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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.

Sanātanadharma

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Sanātanadharma literally means ‘the eternal religion’.

Origin of Word Sanātanadharma[edit]

The word Hinduism used for the religion is of very recent origin. This religion had no particular name since the most ancient days, because there existed no other religion from which it had to be distinguished. Some scholars of present day like to call it ‘Sanātanadharma.’

Reference of Word Sanātanadharma[edit]

This word occurs in the Khānāpur plates of Mādhavavarma[1] assigned to the 6th century A. D. Other sources where it has been used are:

General Meaning[edit]

However overall the word does not refer to any specific religion but only to ancient practices of eternal values. Yet, it is possible to apply this word to religion since it reflects the true spirit of religion correctly. The expression dharma[5] has three senses:

  1. God
  2. Any spiritual discipline that leads to God
  3. Duty

‘Sanātana’ means the eternal.

Justification of Appellation[edit]

Since the various sādhanas or spiritual disciplines taught by the religion have been proving their efficacy even today,[6] hence sanātana or eternal, ultimately leading to God, the Eternal Truth, it fully deserves the appellation ‘Sanātanadharma’.


References[edit]

  1. ↑ Epigraphia Indica vol. 27, p. 312
  2. ↑ Matsyapurāna 143.30-32
  3. ↑ Bhāgavata 7.11.2
  4. ↑ Brahmāndapurāṇa 2.33.37-38
  5. ↑ Dharma means ‘that which supports’.
  6. ↑ It is preserved same as in the ancient period.
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

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Deval Sancheti

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