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.

Guru sthuthi

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

Guru Sthuthi
(Prayer to the Guru)

By
Poonthanam

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(Poonthanam was possibly one of the greatest forerunners of Bhakthi cult in Kerala and his greatest work was Jnana Pana, Loosely it can be translated as “Pot of Knowledge”. But “pana” here is not pot but a style of folk poem. This is written in a common man’s language and in a common man’s verse. It preaches the greatness of repetition (singing) of the Holy God’s names. In between Poonthanam wrote about the world he saw and the world he wanted to see. Some people term it as the “Bhagavad Geetha of Malayalam. Here is a great prayer in two stanzas addressed to the Guru in Malayalam . It has unmatched simplicity and grandeur)

1.Ajnanam ullavayokke kalayanam
Vijnanam ullil vardhikkenam,
AAjnapichidenam nalla Vazhikenne,
Nithyam Guru Nadha Kumbidunnen.

You should destroy all ignorance in me,
The science in my heart should increase ,
You should order me to follow the correct path,
Oh teacher who is my lord, I daily salute you.

2.Anandam nalgunna pada renukkalaal ,
Manasamayoru darpanathil,
Malinyam pokkichu , nanma varuthenam,
Nithyam Guru Nadha Kumbidunnen.

Using the dust of your feet which gives happiness,
You should remove all the dirt,
From the mirror of mind and bring goodness to me,
Oh teacher who is my lord, I daily salute you.