08-27-2008, 03:41 AM
Aug 26, 2008
Hindu Identity -- Why & Why not....
What is the 'connection' between living life as a Hindu, in one's everyday life, doing Puja, observing festivals like Diwali, visiting temples, and occasionally hearing pravachans etc. and the activity of forging together a collective identity ?
What is the relationship between Spirituality and Politics? Does Dharma have a political component -- such as wielding power in order to protect Dharma? What do ideas such as Raja Dharma and Rama Rajya have to offer us in the context of a democratic polity?
Do Spiritual Masters and Teachers, have a responsibility in this regard to foster, nurture and develop this Hindu identity? Or is it best for them to stay strictly out of Politics and focus only on Spirituality and Religion?
Is there a way that we can infuse our Politics with a sense of Dharma? If so, where is the Hindu leadership which is focused on this activity? Or are we more are less relegated to living our private lives in whatever way we can, and leave the space of Politics to unscrupulous and Adharmic politicians who are any way interested largely in filling their coffers, and enhancing their personal futures?
From a spiritual and religious stand-point, we can take the view, that ultimately all Identity is a form of Maya or Mithya. We have to transcend all identities anyway, to attain Moksha. What is the use of harping on the Hindu Identity, when the real goal of Spirituality is to dissolve our Jivatma into the Paramatma? Further, Spirituality should not be corrupted by Politics. Therefore it is best for the spiritually minded to stay strictly away from any activity related to Identity formation â especially if it is a Hindu Identity. In any case, it is easier to talk about "Peace" and "Love" and soft matters of the heart â than to demonstrate courage and fearlessly take up unpopular and difficult issues, and take a real worthwhile stand on anything.
From a Political stand-point, we can take the view that if we do not form a strong, coherent and unified Hindu Identity, we will never be able to exercise power on behalf of Hindu Dharma ever. We will never be able to make political choices that are beneficial to the majority group in the country. All political decisions will be secularized, cannibalized and made on behalf of arbitrary groupings of various minorities, and never for the Hindu community as a whole. And Hindus will forever remain at the receiving end of the prevailing political dispensation, being a majority in name only, enjoying none of the advantages of any majority nor any of the advantages of any minority community. This is the fate of the Hindus today â They are neither a majority (by behavior) nor a minority (by identity) â A sort of a Trisanku Loka, neither here nor there.
We must forge a middle ground here, for the sake of our future generations, where both the spiritually minded and the politically oriented can meet, where Politics itself can be spiritualized, and brought within the ambit of Dharma, where a spiritually inspired Politics can become the order of the day. But both sides have to move, and find common ground. In this regard the greater share of the responsibility invariably lies with the spiritually minded. They cannot remain embarrassed about ideas of Hindu Unity and political consciousness. They cannot say, "No, if I talk about Politics, and Hindu Unity or Identity, then I will become unpopular". This is the essence of Dharma. To move beyond one's own likes and dislikes, beyond fame and infamy, beyond personal glory and do what is to be done. Perhaps, if they so choose, they can show the way, simply because they wield significant influence with their followers. To avoid this responsibility, and keep talking about Mukti, Bhakti and Yoga isolated from the life of the whole community, may in the final analysis, in fact be a dis-service to the community. Similarly the spiritually minded must enter Political life, with a view to performing vital service to the nation, and to the people. Simply being concerned about one's own Moksha, without regard for the life and future of the whole community, is to remain ignorant and insensitive to the vital needs of the time â the Yuga Dharma.
More importantly India's Unity itself is spiritually based. Only the spiritually inclined can see the inherent unity that ties together the multi-faceted, many-sided nature of the Hindu Civilization. The Non-Spiritual, are easily misled by the seeming variety of our country, and easily caught in the ideologies of Communistic Class struggles, and Colonial dismissal of India's native Civilization, and every other form of Western ideological proposition, they tend to be swept away in the notion that there never was a Hindu identity in the first place, and deem its emergence as inimical to the nation. I would even go so far, to say that it is not merely the greater share of this responsibility, but almost the entire share lies with the spiritually minded â especially our Gurus, Acharyas, Yogis and Rishis. For I have much lesser hope that the politically minded may move closer to the Spiritual, for any purpose other than some narrow self-interest. For self-interest defines the modern day politician, not Dharma. His entire politics is one of convenience, not of ideology and character. The modern Politician, will exploit Ram Sethu, Amarnath, and every other form of Hindu issue, if it will help him win power, only so that he may enjoy the spoils of power, but not so that he may render back to the community the service that he was elected to perform, in its full measure. He has to be dis-placed, first before there can be any transformation either in his heart or in the community as a whole.
Therefore we call upon the spiritually minded in India, to take the lead, to demonstrate courage, and come out on the side of the Hindu Identity, for the sake of the Lokasangraha, for Dharmasamsthapana, for the sake of this Eternal Dharma called Sanatana Dharma. Let us not be complacent, and befooled into Universalist Vedantic and Buddhistic positions, and pretenses. Let us not pretend to be above all identities â and preach to the choir â For every time, anyone spoke about the need for peace, and Ahimsa, that message was directed towards the already mild Hindu, and not the aggressor. Let us not lose the distinction between the aggressor and the victim â simply because the aggressors have a habit of posing as the victim, while the real victims, being already mild-natured, will not mind yet another lesson in meekness. Let us have the Viveka to see through this game, and become aware that nothing less than the future of our entire Civilization is at stake at this time.
The "Hindu Vote is Sacred" â This must be our new Mantra. May this new Mantra ring in every nook and corner of India. We need a new Hindu Front â a Hindu wave; a Hindu friendly Government unfettered by the considerations of Coalition politics; free to pursue a Hindu agenda, for the sake of this land of Dharma. May such a Front, guided by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, be formed, to consolidate the Hindu Vote bloc, as never before achieved in India. May us all participate in precipitating this Hindu Wave, and the possibility of a Dharma Rajya.
-- Kalyan Viswanathan,
* * *
At a time when Hindus in general seem to be ignorant / complacent / negligent about their unique, age-old identity, and the anti-Hindus and non-Hindus are hell bent on diluting and, if possible, destroying that identity of India, in every possible way, including in the guise of 'bogus secularism', Sri Rajiv Malhotra, Founder, Infinity Foundation, has initiated an important discussion on the issue. This was the topic discussed in a workshop conducted/moderated by him at the recent âWAVESâ Conference at Orlando, and later on at the 'Hindu Unity Day' in New York, he also briefly outlined the subject matter of âThe Hindu identityâ under the following three heads:
1. Need for an identity
Why do we need an identity?
2. Hindu Identity
What constitutes our identity / what are the hall marks of Hindu identity?
3. Hindu interaction with others
How do we Hindus deal/interact with the non-Hindus?
In this context, Sri Kalyan Vishwanathan, President, Sanatana Dharma Foundation, Dallas, who was also a delegate at the âWAVESâ
Conference, Orlando, has some food for serious thought. He writes:
---------------------
From: Kalyan Viswanathan (kalyan.viswanathan@gmail.com)
Date: Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Subject: Hindu Identity - Why and Why not...
I am sending you a short write up on the 'Hindu Identity'. I believe in its present form it can be given wide distribution. Please feel free to send it to as many people as you think, is appropriate. Please review it and give me your critical feedback... Please also write to me, regarding your ideas on how we may further this cause, and plan for a more widespread circulation of these thoughts...
-- Kalyan Viswanathan,
Hindu Identity -- Why & Why not....
What is the 'connection' between living life as a Hindu, in one's everyday life, doing Puja, observing festivals like Diwali, visiting temples, and occasionally hearing pravachans etc. and the activity of forging together a collective identity ?
What is the relationship between Spirituality and Politics? Does Dharma have a political component -- such as wielding power in order to protect Dharma? What do ideas such as Raja Dharma and Rama Rajya have to offer us in the context of a democratic polity?
Do Spiritual Masters and Teachers, have a responsibility in this regard to foster, nurture and develop this Hindu identity? Or is it best for them to stay strictly out of Politics and focus only on Spirituality and Religion?
Is there a way that we can infuse our Politics with a sense of Dharma? If so, where is the Hindu leadership which is focused on this activity? Or are we more are less relegated to living our private lives in whatever way we can, and leave the space of Politics to unscrupulous and Adharmic politicians who are any way interested largely in filling their coffers, and enhancing their personal futures?
From a spiritual and religious stand-point, we can take the view, that ultimately all Identity is a form of Maya or Mithya. We have to transcend all identities anyway, to attain Moksha. What is the use of harping on the Hindu Identity, when the real goal of Spirituality is to dissolve our Jivatma into the Paramatma? Further, Spirituality should not be corrupted by Politics. Therefore it is best for the spiritually minded to stay strictly away from any activity related to Identity formation â especially if it is a Hindu Identity. In any case, it is easier to talk about "Peace" and "Love" and soft matters of the heart â than to demonstrate courage and fearlessly take up unpopular and difficult issues, and take a real worthwhile stand on anything.
From a Political stand-point, we can take the view that if we do not form a strong, coherent and unified Hindu Identity, we will never be able to exercise power on behalf of Hindu Dharma ever. We will never be able to make political choices that are beneficial to the majority group in the country. All political decisions will be secularized, cannibalized and made on behalf of arbitrary groupings of various minorities, and never for the Hindu community as a whole. And Hindus will forever remain at the receiving end of the prevailing political dispensation, being a majority in name only, enjoying none of the advantages of any majority nor any of the advantages of any minority community. This is the fate of the Hindus today â They are neither a majority (by behavior) nor a minority (by identity) â A sort of a Trisanku Loka, neither here nor there.
We must forge a middle ground here, for the sake of our future generations, where both the spiritually minded and the politically oriented can meet, where Politics itself can be spiritualized, and brought within the ambit of Dharma, where a spiritually inspired Politics can become the order of the day. But both sides have to move, and find common ground. In this regard the greater share of the responsibility invariably lies with the spiritually minded. They cannot remain embarrassed about ideas of Hindu Unity and political consciousness. They cannot say, "No, if I talk about Politics, and Hindu Unity or Identity, then I will become unpopular". This is the essence of Dharma. To move beyond one's own likes and dislikes, beyond fame and infamy, beyond personal glory and do what is to be done. Perhaps, if they so choose, they can show the way, simply because they wield significant influence with their followers. To avoid this responsibility, and keep talking about Mukti, Bhakti and Yoga isolated from the life of the whole community, may in the final analysis, in fact be a dis-service to the community. Similarly the spiritually minded must enter Political life, with a view to performing vital service to the nation, and to the people. Simply being concerned about one's own Moksha, without regard for the life and future of the whole community, is to remain ignorant and insensitive to the vital needs of the time â the Yuga Dharma.
More importantly India's Unity itself is spiritually based. Only the spiritually inclined can see the inherent unity that ties together the multi-faceted, many-sided nature of the Hindu Civilization. The Non-Spiritual, are easily misled by the seeming variety of our country, and easily caught in the ideologies of Communistic Class struggles, and Colonial dismissal of India's native Civilization, and every other form of Western ideological proposition, they tend to be swept away in the notion that there never was a Hindu identity in the first place, and deem its emergence as inimical to the nation. I would even go so far, to say that it is not merely the greater share of this responsibility, but almost the entire share lies with the spiritually minded â especially our Gurus, Acharyas, Yogis and Rishis. For I have much lesser hope that the politically minded may move closer to the Spiritual, for any purpose other than some narrow self-interest. For self-interest defines the modern day politician, not Dharma. His entire politics is one of convenience, not of ideology and character. The modern Politician, will exploit Ram Sethu, Amarnath, and every other form of Hindu issue, if it will help him win power, only so that he may enjoy the spoils of power, but not so that he may render back to the community the service that he was elected to perform, in its full measure. He has to be dis-placed, first before there can be any transformation either in his heart or in the community as a whole.
Therefore we call upon the spiritually minded in India, to take the lead, to demonstrate courage, and come out on the side of the Hindu Identity, for the sake of the Lokasangraha, for Dharmasamsthapana, for the sake of this Eternal Dharma called Sanatana Dharma. Let us not be complacent, and befooled into Universalist Vedantic and Buddhistic positions, and pretenses. Let us not pretend to be above all identities â and preach to the choir â For every time, anyone spoke about the need for peace, and Ahimsa, that message was directed towards the already mild Hindu, and not the aggressor. Let us not lose the distinction between the aggressor and the victim â simply because the aggressors have a habit of posing as the victim, while the real victims, being already mild-natured, will not mind yet another lesson in meekness. Let us have the Viveka to see through this game, and become aware that nothing less than the future of our entire Civilization is at stake at this time.
The "Hindu Vote is Sacred" â This must be our new Mantra. May this new Mantra ring in every nook and corner of India. We need a new Hindu Front â a Hindu wave; a Hindu friendly Government unfettered by the considerations of Coalition politics; free to pursue a Hindu agenda, for the sake of this land of Dharma. May such a Front, guided by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, be formed, to consolidate the Hindu Vote bloc, as never before achieved in India. May us all participate in precipitating this Hindu Wave, and the possibility of a Dharma Rajya.
-- Kalyan Viswanathan,
* * *
At a time when Hindus in general seem to be ignorant / complacent / negligent about their unique, age-old identity, and the anti-Hindus and non-Hindus are hell bent on diluting and, if possible, destroying that identity of India, in every possible way, including in the guise of 'bogus secularism', Sri Rajiv Malhotra, Founder, Infinity Foundation, has initiated an important discussion on the issue. This was the topic discussed in a workshop conducted/moderated by him at the recent âWAVESâ Conference at Orlando, and later on at the 'Hindu Unity Day' in New York, he also briefly outlined the subject matter of âThe Hindu identityâ under the following three heads:
1. Need for an identity
Why do we need an identity?
2. Hindu Identity
What constitutes our identity / what are the hall marks of Hindu identity?
3. Hindu interaction with others
How do we Hindus deal/interact with the non-Hindus?
In this context, Sri Kalyan Vishwanathan, President, Sanatana Dharma Foundation, Dallas, who was also a delegate at the âWAVESâ
Conference, Orlando, has some food for serious thought. He writes:
---------------------
From: Kalyan Viswanathan (kalyan.viswanathan@gmail.com)
Date: Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Subject: Hindu Identity - Why and Why not...
I am sending you a short write up on the 'Hindu Identity'. I believe in its present form it can be given wide distribution. Please feel free to send it to as many people as you think, is appropriate. Please review it and give me your critical feedback... Please also write to me, regarding your ideas on how we may further this cause, and plan for a more widespread circulation of these thoughts...
-- Kalyan Viswanathan,