikṣā is must in all ritualistic acts. Dīkṣā is the consecration of the sacrificer at the beginning of Somayāga. It takes place after preliminary rites like iṣṭi and āhuti.[1] The sacrificer has to wear a particular garment, a girdle of muñja grass and a piece of cloth as head-dress. He should also keep a daṇḍa as staff. His wife should wear a yoktra (a belt of muñja grass). They are expected to follow certain rules during the period of the sacrifice.

Dikṣā in Tantra[edit]

Imparting mantra to a worthy disciple is called ‘dīkṣā’ in tāntrik works. It is of several varieties. The guru can rouse the spiritual potential of the disciple by just a look or touch.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Āhuti is offering a ladle full of ghee into the fire.
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

Contributors to this article

Krishna Maheshwari, Apurva Mahendra Bhangdia, Deval Sancheti

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