Research on Hinduism

7/27/2019 Research on Hinduism

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CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA

THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA

Dr. J. Kuruvachira

Introduction

One of he rea!on! for he "heno#ena$ !"rea% of he i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva in a !hor!"an of i#e( can )e a!cri)e% o he a)i$i' of i! i%eo$o&ue! o in%ocrinae he #a!!e!*ih #'h!+of Hin%uva. T'"ica$$'( #'h! %ea$ *ih variou! %i#en!ion! of hu#an $ifeha are con!i%ere% o )e e!!enia$ for he !ocia$( cu$ura$ an% re$i&iou! $ife of "eo"$e.M'h! have !"ecia$ e#oive a""ea$ o he #a!!e!( he' i&nie heir i#a&inaion an%

"ro,ec i%ea$! for he# o "ur!ue. M'h! are a$!o a#)iva$en in heir naure in he !en!eha( he' have he "o*er o #i!&ui%e he i$$ierae( he i&noran an% he naive.

Therefore( if #'h! are no !u),ec o ri&orou! her#eneuic!( here i! %an&er of "eo"$e#i!a-in& #'h! for rea$i'( ficion for hi!orica$ fac!( a #ean! o "ro"a&ae fa$!ehoo%an% a #eho% o ,u!if' #an' !u"er!iiou! )e$ief! an% "racice! ha are %eri#ena$ ohe "ro&re!! of civi$i!aion an% %i&ni' of hu#an )ein&!. e$o* *e e/a#ine !o#e of henooriou! #'h! of Hin%uva ha have a !*a' over he Hin%u #a!!e!( an% offer acrii0ue of he !a#e.

1.The myth of a Vedic Golden Age

The en%or!e#en of a 12o$%en A&e3 i! a "re4re0ui!ie for c$ai#! o civi$i!aion.Civi$i!aion! are !ai% o have a 2o$%en A&e *hen virua$$' ever' #anife!aion of $ifereache! a "ea- of e/ce$$ence5. In ancien hi!orio&ra"h'( he 12o$%en A&e3 *a! &enera$$'in he %i!an "a!( in he )e&innin& of i#e( !o %i!an an% !o #'ho$o&ica$ ha nonecou$% 0ue!ion he hi!orici' of he a&e an% i *a! i#)ue% *ih *haever va$ue! hehi!orian *i!he% o "ro"a&ae6. The "ro,ecion of a Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e i! one of hecorner !one! of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&' an% he "erio% fro# +577 8 977 .C. i!

"o"u$ar$' con!i%ere% a! he 2o$%en A&e of he Ve%ic "erio%. The "ro"onen! ofHin%uva "ro,ec he Ve%ic A&e a! an un)$e#i!he% 12o$%en A&e3 of &reae! #aeria$

"ro!"eri'( %eve$o"#en in a$$ )ranche! of !cience( "uri' of re$i&ion( hi&he!!"iriua$i'( "erfec -no*$e%&e of he ruh an% una#)i&uou! "racice of #ora$!( !ocia$e0ua$i' an% har#on'.

Hi!or' e$$! u! ha i *a! S*a#i Da'anan%a Sara!*ai( *ho( !ee-in& o refor#Hin%u re$i&ion an% Hin%u !ocie' fir! "ro"oun%e% he i%ea of a Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e an%a!-e% Hin%u! o 1reurn o he Ve%a!3. Thu!( he !"o-e of a 2o$%en A&e in *hich heAr'an! of he Ve%ic era are "re!ene% a! he cho!en "eo"$e o *ho# 2o% revea$e% he

+Here )' 1#'h!3 *e #ean 1fa$!e noion!3( 1fa)ricae% !orie!3( 1fana!ie!3( 1uo"ia!3 an% 1"iou! )e$ief!3

*ihou "ro"er hi!orica$ foun%aion.5See ;.THA


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"erfec -no*$e%&e of he Ve%a!@. He furher ar&ue% ha( he Ve%a! are he !ource! of a$$-no*$e%&e an% ha i i! con!i!en *ih #o%ern !cience9. Auro)in%o en%or!e% he vie*of S*a#i Da'anan%a an% !ae% ha he Ve%a! conain ruh! of !cience a! *e$$ a!re$i&ion?( an% he cone#"orar' "ro"onen! of Hin%uva coninue o &ive o hi! #'h

*i%e "u)$ici' an% %iffu!ion=.Ho*ever( Koenraa% E$! o"ine! ha( he he#e of he 2o$%en A&e i! 0uie co##on in

Hin%u *riin&! an% i! )' no #ean! a #o%ern %evice of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! )u anancien Hin%u ra%iion. The characeri!ic! *hich each auhor ari)ue! o hi! 2o$%enA&e i! %e"en%en on hi! o*n i%eo$o&ica$ "o!iion>. For e/a#"$e( #an' Hin%u! con!i%erhe rei&n of ;a# if he e/i!e% a a$$B a! a 2o$%en A&e. In cerain "ar! of In%ia( herei&n of he $e&en%ar' Maha a$i i! %e!cri)e% a! a 2o$%en A&e+7. The !i/h cenur' .C*hich *ine!!e% he a%ven of 2aua#a u%%ha he foun%er of u%%hi!#( Var%ha#anaMahavira( he 5h Tirthankaraor "ro"he *ho occu"ie! a uni0ue "$ace in Jaini!#( an%he &rea U"ani!ha%ic hin-er!( can a$!o )e con!i%ere% a! 2o$%en A&e! of In%ian

"hi$o!o"h' an% !"iriua$i'. Savar-ar( *ih a rare #i/ of i&norance of hi!orica$ fac! an%!rech of i#a&inaion( %e!cri)e! he rei&n of Chan%ra&u"a Maur'a an% A!ho-a a!2o$%en E"och! ofHindu history++. Man' hi!orian! #ainain ha he a&e of he i#"eria$2u"a! *a! a 2o$%en A&e+5. If one i! o),ecive a)ou he achieve#en! of he Mu&ha$e#"eror A-)ar( hi! rei&n can )e rae% a! he 2o$%en A&e of he Mu!$i# ru$e in In%ia.Fro# he a)ove %i!cu!!ion( i i! evi%en ha he conce"ion of a 2o$%en A&e i! noan'hin& uni0ue o he Ve%ic A&e.

u ho* 1&o$%en3 *a! he !o4ca$$e% Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e A c$o!e e/a#inaion revea$!ha he Ve%ic A&e har%$' %e!erve! he a""e$$aion of a 12o$%en A&e3. The Ve%ic cu$ure*a! an a#a$&a#aion of #an' inf$uence!( e!"ecia$$' he In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion an%he In%o4Euro"ean i##i&ran! ca$$e% Ar'an! *ho ca#e fro# Cenra$ A!ia o norhernIn%ia( "ro)a)$' in a nu#)er of *ave!+6 an% evenua$$' !u),u&ae% he in%i&enou!

"eo"$e. ;o#i$a Tha"ar #ainain! ha &rou"! of In%o4Ar'an !"ea-er! &ra%ua$$'

@See D.SA;ASATI( Satyartha Prakash( 5=+45==(6=@(6=?46>+. The er# 1Ve%a!3 in he "$ura$ #ean!

he four Samhitas:Rig Veda( SamaVe%a( Yajur Vedaan%Atharva Veda. 1Ve%a3 in he !in&u$ar or 1ve%ic

$ieraure3 in%icae! he Samhitas( rahmanas( Aranyakas an% !"anisads# See M.DHAVAMANY(

$%Induismo( = noe +.9See D.SA;ASATI( Satyartha Prakash( 5>5(6=@(6>+.?See AU;OINDO(India%s Re&irth( ++94++=.=See for e/a#"$e( ;.SA;U


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#i&rae% in !#a$$ nu#)er! hrou&h he "a!!e! in he norh4*e!ern #ounain! fro# heIn%o4Iranian )or%er$an%! an% Af&hani!an o norhern In%ia. The i#"eu! o #i&rae *a!a !earch for )eer "a!ure!( ara)$e $an% an% !o#e a%vana&e fro# an e/chan&e of&oo%!+. Hi!orian! e$$ u! ha he Ar'an! *ere no#a%ic "a!ora$ "eo"$e( an% heir

re$i&iou! ra%iion! *ere "ora)$e. The ear$ie! of he Ve%ic e/!( he Rig Vedaref$ec! a"a!ora$( ca$e4-ee"in& "eo"$e unfa#i$iar *ih ur)an $ife+@. A! a co##uni' he' *ereconcerne% *ih he #un%ane hin&! of ever'%a' $ife+9.Their re$i&iou! "racice! *erecenre% aroun% fire !acrifice an% a hierarchica$ !ocia$ !rucure. The' a$!o *or!hi""e% a

"anheon of %eiie!( #an' of he# re"re!enin& force! of naure. In he NCE;T !choo$e/)oo- for C$a!! VI *e rea%: G;i&Ve%ic "eo"$e *or!hi""e% #an' &o%! re"re!enin&force! of naure !uch a! fire( !un( *in%( !-' an% ree!+?. Hence i ha! )een re#ar-e%ha( he hi&he! re$i&ion of he Ar'an! *a! e"io#i!e% in "ri#iive ani#i!#( fire*or!hi"( "ro"iiaion of a&ricu$ura$ %eiie! an% a)ove a$$ !acrifice yajnaB+=( an% heir$ieraure con!i!e% of a $iur&ica$ cor"u! %eve$o"e% aroun% he Ve%ic !acrifice!+>.K.M.


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c$ai#! !an% *ihou foun%aion. The #'h4#a-er! of he i#e$e!!ne!! of he Ve%a!convenien$' for&e ha *haever )e$on&! o our finie *or$% i! $i#ie% in naure an%ha he' have a )e&innin& an% an en%( even if he' conain reve$aion! of 1i#e$e!!3ruh!. I ha! )een e!a)$i!he% ha he ear$ie! re$i&iou! co#"o!iion! in In%ia *ere he

San!-ri e/! ca$$e% he Vedas *hich )e$on&e% o he In%o4Euro"ean i##i&ran!("ro)a)$' co#"o!e% )e*een +@77 an% 977 .C59. a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- %ae! he o$%e!Ve%a! o aroun% @77 .C5?. Here i #u! a$!o )e !ae% ha( $i-e an' oher !acre%!cri"ure( he Ve%a! oo ha% human authors5=. Therefore( he c$ai# ha he Ve%a! areeerna$( )e&innin&$e!! an% auhor$e!! i! o )e a-en on$' a! a "iou! )e$ief.

A&ain( i i! a fac ha ver' fe* Hin%u! -no* he conen! of he Ve%a!( an% for heir"racica$ $ife he' are 0uie irre$evan. Davi% Fra*$e' !a'!: GEven Hin%u! *ho !"ea- ofhe &$or' of he Ve%a! &enera$$' can3 e/"$ain Ve%ic eachin&! in %eai$. ' he Ve%a!he' u!ua$$' #ean he U"ani!ha%! or he hagavadgita-no he o$%er Ve%ic e/!5>. Ina%%iion( he Ve%a! have har%$' an'hin& o %o *ih "o"u$ar Hin%ui!#. Koenraa% E$!noe! ha( he Ve%ic &o%! $i-e Varuna an% In%ra have "racica$$' %i!a""eare% fro# heHin%u co$$ecive con!ciou!ne!! in favour of re!'$e% #inor Ve%ic &o%! $i-e Shiva an%Vi!hnu an% non4Ve%ic &o%! $i-e 2ane!ha an% Ka$i. The #a,or fe!iva$! of he Hin%uca$en%ar are )a!e% on he e"ic fea! of ;a#a an% Kri!hna an% on he .5>D.F;AEY(Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +6.67See K.EST( *ho is a Hindu0( >. u A.D.Maa# re#in%! u! ha Shiva an% Vi!hnu are non4Ar'an

&o%!. See A.D.MATTAM(Religions( >@.6+See ;.THA94>?.65 See Y.AM;OISE( GHin%uva3! ;ea$ A&en%a( 5. V.D.Savar-ar envi!a&e% a f$ouri!hin& Hin%u

naion *hich *a! racia$$' an% cu$ura$$' ho#o&eneou!( an% one ha *en a! far )ac- a! !o#e @777 'ear!

o he Ve%ic a&e. See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindu Sanghatan( =. 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GOur! i! an ancien an%

&rea naion *ih a &$oriou! "a!. M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( 56= GHin%u!an $ive% a $ife

of uncha$$en&e% &$or' an% "o*er for hou!an%! of 'ear! an% !"rea% i! !"iriua$ an% cu$ura$ effu$&ence

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re#ini!cen of A%o$f Hi$er3! conce" of he Thir% ;eich +as +ritte Rei)hB( *hich!cho$ar! !"ea- of a! a 1#'hica$ noion3 mythis)her egriffB ha *a! a$rea%' "reva$ena#on& he 2er#an! fro# he Mi%%$e A&e! on*ar%!66.

2.The myth of Aryans as the original inhabitants of India

In he ne* naiona$i!ic vie* of hi!or' a%vocae% )' he Hin%uva( In%ian cu$urecou$% no have co#e fro# ou!i%e( e!"ecia$$' no he Ar'an!( !o ha he Ar'an! are

"re!ene% a! he original inha&itantsof In%ia. A! *e have !een( 2o$*a$-ar *a! he fir!"ro#inen Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue *ho "ro"o!e% hi! heor'. He !a'!: Ghe Hin%u ha! )eenhe re!i%en of hi! counr' fro# i#e! i##e#oria$6. So#e of he Theo!o"hi!! $i-eCo$one$ O$co a$!o he$% ha he Ar'an! *ere in%i&enou! o In%ia 6@. Thi! vie* i! o%a'*i%e$' acce"e% )' "racica$$' a$$ he cone#"orar' "ro"onen! of Hin%uva( a! i i! of&rea a%vana&e o heir i%eo$o&'. Hence ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha he a#en%e%heor' of Ar'an! a! he in%i&enou! "eo"$e of In%ia ha! )eco#e a/io#aic o he )e$iefof Hin%uva69. If hi! heor' i! no "ro"a&ae%( i *ou$% #ean ha he Ar'an Hin%ui!# i!a! #uch a forei&n i#"or a! Chri!iani' or I!$a# or Ju%ai!# or oroa!riani!#( a! heHin%uva i%eo$o&ue! c$ai#.

Furher( i !hou$% )e e#"ha!i!e% ha he c$ai# i!e$f i! a ne* a%%iion o he $i! ofhe #'h! of Hin%uva. In fac( Savar-ar( *ho &ave !'!e#ai!aion o he Hin%uvai%eo$o&' hi#!e$f did not maintainha he Ar'an! *ere he in%i&enou! "eo"$e of In%ia6?.Ye for Savar-ar( a rea$ Hin%u i! a "er!on *ho!e re$i&iou! faih must have anindigenousorigin. Hence E%*in r'an #a-e! an in!i&hfu$ re#ar-: GI i! "uLL$in& ha Savar-ar(*ho #u! have )een a*are ha !o#e of hi! cone#"orarie! an% "re%ece!!or! ha%cha$$en&e% he Ar'an inva!ion heor'( %i% no a&&re!!ive$' o""o!e i. Ta-en o i! $o&ica$conc$u!ion( hi! acce"ance of he Ar'an inva!ion heor' !ee#! inco#"ai)$e *ih he conce" of Hin%uva6=.

a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- a$!o !hare% he !a#e vie* a! Savar-ar. He c$ai#! ha heancien Ar'an! $ive% near he Norh . He a$!o ar&ue! ha( "rior o heco#in& of he Ar'an! o In%ia( aroun% @777 or 9777 .C he' ha% !e$e% on he "$ain!of Cenra$ A!ia7.Even S*a#i Vive-anan%a *a! inc$ine% o )e$ieve ha Ar'an! *ere

over va! area! of he &$o)e P ri&h fro# Me/ico o Ja"an.I&id.( +9+.66See M. DOMA;US(Hitler Reden ( vo$.+( foonoe 6.6 M.S.2OAKA;( un)h of Thoughts( +@5. See a$!o ID.( *e( =. For !i#i$ar i%ea! !ee

AU;OINDO(India%s Re&irth->9(>= D.F;AEY(Arise Arjuna( +@54+@? ;.SA;U457(55.7See .2.TIAK( The Ar)ti) Home of the Vedas( 6@.

+5


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no in%i&enou! o In%ia+. J'oi)a .u r'an %oe! no he!iae o !a':

GSara!*ai3! re%i!cover'( a$hou&h ar&ua)$' !u&&e!ive of con!i%era)$e Ve%ic ani0ui'

+See The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.IQ( 5@745@+.5See ;.THA


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canno )e u!e% o"rovea)!o$ue !'non'#i' of he In%u! Va$$e' re!i%en! an% heVe%ic Ar'an!@7.

Ho*ever( i #a' )e #ainaine% ha he #'h ha Ar'an! are he in%i&enou! "eo"$e ofIn%ia an% he oher heorie! ha are coro$$ar' o i( for# "ar of he conce" of he 1i&

ie3 of Hin%uva P a noion 1)orro*e%3 fro# A%o$f Hi$er an% hi! Naiona$ Socia$i!#.554+>56 an%!u)!e0uen e/cavaion! e$!e*here in In%ia have e!a)$i!he% ha he In%u! Va$$e'Civi$i!aion %ain& )ac- o a)ou 6777 .C. *a! ra%ica$$' %ifferen fro# he Ar'ancu$ure in he In%o42an&eic "$ain!. Thi! conc$u!ion f$e* in he face of he ear$ier )e$ief(!"rea% $ar&e$' )' Ar'an e/! ha he !arin& "oin of In%ian civi$i!aion *a! Ar'an orVe%ic cu$ure. Scho$ar! ho$% ha he Ar'an!( afer ca"urin& he 2an&eic "$ain!(rena#e% he re&ionAryavratao %i!in&ui!h i fro# he !ouh of In%ia *hich ha% )' hi!i#e )eco#e he ho#e of he Dravi%[email protected] noe% hi!orian of ancien In%ia( ;o#i$aTha"ar ha! a$!o re"eae%$' ar&ue% for he fac of he co#in& of he Ar'an! o NorhernIn%ia@. Anoher e#inen hi!orian( K.M. E#"ha!i! in he ori&ina$B.@+See M.ITE( G+ ID.( GA 4?5 J.KU;UVACHI;A( GFac! Nai$ Hin%ui!#3! C$ai#!(

6546?.

+59


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canno a$!o c$ai# ha In%ia !hou$% )e a Hin%u naion. Secon%$'( if he $o*er ca!e! an%Da$i! are inc$u%e% a#on& Hin%u!( i *ou$% u"!e #an' ca!e Hin%u!.

3.The myth of racial purity and superiority of the Aryans

Hin%uva "ro"a&ae! he #'h of In%ia a! con!i!in& of one race( one re$i&ion an% onecu$ure( na#e$'( he Hin%u( an% eu$o&i!e! i a! he 1)e! naion of he Ar'an!3 @?. Inancien *riin&! he $an% inha)ie% )' he Ar'an! *a! ca$$e%Aryavartaan% he re! *ere

,le))ha.desa. ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha aryavartae!!enia$$' #ean he 2an&eic


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reco&ni!e% a! a ra)ial uni han he Hin%u! an% "erha"! he Je*!9@. For hi#mle))hastan#ean ho!e *ho are forei&ner! naiona$$' an% ra)ially99. He furher !"ea-!of he Hin%u race a! he &rea race ha inha)i! an% o*n! he $an% of In%ia9?( an%San!-ri a! he #oher on&ue of he Hin%u race. Savar-ar !a'!: Ge Hin%u! are no

on$' a ;a!hra( a Jai( )u a! a con!e0uence of )ein& )oh( o*n a co##on San!-riie/"re!!e%( "re!erve% chief$' an% ori&ina$$' hrou&h San!-ri( he rea$ #oher on&ue ofour race9=.

For 2o$*a$-ar( race #ean! a here%iar' !ocie'9>an% he con!i%er! i a! he )o%' ofhe naion !o ha if i fa$$! he naion cea!e! o e/i?7.;ace jatiB for hi# #ean! "eo"$e*ho have a co##on ori&in an% co##on fe$$o* fee$in&?+. He ca$$! he Hin%u race he1ancien race3?5. He ho$%! ha he ancien rishis!a&e!B "rou%$' ca$$e% he#!e$ve! Ar'a!an% ha% re!o$ve% o Ar'nai!e he *ho$e of hu#ani'?6. The Ar'an! a$!o "o!!e!!e% a&rea civi$i!aion !o ha i cou$% c$ai# !u"eriori' over oher cu$ure!. He !a'!: Ge

)ui$ a &rea civi$i!aion( a &rea cu$ure an% an uni0ue !ocia$ or%er. e ha% )rou&h inoacua$ $ife a$#o! ever'hin& ha *a! )eneficia$ o #an-in%. in r'in& o %i!in&ui!hour "eo"$e fro# oher!( *e are ca$$e% 1he en$i&hene%3 P he AryasP an% he re!

,le))has?. I ha! )een o)!erve% ha( #ore han an'one e$!e( i *a! 2o$*a$-ar *ho"ro"a&ae% he #'h of Hin%u! )ein& a "ure race( an% in hi! he *a! in!"ire% )' A%o$fHi$er?@.

In he *riin&! of Savar-ar an% 2o$*a$-ar he er# 1Ar'a3 ofen !an%! for 1race3?9(an% e/"re!!ion! $i-e 1Ar'an )$oo%3??(1ancien )$oo%3?=( 1co##on ance!r'3?>( 1co##on

)$oo%3=7( 1our )$oo%3=+( 1Hin%u )$oo%3=5( 1"ure Hin%u )$oo%3=6( 1)$oo% of he

[email protected];KA;(Hindutva( >7 E#"ha!i! a%%e%B.99See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( 66.9?See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( >?.9=V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( >>.9>See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( 5+. For 2o$*a$-ar he Je*! are he e/a#"$e of "ure! !oc-. See I&id.(

+>(67.?7See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( 5+.?+See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( @6.?5See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( 7.?6See M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( @5.?M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( @@.?@See C.JAFF;EOT( The Hindu 3ationalist ,ovement( @@.?9Ho*ever( ;o#i$a Tha"ar re#in%! u! ha he er# arya%oe! no !an% for he noion of )io$o&ica$

race( hou&h !o#e in%o$o&i!! have iner"ree% i o )e !o. She u!e! he e/"re!!ion 1Ar'an !"ea-er!3

in!ea% of 1Ar'an race3. See ;.THA7(+55.?=See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( =>.?>See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindu Sanghatan( +@.=7See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( 66(6>(=(=>(>+(>5( +57(++.=+See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( =.=5See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( >+(+5+(+6>.=6See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( +77.

+5=


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forefaher!3=( 1here%iar' !ocie'3=@( 1our racia$ )ein&3=9( 1#oher race3=?( 1inheriance ofhe )$oo% of he &rea race3==( 1race4!"iri3=>( 1)on%! of race3>7( 1our race3>+( 1naiona$race3>5( 1Hin%u race3>6( 1one race3>( 1&rea race3>@( 1co##on race3>9( 1race !"iri3>?(1our!

)' )$oo% an% )' race3>=are fre0uen.

In he cour!e of hi!or'( ofen a""ea$ o ca!e !'!e# ha! )een #a%e in or%er o#ainain he racia$ "uri' of he Ar'an !oc-. The convenion of racin& a "er!on3!%e!cen a! "re!ervin& &enea$o&ica$ ree!( !ho*in& hi! "ure $inea&e fro# Ve%ic "erio%an% E"ic heroe!( i! a #e%ieva$ e/"e%ien. u hi!or' e$$! u! ha he ance!or! of he&rea Hin%u %'na!ie! %o no !hine a! e/a#"$e! of racia$ "uri' or re$i&iou! orho%o/'(a$hou&h here are $ar&e nu#)er! of e%ucae% Hin%u! *ho are carrie% a*a' )'!eni#ena$ aach#en o he heroic na#e! of he $e&en%ar' "a!( an% $i-e o hin- ofhe# a! "ure rah#in or "ure K!hari'a. The fac i! ha a$#o! a$$ he &rea fa#i$ie! ofancien In%ia *ere of #i/e% ori&in( rah#in a! *e$$ a! K!hari'a. Hence conce"! $i-e1"ure race3( 1"ure fa#i$ie!3( 1"ure ca!e3( ec. are #ere ficion>>

en,a#in a$-er #ainain! ha here have )een ie! of )$oo% )e*een Ar'an! an%non4Ar'an! hrou&h a !ea%' "roce!! of iner#arria&e. Thi! "roce!! i! ref$ece% in heir

"anheon( for he Ar'an %eiie! a$!o )e&an o conrac #ari#onia$ a$$iance! *ih he&o%%e!!e! of he naive "eo"$e !oon afer heir arriva$ in he In%ian "$ain!. In fac( he

Rig Veda$a#en! he "reva$ence of #arria&e! )e*een 1)$ac-3 an% 1*hie3. One "ra'er&oe! a! fo$$o*!: 1O In%ra( fin% ou *ho i! an Ar'an an% *ho i! a Da!a an% !e"araehe#3. A&ain( anoher h'#n in heAtharva Vedaha! )een iner"ree% a! referrin& o he!e%ucion of In%ra hi#!e$f )' an asura*o#an+77.

Socia$ #o)i$i' *a! "o!!i)$e in he ear$' "erio% of In%ian hi!or'. Even Savar-ar!"o-e of he iner#in&$in& of race!. He affir#! ha he Ar'an! an% he in%i&enou!

=See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( +77.=@See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( +=.=9See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindu Sanghatan( =.=?See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( 5+.==See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( +77.=>See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( +7(+5(+6.>7See M.S.2OAKA;( *e-+?.>+See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( 6(6=(7(?>(>?(+6+(+6>(+7.>5See M.S.2OAKA;( *e( 5+(5>(67(66(@(9.>6See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( (>?(>>(+57 ID.( Hindu Sanghatan( 7. M.S.2OAKA;( *e(

+5(7(6((@(@5.>See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( >+.>@See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( >? M.S.2OAKA;( *e( >.>9See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( ++9.>?2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GTha ra)e s"irit( *hich ha! !urvive% a$$ he !hoc-! of cenurie! of a&&re!!ion an%

ha! i#e an% a&ain hro*n u" &rea !"iriua$ an% naiona$ heroe!( i! )oun% o rea!!er i!e$f.

M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( ??4?= E#"ha!i! a%%e%B. See a$!o ID.( *e( 5.>=See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( 6>(>>See .AKE;(Hindu *orld-vo$.II( ?@4?9.+77See .AKE;(Hindu *orld-vo$. II( ?4?@.

+5>


11/49


"o"u$aion! iner#in&$e% *hen he for#er enere% In%ia+7+. He !a'!: GFor fir! of a$$ heracia$ !oc- of he Ar'an! u!e% o iner4#arr' a#on&! he#!e$ve!. Even a ca!ua$ac0uainance *ih he Ve%ic $ieraure can convince P ha! convince%( ever'one( of hefac+75. He a$!o e/hore% he forei&ner! *ho a!"ire o )eco#e Hin%u! o #arr' Hin%u!

an% have Hin%u chi$%ren. He #ainaine% ha an' non4Hin%u convere% o Hin%uva can)e a Hin%u( if &ona fidehe or !he a%o"! In%ia a! hi! or her counr' an% #arrie! aHin%u( hu! co#in& o $ove In%ia a! a rea$ Faher$an%( an% a%o"! In%ian cu$ure an%con!i%er! In%ia a! hePunya&hu1Ho$' an%3B. The chi$%ren of !uch a union *ou$%(oher hin&! )ein& e0ua$( a$!o )e Hin%u+76. He a$!o a%vocae% ha forei&n conver! oan' !ec of Hin%ui!# )e con!i%ere% a! Hin%u!( an% he he$% in hi&h e!ee# *e$$ -no*nconver! o Hin%ui!# $i-e( Si!er Nive%ia Mar&are No)$eB an% Annie e!an+7. Fro#hi! i i! c$ear ha Savar-ar %i% not insiston he #ainenance of "ure race( hou&h heconce" of Ar'an race *a! i#"oran o hi#.

The #'h of racia$ "uri' an% !u"eriori' of he Ar'an race i! a$!o evi%en fro#conc$u!ion! of !cho$ar! $i-e ;o#i$a Tha"ar. She ar&ue! ha he Ar'an! *ere no a%i!inc racia$ &rou" *ih a reco&ni!a)$e a!!e#)$a&e of #aeria$ cu$ure. In fac( he'*ere no a race )u Ar'an !"ea-er!+7@. A&ain( he roo! of In%ia3! $e&en%ar' "a! &o )ac-o he i#e )efore he Ar'an! o he Dravi%ian!( o he "re4Dravi%ian!( o he "ri#iive.+76See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva+67.+7See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( +6+.+7@See ;.THA


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noicea)$e+7=. .

Fro# he !evenh cenur' on*ar%! Ara) an%


13/49


)ranch of !cience an% ar. He !a'!: GNo race i! en%o*e% *ih a no)$er an% #ore fruifu$cu$ure !ure$'. No race i! #ore forunae in )ein& &iven a ;e$i&ion( *hich cou$% "ro%uce!uch a cu$ure++?. Accor%in& o hi# )rain !ur&er'( #o%ern "$a!ic !ur&er'( he conce"of 1Lero3( he i%ea of 2o% a! 1one3( he %eci#a$ !'!e#( ec. are "ro%uc! of he in&enui'

of Hin%u!++=. The )eni&n inf$uence of Hin%u! e/en%e% over va! re&ion! of he earhan% "i$&ri#! ca#e fro# %i!an $an%! o have a &$i#"!e of In%ia3! &$or' an% !u%en!f$oc-e% fro# far an% near o %rin- fro# he !"rin&! of hu#an -no*$e%&e++>.Thu! heinf$uence of Hin%ui!# reache% a! far a! A#erica $on& )efore Co$u#)u! 1%i!covere%3ha coninen. Then i *en o China( Ja"an( Ca#)o%ia( Ma$a'a( Sia#( In%one!ia an%a$$ he Souh4Ea! A!ian counrie! an% ri&h u" o Mon&o$ia an% Si)eria in he Norh+57.

Auro)in%o ca$$! In%ia he a"e/ of hu#an civi$i!aion( he "erfecion of &oo%&overn#en an% !e$e% !ocie'( an% he #oher of a$$ re$i&ion!+5+. ;a# S*aru" ar&ue!ha Hin%ui!# once re"re!ene% a &rea civi$i!aion an% ha Hin%u %har#a *en a)roa%fro# i#e o i#e an% via$$' inf$uence% he cu$ure! an% re$i&ion! of #an' $an%! an%re&ion! of he &$o)e+55. Davi% Fra*$e' c$ai#! ha In%ia a$one a! a counr' ha! he

"oenia$ o a-e he ro$e of !"iriua$$' &ui%in& he *or$%+56. The NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo-on 1Ancien In%ia3 !ae! ha a$$ !u)!anive !cienific %i!coverie!( he Lero( he %eci#a$!'!e#( he %i!cover' ha he earh #ove! on i! o*n a/i! an% aroun% he !un *erea$rea%' #a%e in he Ve%ic civi$i!aion+5. u criic! an% !cho$ar! e$$ u! ha( in herah#i !cri"( uni$ he !i/h cenur' A.D here *a! no !'#)o$ for Lero. Ar'a)haa *hofir! "re!ene% he h'"ohe!i! ha he earh #ove! aroun% he !un $ive% in he $ae fifhan% ear$' !i/h cenur' A.D+5@. In a%%iion i #a' )e re#e#)ere% ha he!e %a'! #an'!cho$ar! !"ea- of Africa an% no A!ia a! he ori&ina$ ho#e of he hu#an! +59.Shereen;ana&ar( See M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( 57=.+57See M.S.2OAKA; (un)h of Thoughts( ?.+5+ See AU;OINDO( India%s Re&irth( 67. hen Auro)in%o !"ea-! of 1&oo% &overn#en3 *e are

re#in%e% of K.M.


14/49


K.N.


15/49


)ear! #an' race! of Au!ric an% "re4Dravi%ian )orro*in&! #an' Chine!e *or%!( an%even !o#e He)re* er#!+6?.

The Maur'a a&e( $i-e #o! In%ian civi$i!aion! %urin& i! fine! "erio%( *e$co#e%ne* i%ea! fro# a)roa%. Chan%ra&u"a Maur'a 65745>? .CB( ha% conac *ih 2reece.

He receive% a 2ree- e#)a!!' hea%e% )' Me&a!hene! a hi! cour( an% #arrie% one ofhe %au&her! of Se$eucu!+6=. .+6;a# S*aru" !a'!: GIn%ia *a! he "$ace *here Sanaana %har#a f$ouri!he%. I! "eo"$e *ere ca$$e%

Hin%u! an% heir re$i&ion ca#e o )e -no*n a! Hin%u %har#a. ;.SA;U


16/49


!"iriua$ ra%iion of In%ia. I !a'!: GHin%ui!# i! a veryo$% re$i&ion. I i! a$!o -no*n a!Sanaana Dhar#a i.e. he Eerna$ S"iriua$ Tra%iion of In%ia+=. ;a# S*aru" !ae! haHin%ui!# i! a co#"araive$' recen *or% )u i i! he "o"u$ar na#e for he ancienSanatana +harma+>#

Accor%in& o he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva( 1!anava3 i! a 0ua$i' ha )e$on&! o In%iaa)ove a$$ oher naion!+@7. 1Sanava3 #ean! 1ancienne!!3( a er# !i&nif'in& he !acre%an% uni0ue 0ua$i' of !o#ehin& ha ha! co#e %o*n fro# i##e#oria$ ani0ui' an%!o#ehin& ha ha! in fac a$*a'! )een+@+. hen Hin%u! refer o heir re$i&ion a!Sanatana +harma *ha i! i#"$ie% i! ha i i! he #oher of a$$ re$i&ion! an% hefounainhea% of a$$ faih!. K.Kri!hna#achar'a !a'!: GThere *a! no re$i&ion in hi! $an%In%ia of o%a'( nor *a! an' re$i&ion nece!!ar' for he In%ian!. The ancien In%ian! ha%a co%e of $a* for #an o fo$$o*. Thi! *a! fra#e% in accor%ance *ih variou! ruh!*or-in& in naure. . Thi! *a! ca$$e% Dhar#a . An' ae#" for re$i&ion i!naura$$' $i#ie% an% narro*e% *hen co#"are% *ih hi! +@5. Davi% Fra*$e' !a'! haSanatana +harma!an%! for he univer!a$ for# of !"iriua$i' *hich Hin%ui!# !an%!for *ih i! "erennia$ *i!%o# an% univer!a$ $i&h+@6. He ar&ue! ha Hin%u Dhar#a !ee!i!e$f no a! #an4#a%e )u a! "ar of co!#ic creaion+@. N.S.;a,ara#( an ;SSi%eo$o&ue( #ainain! ha Hin%ui!# a! Sanatana +harma ha! neiher a hi!orica$

)e&innin& nor a hi!orica$ foun%er. I! &reae! fi&ure! are !a&e! an% &ui%e! *ho%i!covere% )a!ic ruh! a)ou #an3! "$ace in he co!#o!+@@.

I i! o )e reierae% ha( he %e!i&naion of Hin%ui!# a! 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 i! a "iou!noion i#"oran o he Hin%u!. In%ia ha! no in%i&enou! one *or% o %e!i&nae *ha i!#ean )' he *e!ern conce" 1re$i&ion3. The er# ha co#e! c$o!e! o i i! dharma*hich #ean! %u'( $a*( virue( ,u!ice( ec.( an% i refer! o )oh re$i&iou! an% !ocia$o)$i&aion! an% )ehaviour. In fac( Hin%ui!#3! !e$f4%e!i&naion ha! )een Sanatana

+harmaP 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 1eerna$ $a*3. Ho*ever( fro# a raiona$ "oin of vie* henoion 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 sanatana dharmaB i! a !e#anic #i!no#er( an% he )e$ief haHin%ui!# i! 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 i! a #'h( *hich canno !an% he e! of rea!on. ;ea!one$$! u! ha *haever i! an a!"ec of he hu#an rea$i' ha! a )e&innin&. A$$ re$i&ion! aree#"irica$ in naure in a! #uch a! he' are reve$aion! of !o#e &rea ruh! ha occur ini#e an% !"ace hrou&h he #e%iaion of e#"irica$ rea$iie!. Hin%ui!#( hou&h i i!ca$$e% 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 i! no e/ce"ion o i. Therefore( Hin%ui!# canno c$ai# an'e/ce"ion o oher re$i&ion! ,u! )ecau!e i ha! he a& of sanatanaor 1eerna$3 aache%

+=.S.


17/49


o i. Here( he 0ue!ion of Ku#-u# ;o' !ee#! "erinen: GHin%ui!# i! %efine% a!eerna$. One *on%er! *ha i! he "$ace of a i#e$e!! "heno#enon in he #un%anefra#e*or- of a !choo$ hi!or' )oo-+@9 P a reference o he ne* NCE;T !choo$e/)oo-!. The !a#e criici!# i! a""$ica)$e a$!o o he Ve%a!( *hich are "ro"oun%e% a!

1eerna$3( 1)e&innin&$e!!3 an% 1auhor$e!!3. i-e a$$ oher !acre% e/!( he Ve%a! a$!o ha%hu#an auhor! P ofen anon'#ou! P *ho *roe in a $an&ua&e *hich *a! "reva$en inhe cu$ure of he i#e.

ac- of hi!orica$ !en!e a#on& #an' In%ian! i! a %irec con!e0uence of he conce"of sanatana( an% a$$ Hin%u recor%! *ere #a%e o confor# o he noion of i! !e$f4!ufficienc'. For e/a#"$e( in he ne* NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo-! on he Ve%ic Civi$i!aionhere i! no reference o %ae!. The !u%en! are e/"ece% o )e$ieve ha he Ve%ic e/!are i#e$e!!+@?. The "oor hi!orica$ !en!e i! a&ain #anife!e% in he effor of Hin%uvahi!orian! o inven hi!or' an% race he ori&in of Hin%ui!# o "re4In%u! Va$$e' an%In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion( he c$ai# ha he Ar'an! are he ori&ina$ inha)ian! of In%ia(ec. e$ief in he uni0uene!! of Hin%ui!# a! Sanatana +harma i! a$!o !ai% o )ere!"on!i)$e for he e/re#e re$ucance of Hin%u! in ac-no*$e%&in& he cu$ura$ %e)he' o*e o oher!( he rea!on )ein& ha( !uch a confe!!ion *ou$% un%er#ine heir

+harmaan% viiae heir c$ai# o "riori' an% "re4e#inence+@=.A! A.D.Maa# ha! !u&&e!e%( in %i!cu!!in& he re$i&ion! of In%ia *e !hou$% )e&in

*ih he re$i&ion! of he ear$ie! inha)ian! or A%i#va!i! *hich !urvive in !o#e *a'a#on& he "re!en %a' ri)a$! or a%iva!i!( fo$$o*e% )' he re$i&ion of he Da$i!Sche%u$e% ca!e! an% Ouca!e!B( of he Hara""an "eo"$e( re$i&ion of he Ta#i$! an%fina$$' he Ar'a Dhar#a or Ve%ic re$i&ion+@>.

&. The myth that !induism is a continuation of the Vedic religion

The "ro"onen! of Hin%uva !aunch$' ar&ue ha Hin%ui!# of o%a' i! a coninuaionof he Ve%ic re$i&ion. In fac( !renuou! effor! are )ein& #a%e o #a-e a nea an% un4inerru"e% $in- )e*een he Ve%ic re$i&ion an% he Hin%ui!# of o%a'+97.In he NCE;TSocia$ Science! e/)oo- for C$a!! VI *e rea%: GThe' he Ve%a! are a$!o ca$$e% he

Hindu religious literaturean% are revere%+9+. ha i! ar&ue% here i! ha he Ar'an!creae% he Hin%u re$i&ion an% civi$i!aion !o ha he Hin%u! of o%a' are he $inea$ance!or! of he Ar'an!.

u i i! a *e$$4-no*n fac ha the Vedi) "eo"le not only did not )all themselvesHindus &ut also did not "ossess the essential )hara)teristi)s of the Hinduism of today.Ho*ever( in or%er o $e&ii#i!e he ani0ui' of Hin%ui!#( Savar-ar ar&ue% ha he

+@9K.;OY( Gha ha""ene% o Confuciani!#( ?7.+@?See K.;OY( Gha ha""ene% o Confuciani!#( ?7. See a$!o .S.See A.D.MATTAM(Religions( =@4>5.+97See D.N.SIN2H(A Study of Hinduism( ++(+5.+9+.S.


18/49


*or% 1Hin%u3 i! %erive% fro# he Ve%ic a""e$$aion of Sa"tasindhus+95. S*a#iVive-anan%a c$ai#e% ha Hin%ui!# i! he re$i&ion of he Ve%a!+96. Auro)in%o )e$ieve%ha he Ve%a! are he foun%aion of he Sanatana +harma+9. Davi% Fra*$e' ar&ue! haHin%ui!# i! he o$%e! re$i&ion in he *or$% *ih a ra%iion &oin& )ac- o he ver'

)e&innin& of *ha *e -no* of a! hi!or' over five hou!an% 'ear! a&[email protected]*$e' a$!oe0uae! he Ve%ic re$i&ion *ih Hin%u %har#a+99. Thi! vie* of Hin%ui!# i! a$!o!'!e#aica$$' au&h in !choo$!. In he NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo- for C$a!! VI he!u%en! are o$%: GHin%ui!# i! a veryo$% re$i&ion. I i! a$!o -no*n a! Sanaana Dhar#ai.e. he Eerna$ S"iriua$ Tra%iion of In%ia. On he )a!i! of #aeria$ re#ain! foun% in heHara""an Civi$iLaion i can )e !ai% ha #an' of he re$i&iou! a!"ec! of Hin%ui!#

)e&an hen+9?.u he a)ove e/"$anaion i! oo !i#"$i!ic an% i ne&$ec! #an' %ocrina$ an%

"racica$ %ifference! )e*een he Ve%ic re$i&ion an% #o%ern Hin%ui!#. Mo%ernHin%ui!# ha! %rife% #i$e! a*a' fro# he Ve%ic faih !o ha he *o !ee# o )e *o%i!inc faih!. hen *e carefu$$' e/a#ine he *o faih!( i i! no %ifficu$ o %i!coverha here i! no noicea)$e coninui' of Hin%ui!# fro# he re$i&ion of he Ve%a!. Inoher *or%!( he %i!incive characeri!ic! of Hin%ui!# of o%a' )annot &e tra)edin heVe%ic $ieraure. e!i%e!( a$hou&h he Ve%a! are revere% a! !acre% e/!( here are #an'in In%ia *ho %o no -no* *ha 1)e$ief in he Ve%a!3 #ean!. In #o! ca!e!( heac0uainance of he Hin%u! *ih he Ve%a! i! $i#ie% o he fe* h'#n! ha are recie% ine#"$e! an% hou!eho$% $iur&ie!+9=.

The Ve%a! a! a )o%' of !cri"ure conain #an' conra%icion! an% he' arefraenar' in naure. For #o! Hin%u! of o%a'( !cri"ure! $i-e he hagavadgita(

Ramayana-,aha&harata an% Puranas are #ore aracive an% a""ea$in& han heVe%a!. In a%%iion( he &o%! an% &o%%e!!e! he' *or!hi" %iffer con!i%era)$' fro# heVe%ic one!. The co$$ecion of h'#n! ca$$e% Ve%a! *rien in "rai!e of cerain %eiie! )'

"oe! over !evera$ cenurie! %oe! no !ee# o have #uch !i&nificance for he Hin%u! ofo%a'( e/ce" for !cho$ar!( hou&h curren$' franic effor! are )ein& #a%e )' he

"ro"onen! of Hin%uva o revive he !u%' of he Ve%a! $i-e( he Ve%ic riua$!( Ve%ic#ahe#aic!( Ve%ic a!ro$o&'( Ve%ic San!-ri( Ve%ic a!rono#'( ec.

There are a$!o oher rea!on! o 0ue!ion he heor' ha he Ve%a! are he foun%aion!of #o%ern Hin%ui!#. Da'anan%a Sara!*ai *a! he fir! #o%ern Hin%u hin-er oe#"ha!i!e he i#"orance of 1&oin& )ac- o he Ve%a!3 in or%er o )rin& a)ou !ocia$

refor#! in Hin%u !ocie' an% o "urif' Hin%ui!# of i! #an' a)erraion!. Much of he#o%ern Hin%ui!# i! 1"uranic Hin%ui!#3. Ve%ic &o%! $i-e In%ra( Varuna( A&ni( So#aan% he $i-e( *ho# he Ve%ic "eo"$e *or!hi""e%( har%$' have an' !i&nificance in

"re!en %a' Hin%ui!#. The &o%! an% &o%%e!!e! i#"oran o he Hin%u! of o%a' are

+95See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindu Sanghatan( >.+96See The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.+( 5+.+9See AU;OINDO(India%s Re&irth->.+9@See D.F;AEY(Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +7.+99He !a'!: GIn #' ca!e I ca#e o Hin%u Dhar#a hrou&h the Vedas- the oldest tradition of Hinduism.

D.F;AEY(Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +5 E#"ha!i! a%%e%B.+9?.S.


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;a#( Kri!hna( Ka$i( 2ane!h( Hanu#an( rah#a( Vi!hnu( Shiva an% he re!"ecivecon!or! of he $a! hree( na#e$'( Sara!*ai( a-!h#i an% Sha-i. None of he!e %eiie!fi&ure% "ro#inen$' in he Ve%ic "anheon an% !o#e of he# are c$ear$' non4Ve%ic. The#a,or &o%! of Hin%ui!# $i-e Vi!hnu an% Shiva are non4Ar'an in ori&in +9>. Thou&h he'

#a' have )e$on&e% o he Ve%ic ra%iion he' "$a'e% no #a,or ro$e in he Ve%a!.K.M.


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ear$ier Ve%ic e/!( an% i! a)!en fro# he o$%er San!-ri &$o!!arie!+??. The ca!e !'!e#*hich i! !o ine&ra$ o Hin%ui!#( *a! a$!o no "racice% in he Ve%ic i#e!. There i!har%$' an' evi%ence of ri&i% ca!e !'!e# in he Ve%a!. I i! ar&ue% ha he

"urushasuktah'#n of heRig VedaQ.>7B *hich i! ofen referre% o in or%er o &ive a

re$i&iou! !ancion o ca!e !'!e#( *a! a $aer iner"o$aion. The Ve%a!( ho*ever( !"ea-of variou! c$a!!e! of "eo"$e( *hich a""ear o have )een na#e! of "rofe!!ion!( an% he'*ere no here%iar'+?=. O.


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Hence( i fo$$o*! ha he Ve%ic re$i&ion %e!erve! o )e reae% on i! o*n a! a %i!incre$i&ion *ih i! o*n !acre% e/!( rie!( ru$e! of !ocia$ $ife( )e$ief! an% "racice! *ihouiner4$in-in& i *ih #o%ern Hin%ui!#. .

In %i!cu!!in& he Ve%ic re$i&ion i i! a$!o o )e re#e#)ere% ha in he cour!e ofhi!or'( #an' non4Ar'an e$e#en! enere% ino he Ve%ic re$i&ion. The Ve%ic Ar'an!free$' )orro*e% e$e#en! fro# he cu$ure an% he !ocie' aroun% he#. u *e canno!a' *ih "reci!ion( *hich are he non4Ar'an e$e#en! in he Ve%ic re$i&ion. Therefore(

+=@See AKE;(Hindu *orld( vo$.II( ?7.+=9See J.KU;UVACHI;A( GHi!orica$


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he he!i! of he %irec ance!r' of Hin%ui!# of o%a' fro# Ve%ic re$i&ion i! o )econ!i%ere% a! a #'h "ur"ore% )' Hin%uva.

'. The myth of !induism as a single religion

To%a'( in #an' circ$e!( "eo"$e !"ea- an% *rie a)ou Hin%ui!# a! if i i! a !in&$ere$i&ion an% $en% i he !au! of a *or$% re$i&ion. Con!e0uen$'( "eo"$e have )e&an o

)e$ieve ha !uch a re$i&ion rea$$' e/i!!. Thu! here are #an' Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! *hoin!i! ha Hin%ui!# i! a !in&$e re$i&ion( an% heir va! $ieraure %e$i)erae$' "re!enHin%ui!# a! he one an% he on$' re$i&ion of he #a,ori' "o"u$aion of In%ia. Fore/a#"$e( ;a# S*aru" c$ai#!: Ghere i! one ;e$i&ion( one . A! Heinrich von Sieencron re#ar-!( Hin%ui!# i! $i-e a!'nheic "$an ha %oe! no e/i! in naure+>@.2.J.ar!on ar&ue! ha er#! $i-e 1Hin%u#a,ori'3( 1Hin%u re$i&ion3 an% 1Hin%ui!#3 are $ar&e$' an 1arificia$ cae&ori!aion3 +>9.i$fre% Can*e$$ S#ih o)!erve! ha he er# 1Hin%ui!#3 i! a fa$!e conce"ua$i!aion(one ha i! con!"icuou!$' inco#"ai)$e *ih an' a%e0uae un%er!an%in& of he re$i&iou!ou$oo- of Hin%u!( an% he er# refer! no o an eni' )u o a "ro%i&iou!$' varie&ae%

!erie! of fac!

+>?

. The i%ea of con!i%erin& Hin%ui!# a! one re$i&ion i! he creaion of heEuro"ean!.Hence i i! a #i!a-e o con!i%er Hin%ui!# a! a !in&$e re$i&ion. Hin%ui!# i! a

co$$ecion of #an' re$i&ion!( *hich are in re$aion *ih each oher( an% a$$ of he# are

+>7;.SA;U


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foun% in he !a#e &eo&ra"hica$ !"ace. The' have a$!o #an' e$e#en! in co##on *hichin he cour!e of hi!or' have inf$uence% each oher. Furher( Hin%ui!# %oe! no !"ea- ofone officia$ "o!iion )u many"ositionsP *hich are !o#ei#e! #uua$$' conra%icor'.Thi! i! an a%%e% rea!on o #ainain ha Hin%ui!# i! no one "hi$o!o"h' aroun% *hich

are )ui$ u" variou! "hi$o!o"hica$ o"inion!( )u #an' !e"arae an% in%e"en%en"hi$o!o"hie!( each *ih heir foun%er!( auhoriaive e/!( %ocrine! an% co##enarie!(!choo$! an% fo$$o*er!( "ro"a&aor! an% %efen%er!. For e/a#"$e( Hin%ui!# i! co#"$e/an% "$ura$i!ic in i! conce"ion of he naure of he a)!o$ue( "ah! o $i)eraion( naureof he $i)erae% !ae( ec. The !i/ "hi$o!o"hica$ !'!e#! darsanasB are he c$eare!e/a#"$e of i. A$$ he !i/ !'!e#! acce" he auhori' of he Ve%a! an% are con!i%ere%a! !choo$! of Hin%ui!# P *heher he' )e ahei!ic or hei!ic( #oni!ic or %ua$i!ic(

"anhei!ic or "anenhei!ic. Their #ea"h'!ica$ !"ecu$aion! an% e"i!e#o$o&ica$"o!iion! a$!o %iffer con!i%era)$'. Thu! heir %i!incivene!! an% %ifference!( he %e)ae!an% he 0uarre$! a#on& he# a$$ hrou&h hi!or'( !ho* ha here are #an' "hi$o!o"hica$!'!e#! *ihin Hin%ui!#.

;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha( i i! no $on& a&o !ince Vai!nava!( Saiva!( in&a'a!an% oher! )e&an o refer he#!e$ve! a! Hin%u! an% uni$ hen he!e ha% #ainaine% heir#u$i"$e i%eniie!. u he ae#" o force he# ino unchan&in&( !aic eniie! *ou$%!ee# o conra%ic he hi!orica$ evi%ence+>=. Hi!or' of re$i&ion! in In%ia !ho*! hahere have )een !eriou! conf$ic!( heo$o&ica$ co#"eiion! an% %e)ae! o a!!er he!u"eriori' of one re$i&ion over he oher!. Severa$ re$i&ion! have a$!o #a%e e/c$u!ivec$ai#! o he e/en of %ec$arin& he oher! a! fa$!e an% hereica$. Man' re$i&ion! havea$!o "ro%uce% !cho$ar$' reai!e! in or%er o affir# heir !e"arae i%eni' an% o%i!in&ui!h he#!e$ve! fro# oher!. Each of he!e re$i&ion! ha! a$!o heir o*n !e"araera%iion!( %ocrina$ a!"ec!( !acre% !cri"ure!( rie!( fe!iva$!( #'h!( heo$o&ian!( ho$'

"$ace! an% fo$$o*er!. A&ain( *ihin Hin%ui!#( *e can #a-e %i!incion! $i-e 1vi$$a&eHin%ui!#3( 1e#"$e Hin%ui!#3( 1%evoiona$ Hin%ui!#3( 1"o"u$ar Hin%ui!#3(1"hi$o!o"hica$ Hin%ui!#3( 1#i$ian Hin%ui!#3( an% !o forh. The!e rea!on! are!ufficien o #ainain ha here are #an' in%e"en%en re$i&ion! un%er he na#e1Hin%ui!#3.

If one can con!i%er Ju%ai!#( Chri!iani' an% I!$a# a! %i!inc re$i&ion!( havin& heiro*n foun%er!( ho$' )oo-!( rie!( na#e! for he A)!o$ue( ec.( here i! rea!on o con!i%erhe variou! !ec! *ihin Hin%ui!# a$!o a! %i!inc re$i&ion!. For e/a#"$e( Saivi!#(

Vai!hnavi!# an% Sa-i!# can ea!i$' )e con!i%ere% a! %i!inc re$i&ion!. Furher( if *eu!e he !even %i#en!iona$ ana$'!i! of re$i&ion "ro"oun%e% )' Ninian S#ar( na#e$'( heriua$( #'hica$( %ocrina$( e/"erienia$( ehica$( !ocia$ an% #aeria$+>>( *e *i$$ %i!coverha a$$ he!e %i#en!ion! are "re!en in ea)hof he a)ove 1!ec!3 of Hin%ui!#. The%i!cover' of he!e %i#en!ion! of re$i&ion i! an a%%iiona$ rea!on o con!i%er he# a!!e"arae re$i&ion!.

Hence *e #a' ar&ue ha he "ro,ecion of Hin%ui!# a! a !in&$e re$i&ion i!#i!$ea%in&( "heno#eno$o&ica$$'( hi!orica$$'( "hi$o!o"hica$$'( heo$o&ica$$' an%re$i&iou!$'. Hin%ui!#( a! *e have !een( i! a #i/ of "$ura$iie! an% conra%icion! an% i!a co##on %e!i&naion for #an' re$i&ion!. Con!e0uen$' i i! one of he #o! %ifficu$

+>=See ;.THA>+.+>>See N.SMA;T(+imensions of the Sa)red( +74+5.

+5


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re$i&ion! o %efine. Thou&h Hin%ui!# i! &enera$$' con!i%ere% a! a re$i&ion i %oe! nohave c$ear$' %efine% %ocrine!( %oa!( )e$ief!( "racice! an% a cenra$ auhori' *hichHin%u! in &enera$ are e/"ece% o acce". In fac( hi! ha! $e% !o#e o !"ea- ofHin%ui!# no a! a re$i&ion )u a! a *a' of $ife 577 )u hi! i%ea i! a raher ne*

"heno#enon( an% i i! i%eo$o&ica$$' an% "o$iica$$' #oivae% P ,u! a! Hin%uva i!%e!cri)e% a! 1a *a' of $ife3.

(. The myth of India as a !indu nation from time immemorial

Hin%u naiona$i!# u$i#ae$' ai#! a $i0ui%ain& an' cu$ure ha %oe! no fa$$ *ihinhe "urve' of Hin%ui!#. Savar-ar *roeHindutva*ih he "re#i!e ha In%ia i! a Hin%unaion fro# i#e i##e#oria$57+an% con!an$' "ro"a&ae% hi! vie* in #an' of hi!*riin&! an% "u)$ic %i!cour!e!. He !a'!: GDo*n o hi! %a' he *ho$e *or$% -no*! u!a! 1Hin%u!3 an% our $an% a! 1Hin%u!an3( a! if in fu$fi$#en of he *i!he! of our Ve%icfaher! *ho *ere he fir! o #a-e ha choice 575. Accor%in& o hi#( no oher naion inhe *or$% can c$ai# !uch an un)ro-en coninui'( e/ce" "erha"! he Chine!e 576. Hear&ue! ha in ancien i#e! he Hin%u naion *a! ca$$e% Sa"tasindhu or Sindhu.Savar-ar !a'!: GThe #o! ancien of he na#e! of our counr' of *hich *e have arecor% i! Sa"a!in%hu or Sin%u57. Thi! Sin%hu!an *a! no #ere$' a "iece of $an% )u anaion an% he )e! naion of he Ar'a!( a! %i!in&ui!he% fro# he mle))hastanor he$an% of he forei&ner!57@. 2o$*a$-ar a$!o "ro"a&ae% he i%ea ha Hin%u! *ere onenaion fro# ancien i#e!579an% ha he conce" of a Hin%u naion i! a! o$% a! heVe%a!57?.

I #u! )e reierae% ha vie*! !uch a! he a)ove are "ro%uc! of imagination*ihouan' foun%aion in rea$i'. The hi!orica$ fac i! ha here *a! no c$ear "an4Hin%ucu$ura$ uni' a an' "erio% )efore he In%ian renai!!ance in he +=h an% ear$' +>hcenurie!. K.M.


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$i)era$i!# in he +>hcenur' ha !u!aine% he !"iri of naiona$i!# in In%ia57=. Then he&oe! on o a%% ha hree facor! have inf$uence% he conce"ion of In%ia a! a naion: aBhe co#)inaion of he ne*$' creae% !e$f4i#a&e hrou&h recon!ruce% hi!or' )B heconce" of naiona$i!# a! a mysti/ue uniin& he "eo"$e of a !in&$e errior' ino

!o#ehin& %ifferen fro# he re! of he *or$% an% cB he %ocrine of he !ae a! hee#)o%i#en of he "eo"$e. A$$ he!e hree ori&inae% %ue o In%ia3! conac *ihEuro"e57>.

In a )i% o acco##o%ae he non4Hin%u cu$ure! an% re$i&ion! of In%ia !o#e ne* an%$i)era$ iner"reaion! of Hin%uva have a$!o e#er&e%. To%a' here i! an ae#" oiner"re Hin%uva !i#"$' a! 1In%ian cu$ure3 or 1a! a *a' of $ife3. u he!e &o )e'on%he conce" of Hin%uva "ro"oun%e% )' Savar-ar an% 2o$*a$-ar. For e/a#"$e( !o#eHin%uva i%eo$o&ue! $i-e .K.A%vani !"ea- of he fo$$o*er! of I!$a# a! 1Moha##a%iHin%u!3( Chri!ian! $ivin& in In%ia a! 1Chri!ian Hin%u!3 an% he Si-h! a! 1Si-hHin%u!35+7. A%vani *a! on$' re"eain& *ha he Hin%u Maha!a)ha ha% a$rea%'%e#an%e% in +>@+. N..Khare of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha %ec$are% in hi! "re!i%enia$a%%re!!:

The Hin%u Maha!a)ha )e$ieve! in #i$iari!in& Hin%ui!# an% Hin%ui!in& "o$iic!. I !a'( 14o a ste"further- and Hinduise all foreign faiths#. I can herefore a$!o inc$u%e in i! fo$% he four forei&n8)orn re$i&ion! *hich are "racice% in In%ia( viL. I!$a#( Chri!iani'( oroa!riani!# an% Je*i!#. .They must )all themselves Hindus#The' #u! a$i&n he#!e$ve! *ih he Hin%u &rou" for )eer or for*or!e( . The' #u! a)!ain fro# co*4-i$$in& an% )eef4 eain&. An% he' #u! re&ar% he 1AncienHi!or' of In%ia3 a! heir o*n an% re!"ec he heroe! of In%ian hi!or' . In !hor( he!e faih! #u!no $oo- for heir cu$ure o Ara)ia( Euro"e(


26/49


a&no!ic!( Mu!$i#!( ance!or or naure *or!hi""er!5+5. Kaherine K. Youn& re#in%! u!ha he e#"eror A!ho-a a$#o! !uccee%e% in #a-in& u%%hi!# a Sae re$i&ion in hehir% cenur' .C5+6.Ninian S#ar #ainain! a !i#i$ar vie*. He criici!e! in !ron& er#!he en%enc' o con!i%er he !or' of In%ia a! he !or' of Hin%ui!#. He affir#!: GFor

one of our #o%ern o"ica$ i$$u!ion! i! o !ee he !or' of In%ia a! )ein& he !or' ofHin%u!( for&ein& he !o "o*erfu$ effec! of u%%hi!#( Jaini!# an% oher #ove#en!%urin& he "erio%! of In%ia3! hi!or'5+.

There *a! never a "o$iica$ uni' in he In%ian !u)coninen un%er he )anner ofHinduismP for ha #aer here *a! never a "o$iica$ uni' in he rue !en!e of heer# a an' i#e in he "a! In%ia of o%a' *a! a con&$o#eraion of nu#erou! "e'-in&%o#!5+@. I i! !ai% ha here are hree #a,or e"och! in hi!or' *hen In%ia aaine%!o#e %e&ree of onene!! or a $ea! #ove% o*ar%! a "an4In%ia e#"ire: he i#e ofA!ho-a c.5?64569 .CB5+9( A-)ar +@@94+97@B5+?an% he rii!h( an% none of he!e *a!Hin%u. There never *a! he #uch4eu$o&i!e% one Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$.In!ea% here *ere nu#erou! in%e"en%en -in&%o#! *ho!e vi!ion of he 1naion3 %i% no&o )e'on% he )or%er! of heir in%ivi%ua$ -in&%o#!. e!i%e!( he Hin%u ru$er! ha% noi#e o "ur!ue he vi!ion of one Hin%u naion for he' *ere oo )u!' *ih *ar! an%

"e' 0uarre$! a#on& he#!e$ve! or )era'in& one anoher o he ene#ie! an% inva%er!.Hence he heor' ha In%ia *a! a Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$ i! a #'h.

). The myth that animists* +uddhists* ,ains and -ihs are !indus

Koenraa% E$! in hi! )oo- *ho is a Hindu0 Revivalist Vie(s of Animism- uddhism-Sikhism and 'ther 'ffshoots of Hinduism5775B( ar&ue! ha he fo$$o*er of Ani#i!#(u%%hi!# an% Si-hi!# are Hin%u!5+=. There are !cho$ar! *ho in!i! ha he Jain! oo areHin%u!. u he!e c$ai#! can )e cone!e%.

5+5See . uoin& a$oo


27/49


In he fir! "$ace( he ar&u#en i! ne* an% i ca#e ino "ro#inence on$' !ince hee#er&ence of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&'. Uni$ hen( neiher he u%%hi!! nor he Jain! norhe Si-h! nor he ani#i!! *ere a*are ha he' co#e un%er Hin%ui!#. No even heHin%u! he#!e$ve! -ne* ha !uch a "o!!i)i$i' e/i!e%( a! he' ha% a$*a'! reae% he#

a! in%e"en%en faih! havin& heir i%eniie! !e"arae fro# Hin%ui!#. For e/a#"$eAuro)in%o !a'!: 1There *ere a$!o re$i&iou! co##uniie! $i-e he u%%hi!!( he Jain!(ec. Each fo$$o*e% i! o*n $a* 8svadharma5+>. u he c$ai# ha ani#i!!( u%%hi!!(Jain! an% Si-h! are Hin%u! i! i%eo$o&ica$$' an% "o$iica$$' #oivae%( an% i ha! #uch o%o *ih Hin%uva3! concern *ih nu#)er! an% voe )an-.

I *a! Savar-ar *ho #ainaine% ha one can )e a rue Hin%u even if he %oe! noacce" he Ve%a!( a! i! he ca!e *ih he Jain!( Si-h!( u%%hi!! an% oher!557inc$u%in&he !o4ca$$e% a)ori&ina$ or hi$$ ri)e!55+. 2o$*a$-ar a$!o he$% a !i#i$ar vie* an%con!i%ere% he!e re$i&ion! a! he variou!sam"radays*ihin he Hin%u fo$%. ;eferrin&o a Vi!hva Hin%u conference he$% a U%u"i in +>9> 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GA$$ he variou!

sam"radayas!ec! in he Hin%u fo$% 8 he Shaiva( Veera!haiva( Ma%h*a( Vai!hnava(Jaina( u%%ha an% Si-h 8 *ere re"re!ene% in he conference 555. Oher Hin%uvai%eo$o&ue! !oon oo- u" hi! heor' an% &ave i *i%e %iffu!ion. For e/a#"$e( ;a#S*aru" con!i%er! u%%hi!# a! Hin%u in i! ori&in an% %eve$o"#en556. He !a'!:Gu%%hi!# for#! an ini#ae "ar of Hin%u con!ciou!ne!!. u%%ha *a! a Hin%u(u%%hi!# i! Hin%u in i! ori&in an% %eve$o"#en( in i! ar( an% archiecure(icono&ra"h'( $an&ua&e( )e$ief!( "!'cho$o&'( na#e!( no#enc$aure( re$i&iou! vo*! an%!"iriua$ %i!ci"$ine55. Sia ;a# 2oe$ affir#!: GThe er# 1Hin%ui!#3 i! u!e% ocover a$$ !choo$! of Sanaana Dhar#a 8 u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Shaivi!#( Sha-i!# an%Vai!hnavi!# *hich inc$u%e! he Sana4mata an% Si-hi!#55@. D.N.Sin&h !a'!: Gor%u%%ha *a! )orn a Hin%u an% made some )hangesin he Hin%u re$i&ion. He foun%e%*ha i! no* -no*n a! u%%hi!#. or% Mahavira a$!o made some amendmentsin Hin%ure$i&ion( an% Jaini!# in i! "re!en for# *a! )orn559. Davi% Fra*$e' i! anoherHin%uva i%eo$o&ue *ho rea! u%%hi!#( Jaini!# an% oher re$i&ion! of In%ian ori&ina! "ar of Hin%ui!#55?.

Theoreica$$'( %efiniion of a Hin%u in Savar-ar3! Hindutva +>56B an% M.S.2o$*a$-ar3! *e or 'ur nationhood +efined+>6>B *a! for#u$ae% o !ui he c$ai# hahe a)ove re$i&ion! are "ar of Hin%ui!# !ince he' have heir Faher$an% "itru&huB an%Ho$' $an% "unya&huB in In%ia. Savar-ar !a'!: GHin%ui!# i! a *or% ha "ro"er$'

!"ea-in& !hou$% )e a""$ie% o a$$ he re$i&iou! )e$ief! ha he %ifferen co##uniie! of5+>AU;OINDO(India%s Re&irth( [email protected] V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( =+. See a$!o ID.(Hindu Sanghatan( =4>(+67(++.55+See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindu Sanghatan( +67.555M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( [email protected] ;.SA;U


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he Hin%u "eo"$e ho$%55=. Sh'a#a .Ho*ever( he fac i! ha( a$$ he a)ove re$i&ion! are distin)t faithsan% #o! of he#

ca#e ino )ein& a! revo$! a&ain! rah#ani!# an% i! !"iriua$ an% "hi$o!o"hica$ra%iion!. Kaherine K. Youn& !a'! ha u%%hi!# an% Jaini!#( for in!ance( )e&an a!e/re#e$' criica$ aac-! on Ve%ic re$i&ion an% ca#"ai&ne% a&ain! i an% i! !u)!e0uenfor# a! Hin%ui!# for cenurie!567. A.D.Maa# !a'!: GJaini!# *a! he re!u$ of hereacion a&ain! he riua$i!ic re$i&ion of he rah#ana! an% he !u"re#ac' of herah#in c$a!!56+ Gi-e Mahavira he he u%%ha oo re,ece% he Ve%a!( Ve%ic!acrifice! an% riua$!565. Orho%o/ Hin%u! $i-e A%i San-ara( Da'anan%a Sara!*ai(Vive-anan%a an% !o on con!i%ere% u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# a! arch riva$! of Hin%ui!#an% %enounce% he# ouri&h in heir *riin&! an% %i!cour!e!. For e/a#"$e( A%iSan-ara3! Vedanta Sutra hasyaconain! nu#erou! "a!!a&e! *hich revea$ ha he *a!ini#ica$ o*ar%! u%%hi!# an% Jaini!#. A)ou San-ara3! invo$ve#en in he%i!a""earance of u%%hi!# fro# In%ia Vive-anan%a !a'!: Gu%%hi!# %e&enerae%( an%Shan-ara $o""e% i offR566. Cha"er +5 of Da'ana%a Sara!*ai3! Satyartha Prakash( i!eni$e% 1Ahei!ic Cu$! of In%ia Carvaca!( u%%hi!# an% Jaini!#3( an% Da'anan%aen&a&e! in !'!e#aic criici!# an% refuaion of he!e !choo$! of hou&h56.Vive-anan%a !a'!: G*herever he *en( u%%ha rie% o "u$$ %o*n ever' o$% hin& !acre%o he Hin%u! o he %u!( So %i% he Jain!( *ho $au&he% a he i%ea of 2o% 56@GEver' "a&e of u%%hi!# i! a fi&h *ih he Ve%a!. u he ha% no auhori' o %o!o569 Gu%%hi!# *a! e/re#e$' iconoc$a!ic an% #uch of i! force )ein& !"en in#ere$' ne&aive ae#"!( i ha% o %ie ou in he $an% of i! )irh( an% *ha re#aine% ofi )eca#e fu$$ of !u"er!iion! an% cere#onia$!( a hun%re% i#e! cru%er han ho!e i *a!inen%e% o !u""re!!56?.

55= V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +7@. He !ai%: GHin%ui!# #u! nece!!ari$' #ean he re$i&ion or he

re$i&ion! ha are "ecu$iar an% naive o hi! $an% an% he!e "eo"$e: I&id.( +7 G#i$$ion! of our Si-h!(

Jain!( in&a'a!( !evera$ Sa#a,ii! an% oher! *ou$% %ee"$' re!en o )e o$% ha he' P *ho!e

faher!3!ic faher! u" o he enh &eneraion ha% he )$oo% of Hin%u! in heir vein! P ha% !u%%en$'

cea!e% o )e Hin%uRI&id.( +79. I i! o )e noe% ha in Savar-ar3! *riin&! he !ae#en ha u%%hi!!

an% hi$$ ri)e! are Hin%u! i! no ver' fre0uen( e!"ecia$$' if *e co#"are i *ih hi! reference! o he Si-h!

an% he Jain!.55>S.


29/49


Savar-ar a$!o %i% "a!! !o#e har!h ,u%&e#en on he u%%hi!! !ain& ha !o#e ofhe u%%hi! Vihara! !he$ere% $oo!e( $aL' an% "ro#i!cuou! cro*% of #en an% *o#en*ho $ive% on oher! an% !"en *ha *a! no heir! on %i!re"ua)$e "ur!ui! of $ife 56=.2o$*a$-ar( in !o#e of hi! *riin&!( %oe! no he!iae o ca$$ he u%%hi!! fanaic! an%

raior! of In%ian cu$ure. He !a'!: GAfer u%%ha( hi! fo$$o*er! here %e&enerae%. The')e&an o u"roo he a&e4o$% naiona$ ra%iion! of hi! $an%. The &rea cu$ura$ virue!fo!ere% in our !ocie' *ere !ou&h o )e %e#o$i!he%. he u%%hi! fanati)sinvie%an% he$"e% he forei&n a&&re!!or! *ho *ore he #a!- of u%%hi!#. The u%%hi! !echa% urne% a traitor o he #oher !ocie' an% he #oher re$i&ion56> Arun Shourieo"en$' %enounce! .;.A#)e%-ar( one of he ou!an%in& $ea%er! of he 1unoucha)$e!3an% a conver o u%%hi!#57. u o%a'( he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva !e$%o# #enionhe!e fac!( a! i can )e e#)arra!!in& o heir i%eo$o&' an% u"!e heir 1nu#)er &a#e3.

The rea!on for Hin%uva c$ai#in& ha 1ani#i!!3 are Hin%u! i! no %ifficu$ oun%er!an%. So far( he J


30/49


a "heno#eno$o&ica$ "oin of vie*( *e o)!erve ha( he a%heren! of u%%hi!#( Jaini!#(Si-hi!# an% 1ani#i!#3 #ainain heir i%eni' a! !e"arae re$i&ion!( an% are convince%ha he' do not)e$on& o Hin%ui!#. In a%%iion( i i! a$!o no %ifficu$ o %i!cover haeach of he!e re$i&ion! ha! i! o*n '"ica$ re$i&iou! e/"erience!( foun%er! e/ce"

"erha"! he ani#i!!B( %ocrine!( "racice!( riua$! an% he $i-e( *hich are %i!inc fro#Hin%ui!#.

Ninian S#ar ar&ue! ha( a! a re$i&ion( u%%hi!# i! "rioro Hin%ui!#. Accor%in& ohi#( *ha *e no* -no* a! Hin%ui!# ha% no 'e co#e ino e/i!ence a he i#e of heu%%ha in he !i/h cenur' .C. Hence( i i! #i!$ea%in& o !ee he u%%hi!! a! a -in%of )rea-a*a' &rou" fro# Hin%ui!#. e!i%e!( for a $on& "erio% of In%ian hi!or'( heforce! of u%%hi!# an% oher #ove#en! !uch a! Jaini!#( $ive% !i%e )' !i%e *ih he%eve$o"in& re$i&io!i' of he Hin%u ra%iion5@. K.M..

Tri)a$! of In%ia canno a$!o )e con!i%ere% a! Hin%u! )ecau!e he' have heir o*n%i!inc re$i&iou! i%eni' *ih )e$ief!( "racice!( rie!( !acre% ra%iion!( *hich%i!in&ui!h he# fro# Hin%ui!#( an% he' have a$$ he characeri!ic! foun% in he#a,or re$i&ion! of he *or$% P a $ea! in a nu!he$$5@7. In #o%ern i#e! in!ea% of heer# 1ani#i!!3 he' are &enera$$' %e!i&nae% a! 1ra%iiona$ re$i&ion!3. u i can ha""enha un%er he "roce!! of San!-rii!aion( he enire ri)e or "ar of i can &e ine&rae%

i!e$f ino Hin%u re$i&ion or u!e cerain a!"ec! of Hin%u re$i&ion *ihou #uchref$ecion( !uch a! rie!( fe!iva$!( #'h!( ru$e! of "uri'( !ocia$ nor#!( ec. The!e facor!

5@See N.SMA;T( *orld Philoso"hies( +64+.59See K.M.


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#a-e i ea!' o con!i%er he# a! "ar of Hin%ui!# P *hich in rea$i' can har%$' )e,u!ifie%.

u *h' i! here !uch an in!i!ence on he "ar of Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! ha u%%hi!!(Jain!( Si-h! an% ani#i!! are Hin%u! The an!*er i! o )e !ou&h in he "o$iica$ a&en%a

of Hin%uva *hich ai#! a e!a)$i!hin& a Hindu rashtraHin%u naionB ou of !ecu$arIn%ia for *hich 1he nu#)er3 i! a crucia$ facor. e "re!en )e$o* a !ai!ica$ !u%'carrie% ou )' 2.J.ar!on. He !a'! ha a)ou 56 "er cen of In%ia3! "o"u$aion co#eun%er he cae&or' of Sche%u$e% Tri)e! STB an% Sche%u$e% Ca!e! SCB. If oneco#)ine! he SC! an% ST! *ih oher 1#inori'3 re$i&iou! co##uniie!( na#e$'(Mu!$i#! ++.@ "er cenB( Chri!ian! 5.@ "er cenB( Si-h! 5 "er cenB( u%%hi!!( 7.?@

"er cenB( Jain! 7.@7 "er cenB( an% Oher! 7.@7 "ercenB( one co#e! ver' near a oa$ of7 "er cen of In%ia3! "o"u$aion. Thi! !i$$ $eave! !o#e 97 "ercen for he cae&or' of1Hin%u3 )u of he!e 97 "ercen( only 9: "er )ent con!iue he !o4ca$$e% 1for*ar%ca!e!3 rah#in!( hu#ihar!. ;a,"u!( Maraha!( Ja!( Vai!h'a ania!( Ka'a!ha! an%!o onB( $eavin& 7 "er cen for he un%eer#ine% cae&or' -no*n a! 1Oher ac-*ar%C$a!!e!35@+. ar!on3! !u%' revea$!( o !o#e e/en( *h' Hin%uva i! concerne% a)ou

)rin&in& a! #an' re$i&iou! &rou"! a! "o!!i)$e un%er he u#)re$$a of Hin%ui!# P i i!re$ae% o he !rae&' of i! nu#)er &a#e5@5.

A.D.Maa#( ha! cha$$en&e% he c$ai# of he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva ha he#a,ori' of he "eo"$e in In%ia are Hin%u!. He ar&ue! ha he cen!u! of In%ia inf$ae hefi&ure! of Hin%u!. The acua$ "ercena&e of Hin%u! #u! )e $e!! han 7 "er cen or !oof he "o"u$aion of In%ia if !ric crieria are fo$$o*e% 5@6. Maa# a$!o refer! oV.T.;a,a!he-ar *ho #a-e! a $i! of ho!e *ho are no Hin%u! or *ere never Hin%u!(na#e$'( Sche%u$e% ca!e! 57B Tri)a$! +7B( ac-*ar% ca!e! 7B *hich #a-e! aoa$ of ?7 of In%ia3! "o"u$aion. Then here are Mu!$i#! +@B( Chri!ian! 5.@B(Si-h! 5B *hich a%%! u" o a oa$ of +>.@. Hence a oa$ of >7 are no 1Hin%u35@.

Hin%uva i! e!!enia$$' an i%eo$o&' of he Hin%u u""er ca!e!( an% )ein& a #inori')' he#!e$ve! he' *i$$ never )e a)$e o o)ain a c$ear #a,ori' in he


32/49


1/. The myth of !induism as the most tolerant religion

There i! a *i%e$' "o"u$ari!e% )e$ief ha Hin%ui!# never in%u$&e% in re$i&iou!"er!ecuion( an% ha i i! he #o! o$eran of a$$ he *or$% re$i&ion!. For e/a#"$e(Davi% Fra*$e' c$ai#! ha Hin%ui!# i! he !u"er o$eran re$i&ion 5@@. Savar-ar ca$$!In%ia he 1$an% of o$eraion35@9. 2o$*a$-ar c$ai#!: GThere ha! never )een a conf$icor ino$erance in our counr' eiher in he "a! or in he "re!en5@?. D.N.Sin&h ar&ue!ha he !ecre of he !urviva$ of he Hin%u re$i&ion( in !"ie of he #an' inva!ion! iencounere%( $ie! in i! o$erance of ou!i%er! an% heir )e$ief!5@=.

I #u! )e e#"ha!i!e% ha Hin%ui!#3! c$ai# ha i i! 1he #o! o$eran re$i&ion3( 1are$i&ion *hich never in%u$&e% in "er!ecuion of oher!3 an% !o on are fa$!e. In Ju$' 5776he inernaiona$ #ini!eria$ conference on 1Dia$o&ue a#on& Civi$i!aion!3 conc$u%e%*ih he a%o"ion of a re!o$uion *hich acce"e% 1o$erance a! a fun%a#ena$ va$ue

co##on o a$$ civi$i!aion!3

5@>

. If a re$i&ion conceive! non4vio$ence or $ove a! afun%a#ena$ virue( o$erance ha! o )e one of he ha$$#ar-! of ha re$i&ion. The virueof 1o$erance3 i! i#"$ie% in he eachin&! of "racica$$' a$$ he &rea re$i&ion! of he*or$%. In In%ia *e have e/a#"$e! of e#"eror! an% naiona$ fi&ure! *ho have )een &rea#o%e$! of re$i&iou! o$erance: A!ho-a3! o$erance *a! foun%e% on u%%hi!#( A-)ar3!on I!$a#( Maha#a 2an%hi3! on Hin%ui!# an% Moher Tere!a3! on Chri!iani'.

Ho*ever( if *e &o )' evi%ence! fro# hi!or'( Hin%ui!# does not%e!erve he honourof )ein& he #o! o$eran re$i&ion. An%rW Wei$$e noe! ha in Hin%ui!# he "rinci"$eof hierarch' c$a!he! *ih ha of o$eraion597. Hi!or' e$$! u! ha Hin%ui!# ha! )eenino$eran o*ar%! ho!e re$i&ion!( cu$ure! an% i%eo$o&ie! ha %i% no a$$o* he#!e$ve!

o )e %o#inae% )' Hin%ui!#. Ofen( for Hin%ui!#( o$erance #ean! conce%in& o henon4Hin%u! a !u)or%inae ro$e *ihou ri&h! an% "rivi$e&e!. A&ain( o$erance forHin%ui!# i#"$ie! a!!i#i$aion( ine&raion an% %o#inaion of he Oher. Thi! a!"ec ofHin%ui!# i! c$ear$' !ae% )' Auro)in%o. He !a'!: Gu !he In%ia( Hin%ui!#a!!i#i$ae! on$' *hen her cenra$ ruh i! reco&ni!e% )' he oher "ar'( an% even *hi$ea!!i#i$ain& !he %oe! i in !uch a *a' ha he e$e#en! a)!or)e% are no $on&erreco&ni!a)$e a! forei&n )u )eco#e "ar of her!e$f59+. In +>@5( N.C.Chaer,ee( he

"re!i%en of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha a$!o e#"ha!i!e% hi! a!"ec of Hin%ui!#:

The Hun!( he Sc'hian!( he 2ree-! *ere a$$ a)!or)e% ino he &rea Hin%u fo$%. The

&rea Dravi%ian "eo"$e *ere a$!o )rou&h un%er he inf$uence of Hin%u civi$i!aion. So$on& a! Hin%ui!# *a! a $ivin& or&ani!#( i cou$% )oh a)!or) an% re!i! i cou$% )oh )ea&&re!!ive an% a he !a#e i#e i cou$% a!!i#i$ae an% e$evae o hi&her $eve$ he un4Ar'an or non4Ar'an ri)e! or "eo"$e! *ho# i !he$ere%595.

5@@See D.F;AEY(Arise Arjuna( 5.5@9See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindutva( 595@?M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts-+95.5@=See D.N.SIN2H(A Study of Hinduism(++.5@>See G1To$erance Co##on o A$$ Civi$i!aion!3( +5.597See A. XTEIE G;e$i&ion an% Socie'( =.59+AU;OINDO(India%s Re&irth( +??.595N.C.CHATTE;JEE(Presidential Address+>@5B( 6.

+@+


33/49


hen he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva ar&ue ha u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Si-hi!# an% ani#i!#are "ar of Hin%ui!#( i i! an ae#" o a!!i#i$ae an% %o#inae he!e re$i&ion!. ?.59?See ;[email protected]= See ;.THA?@. See a$!o ;.C.MAJUMDA;( GThe I#"eria$ Cri!i!( 6?

;.2ANDHI(Revenge and Re)on)iliation( 9?.59>See ;.THA?@. See a$!o Gha ha""ene% o Jain!( [email protected]?7See ;.THA?@. See a$!o Gha ha""ene% o Jain!( 5@459.

+@5


34/49


he e#er&ence of A%i Sana-ra5?+. A.D.Maa# !a'!: GThe %ec$ine of u%%hi!# an%Jaini!# in Ta#iLha-a# )e&an )' =hcenur' A.D. a! a re!u$ of he vi&orou! "ro"a&an%a$e% )' #i!!ionarie! $i-e Sri San-arachar'a.The u%%hi!! an% Jain! i a""ear! *ere!o#ei#e! !u),ece% o vio$en "er!ecuion a he han%! of he fo$$o*er! of

Hin%ui!#5?5. I i! !ai% ha( on he *ho$e( Saivi!i# *a! #ore "rone o "er!ecuin&co#"eior! han Vai!navi!#5?6.

A%i San-ara *ho "reache% he e8)lusive religion of he A%vaia Ve%ana( *a!"ri#ari$' re!"on!i)$e for he %i!a""earance of u%%hi!# fro# he $an% of i! )irh. Infac( a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- #a-e! no !ecre of he fac ha u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# *ereoverhro*n )' Ku#ari$a haa an% A%i San-ara5?. The ino$eran -in& Sa!an-a )urnan% %e!ro'e% he o%hi4ree a 2a'a a! Hiuan4T!an& he u%%hi! "i$&ri# fro# Chinanarrae!5?@. In Mani"ur( Norhea! In%ia( *hen he Meihei -in& 4+?=B *a! convere% o Hin%ui!#( he #a%e Hin%ui!# he Sae re$i&ion.An' re$i&iou! %i!!en *a! reae% *ih he !a#e ruh$e!! !everi' a! *a! #ee% ou o

"o$iica$ o""onen!( an% *ho$e!a$e )ani!h#en or e/ecuion force% he "eo"$e inoacce"in& he ene! of Hin%ui!#5?9.

Ca!e !'!e# an% unoucha)i$i' are a$!o e/"re!!ion! of he re$i&iou! ino$erance ofu""er ca!e Hin%u! o*ar%! he $o*er ca!e! an% ouca!e!. In +>6( *hen he rii!h2overn#en *ane% o inro%uce he unoucha)i$i' a)o$iion )i$$( !evera$ Hin%uor&ani!aion! an% &rou"! o),ece% o i. For e/a#"$e( he Sanaana Dhar#a Sa)ha of

Nainia$ *roe o he 2overnor 2enera$ hu!:

Tha he unoucha)i$i' )i$$ i! a&ain! he "rinci"$e! of he Sanaana Dhar#a an% ani4re$i&iou! an% he

Sa)ha re0ue!! he 2overnor42enera$4in4Counci$ no o a$$o* i o "a!! ino $a* a! i inerfere! *ih

Hin%u re$i&ion. . Sanaana Dhar#a i! Eerna$ a* herefore hi! Sa)ha re0ue!! he 2overn#en

ha i! re$i&ion( cu!o#!( *a'! of $ife en,oine% )' i! fo$$o*er! fro# i#e i##e#oria$ #a' )e

"re!erve%5??.

The #an' %i!cri#inaor' $a*!( e!"ecia$$' ho!e i#"o!e% )' The $a(s of ,anua&ain! *o#en are a$!o #ar-! of Hin%u ino$erance. A)ou he $a*! of Manu i ha! )een!ai%: Ghe,anu.smrtii! o%a' e/ecrae% )' he $o*er ca!e!( *ho re&ar% i virua$$' a! a

)$ue"rin of )rah#in %o#inaion( a f$a&ran "iece of )rah#anica$ i#"o!ure5?=. In oher*or%!( he $on& ra%iion of o$erance of #an' 1cri#e! a&ain! hu#ani'3 an% vio$aion

of hu#an ri&h! *ihin Hin%ui!# i! i!e$f a !"ecie! of ino$erance. In !"ie of a$$ hi!("ara%o/ica$$'( S*a#i Vive-anan%a !ae!: Gin In%ia here never *a! an' re$i&iou!

5?+See a$!o Gha ha""ene% o Jain!( 56459. See a$!o ;.2ANDHI( Revenge and Re)on)iliation( 9@4

9?.5?5A.D.MATTAM(Religions( >74>+.5?6See ;.THA?9.5?See .2.TIAK( The 'rion-+. See a$!o Gha ha""ene% o Jain!( 5645.5?@See ;. DE SMET(. GSaivi!#( 6+.5?9See T.C.HODSON( The ,eitheis( >@.5??G;e!"on!e of Sanaana Dhar#a Sa)ha( 6+465.5?=.AKE;(Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 5>.

+@6


35/49


"er!ecuion )' he Hin%u!5?>. He !a'! furher: Gefore he Moha##e%an *ave ca#eino In%ia( i *a! never -no*n *ha re$i&iou! "er!ecuion *a!5=7. Auro)in%o c$ai#!ha Hin%ui!# i! he #o! o$eran an% rece"ive of a$$ re$i&iou! !'!e#!5=+.

Da'anan%a Sara!*ai in hi! conrover!ia$ *or- Satyartha Prakash c$ear$'

%e#on!rae% hi! ino$erance o*ar%! a$$ non4Hin%u re$i&ion! an% "hi$o!o"hie! in hecriici!# he $eve$$e% a&ain! he Carvaca!( u%%hi!!( Jain!5=5( Mu!$i#!5=6 an%Chri!ian!5=. Thi! *or-( even o%a'( re#ain! a! a nooriou! 1#a!er"iece3 an% e!a#enof Hin%u ino$erance. Savar-ar( )e!i%e! "ro,ecin& Chri!iani'( Ju%ai!#( oroa!riani!#a! forei&n re$i&ion!( "re!ene% he Mu!$i#! a! he &reae! ene#ie! of Hin%ui!# an% ofhe Hin%u naion. He ofen u!e% !uch e"ihe! a! 1Mu!$i# &oon%a!3 an% 1Mu!$i#hoo$i&an!5=@ in hi! *riin&! an% !"eeche!. In +>@ .S.Moon,e *roe o Maha#a2an%hi ha he ha% no choice )u o re,ec he $aer3! non4vio$ence )ecau!e he Hin%uMaha!a)ha *a! for 1vio$ence or&ani!e% an% %i!ci"$ine% on #o%ern !cienific $ine!3 a!o""o!e% o he )harka!"innin& *hee$B )ecau!e 1i e#a!cu$ae! #an$ine!!35=9. In +>@5(%urin& he "re!i%enia$ a%%re!! of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha N.C.Chaer,ee !ae%: Ge#u! #a-e Hin%ui!# a&&re!!ive an% #i$ian5=?. He *en on o a%%: GS*a#iVive-anan%a "reache% a&&re!!ive Hin%ui!#. He *ane% u! o #a-e our faiha&&re!!ive( no on$' inernaiona$$'( )' !en%in& ou #i!!ionarie! )u a$!o !ocia$$'( )'!e$f4i#"rove#en5==. For 2o$*a$-ar( Mu!$i#!( Chri!ian! an% Co##uni!! are inerna$hrea! o In%ia5=>an% u%%hi!! are ene#ie! of Hin%u cu$ure5>7.

Arun Shourie i! anoher Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue *ho ha! #anife!e% hi! ino$eranceo*ar%! he #inori' re$i&ion! an% !ecu$ar i%eo$o&ie! of In%ia in hi! nu#erou! *riin&!.Hi! #ain ar&e! are he Chri!ian!( Mu!$i#!( Co##uni!!( Da$i!( an% he !ecu$ari!! in&enera$5>+. Hin%uva *rier! $i-e ;a# S*aru"( Sia ;a# 2oe$( $ea%er! of Hin%uvaor&ani!aion! $i-e 2irira, Ki!hore( K.S.Su%ar!han( +.5=7The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.+( 6=.5=+See AU;OINDO(India%s Re&irth( +6.5=5For Da'anan%a3! criici!# of he Carvaca!( u%%hi!# an% Jain! !ee D.SA;ASATI( Satyartha

Prakashcha"er QII.5=6See D.SA;ASATI( Satyartha Prakashcha"er QIV.5=See D.SA;ASATI( Satyartha Prakashcha"er QIII.5=@See V.D.SAVA;KA;(Hindu Sanghatan( +7(++6 ID.Histori) Statements- 6(>(+6(5+([email protected]=9See Moon,e @( a! cie% in C.JAFF;EOT(

The Hindu nationalist ,ovement( 9 foonoe [email protected]=?N.C.CHATTE;JEE(Presidential Address( +>@5B( .5==N.C.CHATTE;JEE(Presidential Address( +>@5B( .5=>See M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( +??457+.5>7See M.S.2OAKA;(un)h of Thoughts( ?7.5>+See for in!ance hi! The 'nly 7atherland+>>+B(A Se)ular Agenda+>>6B(,issionaries inIndia

+>>B( The *orld of 7at(as+>>@B( *orshi""ing 7alse 4ods+>>?B(Harvesting our Souls5777B.

+@


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hen Naren%ra Mo%i he Chief Mini!er of 2u,ara vi!ie% En&$an% in Au&u! 5776!o#e of he "roe!er! in on%on carrie% "o!er! *ih !uch ca"ion! a!: 1Naren%ra Mo%ihe )ucher of 2u,ara3( 1Mr.Mo%i 'ou are #ur%erer no frien% of 2u,ara3( 1Arre! an%

,ai$ Mo%i3( ec5>5. The 4uardian"$ace% Mo%i in he ra%iion of Hi$er an% Mi$o!evic an%

carrie% a i$e 1He i! )$a#e% for he %eah of 5(777 Mu!$i#! in In%ia. So *h' i! hi! #anin e#)$e'35>6. In A"ri$ 577 in a Su"re#e Cour ver%ic he ,u%&e! %e!cri)e% Mo%ione of he #o%ern4%a' Nero!5>. So#e have even !u&&e!e% ha Mo%i !hou$% !ee a

"!'chiari! for he !ee#! o )e #ena$$' i$$5>@. In !"ie of hi!( !o#e of he J< $ea%er!"ro,ece% Naren%ra Mo%i a! a "o!!i)$e can%i%ae o !uccee% he for#er ?. A$$ he!e fac! cha$$en&e he c$ai# of Hin%ui!# ca$$in& i!e$f a o$eran re$i&ion.

The %e#o$iion of he a)ri #o!0ue a A'o%h'a )' he Hin%u karsevaks+>>5B5>=( he)urnin& a$ive of 2raha# Saine! an% hi! *o #inor !on! in Ori!!a +>>>B an% he

nu#erou! oher inci%en! of aac-! a&ain! he Chri!ian co##uni' an% he "o!2o%hra even! of 2u,ara a&ain! he Mu!$i# co##uni' 5775B rai!e !eriou! 0ue!ion!a&ain! Hin%u o$erance. So#e i#e a&o( he VH< $ea%er 5See M.2.KHAN( GUK Mu!$i#! 6See S.SU;I( GNo* e ai for he i&h( 65.5>See G;io ;eria$( +.5>@See GMo%i !hou$% See a

Christianity( vo$.+( @.5>=See A.K.SAHAY e%.B( The Re"u&li) esmir)hed ; +e)em&er 9


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Mu!$i# #a%ra!a! ahei! !e#inarie! ha hae 2o%5>>. The ;SS chief K.S.Su%ar!han"u)$ic$' !ae% in Na&"ur ha he Je!ui! have )een -no*n for heir vio$en( a&&re!!ivean% e/c$u!ivi! re$i&iou! )e$ief!. Hence he ur&e% he "re!en In%ian >See .677See GJe!ui! !hou$% no )e a$$o*e%( .67+GJe!ui! !hou$% no )e A$$o*e%( .675K. SIN2H( The End of India( +=4+>.676GSaffroni!in& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%( 5.67See GSaffroni!in& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%( 59.67@GSaffroni!in& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%( 59.

+@9


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#an' Hin%uva *riin&! Ju%ai!# an% oroa!riani!#( in !"ie of heir "re!ence in In%iafro# ancien i#e!( are a$!o reae% a! forei&n re$i&ion!. Such an aiu%e a$!o !#ac-! ofhe ino$erance of Hin%ui!#.

;a,#ohan 2an%hi o)!erve! in hi! )oo-Revenge and Re)on)iliation ha reven&e an%

reconci$iaion i! a &ran% !*ee" of In%ian hi!or'. I! fun%a#ena$ "re#i!e i! ha In%ia3!"a!( far fro# )ein& o$eran an% "acific( !u&&e!! a hi!or' an% coninuin& cu$ure of!e$in& !core!679. Arvin% Shar#a o)!erve! ha( Hin%ui!# en%! o )e o$eran of%ocrine! an% "racice! *ihin i !o ha i can )e ca$$e% internal toleran)e. uHin%ui!# en%! o e/ra"o$ae hi! inerna$ o$erance *hen i co#e! in conac *ihoher re$i&ion!67?. Thu!( i i! c$ear ha he #uch aine% noion of Hin%u o$erance i! inrea$i' a #'h67=.

11. The myth of taboo on co0 slaughter in Vedic times

The a)oo on co* !$au&her i! one of he "i$$ar! of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&'. In he "a!(!evera$ fui$e ae#"! have )een #a%e )' "ro"onen! of Hin%uva o "a!! a $a* o )anhe !$au&her of co*! a he naiona$ $eve$. In Au&u! 5776 an ae#" *a! #a%e oinro%uce in "ar$ia#en a )i$$ eni$e% 1


39/49


The heor' ha in Ve%ic i#e! here *a! no co* !$au&her i! hi!orica$$' inaccurae.A$hou&h co* *a! revere% an% reae% a! !acre%( )eef *a! offere% a! foo% o &ue!! an%

"er!on! of hi&h !au!6+6.e!i%e!( in ancien i#e! non4vio$ence ahimsaB *a! cenra$focu! of Jaini!# an% u%%hi!# an% no of oher re$i&iou! !ec!( an% !acrifice of ani#a$!

*a! e!!enia$ o he Ve%ic re$i&ion6+. ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha o %en'( for e/a#"$e(ha on cerain occa!ion! he Ar'an! ae )eef an% %ran- a$coho$ i! o %en' he evi%enceof )oh $ierar' an% archaeo$o&ica$ [email protected]%in& o Kun-u# ;o'( he c$ai# hain,urin& or -i$$in& of co* *a! "rohi)ie% an% he Ve%a! "re!cri)e "uni!h#en forin,urin& or -i$$in& co* )' e/"u$!ion #a' no )e accurae. The Ve%ic e/ *hich )' he%efiniion of he NCE;T e/)oo- inc$u%e! he Ve%a( rah#ana!( Aran'a-a! an%U"ani!ha%!B are no "re!cri"ive. Hence( he' %o no #enion "uni!h#en for vio$aion!of nor#!. Thi! *a! inro%uce% #uch $aer in heshastri)$ieraure. In a%%iion( here are

"$en' of archaeo$o&ica$ evi%ence fro# a nu#)er of !ie!( inc$u%in& Ha!iana"ura( o!u&&e! ha ca$e *ere !$au&here% for #ea in ancien In%ia6+9. .a$-er !a'!: GTheco* i! !"o-en of in heRig.Veda a! aghnya( 1no4!$a'a)$e3( )u hi! "rohi)iion *a!chief$' %irece% a&ain! he -i$$in& of he #i$ch4co*( an% %i% no "rec$u%e he !$au&herof )u$$! an% co*! for a varie' of re$i&iou! an% co##una$ rea!on!6+?.

Con!u#"ion of )eef *a! c$ear$' "reva$en a#on& he Ve%ic Ar'an!. K.N.. See a$!o D.N.Jha3! revie* of he )oo- )'

Dhar#a"a$ an% T.M.Mu-un%an eni$e% The ritish 'rigin of Co( Slaughter in India. Here( Jha

+@=


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12. The myth that proselytisation is alien to !induism

Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! ofen ar&ue ha Hin%ui!# i! he on$' re$i&ion in he *or$% ha%oe! no en&a&e in "ro!e$'i!aion. 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GOur re$i&iou! #i!!ionarie! *horeache% %i!an $an%! in ancien i#e! %i% no force heir re$i&ion on oher "eo"$e655.9( N.N.aner,ee "re!i%en of he!a#e or&ani!aion !ai%: GThe Hin%u In%ia in her &$oriou! %a'! u!e% o !en% her co$oni!!an% #i!!ionarie! o 9@ revi!e% con!iuion of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha *e rea%he fo$$o*in& a#on& i! ai#!( o),ecive! an% ru$e!: GTo e!a)$i!h cu$ura$ conac!( an%cohe!ion *ih he Hin%u! a)roa% an% o inen!if' Hin%u Mi!!ionar' *or- a$$ over he*or$%659. A&ain( in +>99 N.N. aner,ee 8 o *ho# *e have a$rea%' #a%e reference Pe/hore% he Hin%u! !a'in&: Ge #u! rain in !ic hou!an%! of ener&eic an%ine$$i&en 'oun& #en an% *o#en an% !en% he# a$$ over he *or$% a! ra%er!( eacher!(echno$o&i!!( ouri!! ec. *ho !hou$% )e our 1e/"er!3 on forei&n counrie! 65? Genee% Hin%u #i!!ionarie!( o *or- in he!e area! A!!a#( NEFA( ihar( Ma%h'a.65N.C.CHATTE;JEE(Presidential Address+>@5B( [email protected];JEE(Presidential Address+>9B( =.659Hindu ,ahasa&ha Constitution+>9@B( ar ( !ecion +6. .65?N.N.ANE;JEE( The 4olden 2u&ilee Session+>99B( 66.65=N.N.ANE;JEE( The 4olden 2u&ilee Session+>99B( 6?46=.

+@>


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42/49


he u%%hi!! of ancien In%ia &o Ho* %i% Hin%u icon! an% #'h! !"i$$ over ino $ar&e"ar! of Souh Ea! A!ia66?.

En&a&e#en in %irec conver!ion aciviie! i! a$!o "ar of he a&en%a of Hin%ui!#. Infac hi!or' i! re"$ee *ih #an' !uch in!ance!. In ancien i#e!( here *a! #uch

#o)i$i' of he In%ian! a! ra%er!( #erchan! an% co$onia$i!!( an% ofen he' *ereacco#"anie% )' #i!!ionarie! of rah#anic re$i&ion. Thu!( he rah#anica$ re$i&ion*en fro# In%ia o Ma$a'


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Hin%u dharma6@. D.Fra*$e' affir#! ha Hin%u! !hou$% creae e%ucaiona$ #ove#en!a$$ over he *or$% "ro#oin& Yo&a( Ve%ana( A'urve%a( J'oi!h( San!-ri( In%ian #u!ic(an% a$$ a!"ec! of he cu$ure of Hin%ui!#69. Hin%uva or&ani!aion! $i-e he ;SS( VH.To%a'( "erha"! he Inernaiona$ Socie' for Kri!hna Con!ciou!ne!! I.S.K.CONB i! he

)e! !'#)o$ of Hin%ui!# en&a&e% in "ro!e$'i!aion in he e!. The I.S.K.CON i! ana&&re!!ive$' "ro!e$'i!in& Hin%u or&ani!aion an% i! ver' #uch acive in he USA(Euro"e an% oher coninen!. For e/a#"$e( he I.S.K.CON reache% Ia$' in +>?6 an% iha! cenre! in !uch ciie! a!( A!i( ari( er&a#o( o$o&na( F$orence( Mi$an( Na"$e!(


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ec. The' re&u$ar$' ho$% !'#"o!iu#!( !e#inar!( roun% a)$e conference!( ran!$aion!an% "u)$icaion of heir $ieraure( !ocia$ an% hu#aniarian aciviie! an% e%ucaion. In!o#e counrie! he' have ie4u"! *ih he &overn#en or&ani!aion! $i-e he hea$h#ini!r' an% he #ini!r' for "u)$ic in!rucion6@+.

The Se$f ;ea$i!aion Fe$$o*!hi" S;FB foun%e% in Ca$ifornia in +>57 i! no* "re!enin = counie! of he *or$%. In Ia$' i!e$f i ha! !o#e +7(777 re&i!ere% #e#)er! an% irun! 5> #e%iaion cenre!. I! fa#ou! cenre! in Ia$' are foun% in 2enova( Mi$an(>9. Curren$' i i! en&a&e% in a varie' of aciviie!( !uch a!( eachin& ofYo&a( A'urve%a( or&ani!aion of conference!( con&re!!e!( !e#inar!( %e)ae!(

"u)$icaion!( ec. on Hin%u re$i&ion an% In%ian cu$ure6@6. The Sai a)a #ove#en ha!!o#e 97 cenre! in Ia$' a$one *ih hou!an%! of acive #e#)er!6@.

Durin& he 2$o)a$ Dhar#a Conference he$% in Ne* Jer!e'( USA( in Ju$' 5776( Mur$iManohar Jo!hi( he for#er Union Hu#an ;e!ource Deve$o"#en H;DB Mini!er o$%he In%ian A#erican! o ui$i!e heir heria&e fro# he Ea! an% resour)es from the *esto !ho* a ne* "ah o he *or$%6@@ha Jo!hi acua$$' inen%e% )' hi! !ae#en i!ever')o%'3! &ue!!. Then here are Yo&a an% Tran!cen%ena$ Me%iaion cenre!( he;a#a-ri!hna Move#en( co##uniie! of ra#a-u#ari!( Auro)in%o cenre!( ;a,ne!hA!hra#!( an% he $i-e *hich a$!o carr' ou "ro!e$'i!aion in !u)$e *a'!. In !hor(o%a' he Hin%u #i!!ionarie! are "racica$$' a$$ over he *or$%( an% heir "re!ence i!e!"ecia$$' noice% in Norh A#erica an% Euro"e6@9 Ku!h*an Sin&h re#ar-!: GHin%u!avan! $i-e S*a#i Vive-anan%a( Sri Auro)in%o( Ji%%u Kri!hna#uri( S*a#iation 7ello(shi"%i Yo&anan%a( 5+@(5+?45+=.6@6See S.H.2I;I( GUnione In%ui!a Ia$iana( 56?456=.6@See I.;OSATI 8 S.SO;CE 8 ;.SATO;I( GI$ Movi#eno %i Sai a)a( +6?.6@@See S.CHA;I( GIn%ian A#erican!( +74++.6@9For a )rief accoun of he aciviie! of !o#e of he Hin%u gurusan% or&ani!aion! in Norh A#erica

!ee T.A.TEED 8 S.7(

See a$!o V.MAN2AADI( The *orld of 4urus+>>>B.6@?See K.SIN2H( The End of India( +@.

+96


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There i! a !ron& en%enc' in Hin%uva o a""ro"riae he enire cu$ura$ "a! of In%iafor i!e$f an% o %ec$are i a! Hin%u. The e$ecronic #e%ia( "a#"h$e!( ,ourna$i!ic*riin&! an% "u)$ic %i!cour!e! are u!e% o %i!!e#inae hi! i%ea. Thu!( c$ai#! are #a%eha In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion *a! Ar'an herefore Hin%uB( #e%ieva$ #onu#en! $i-e

he Ta, Maha$( ua) Minar an% ;e% For are Hin%u )ui$%in&!6@=. Savar-ar( *ih heinenion of "ro"a&ain& hi! conce" of In%ia a! a Hin%u naion ar&ue% ha In%iancu$ure i! Hin%u cu$ure fro# i#e i##e#oria$6@>. 2o$*a$-ar *a! a$!o never ire% of!ain& ha In%ia i! one counr'( one "eo"$e( an% one naion697P o)viou!$' Hin%u69+.For hi#( an In%ian *ho i! no a Hin%u i! eiher a &ue! or an inva%er. For 2o$*a$-ar heJe*! an% he


46/49


Ho*ever( i #u! )e re#e#)ere% ha *hen e/a&&erae% e#"ha!i! i! &iven oSan!-ri( i ne&$ec! in he "roce!! oher c$a!!ica$ $an&ua&e! of In%ia *hich have a$!o#a%e !i&nifican conri)uion o In%ian cu$ure. Ta#i$ for e/a#"$e( i! one of he #o!ancien $an&ua&e! of In%ia an% he #o! cu$ivae% of he Dravi%ian $an&ua&e! *ih rich

an% varie% voca)u$ar' an% a refine% #e%iu# of co##unicaion *ih e/raor%inar'!u)$e'( "reci!ion an% !en!e of $o&ic69>. K.M.


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14. The !indutva myths and the Indian masses

M'h! )' heir ver' naure have an innae "o*er o a""ea$ o he e#oion! of "eo"$e.The "ro"onen! of Hin%uva *ho have a !u%ie% -no*$e%&e of he "!'cho$o&' of heIn%ian #a!!e! have "ro"oun%e% he #'h! in or%er ha he' #i&h i&nie heiri#a&inaion( !en!e of "ri%e an% i%ea$i!#. Thu!( #'h! are u!e% !'!e#aica$$' in or%ero in%ocrinae he #a!!e! hrou&h heir *i%e %iffu!ion u!in& heir 1"ro"a&an%a#achine!3. Man' Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! have a%o"e% he NaLi conce" of 1"ro"a&an%a3in or%er o in%ocrinae he #a!!e!. The Hin%uva 1"ro"a&an%a #achine!3 inc$u%e i!va! ne*or- of "rin #e%ia( e$ecronic #e%ia ra%io( e$evi!ion( inerneB(%e#on!raion! an% "roce!!ion! "aricu$ar$' #anife!e% in he for# ofRath Yatras( #a!!ra$$ie!( !affroni!e% !'$$a)i in he e%ucaiona$ in!iuion!( cour!e! an% !e#inar! for !e$ec&rou"! of "eo"$e( or&ani!aion! for 'ouh( *o#en( *or-in& c$a!!( ine$$ecua$!( ec. In

fac( here i! a "ro$iferaion of Hin%uva #'h! in he "rin an% he e$ecronic #e%ia( inhe !choo$ e/)oo-! an% he curricu$a for hi&her e%ucaion. In a%%iion( he "u)$ic%i!cour!e! of Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! re$en$e!!$' re"ea an% convincin&$' narrae he#'h! uni$ he #a!!e! en% o )e$ieve he# a! fac!. Con!e0uen$'( $ar&e !ecion! of heIn%ian "o"u$aion P *hich are unforunae$' !ee"e% in i$$ierac' P 1%evour3 he!e#'h! *ih a re$i&iou! fervour( una)$e a! he' are o !u)#i he# o a %i!"a!!ionae!cruin' an% !cienific inve!i&aion. Therefore( he #'h! of Hin%uva are !o %e!i&ne%ha he' have he &reae! a""ea$ *here he #a!!e! are #o! i$$ierae.

Inere!in&$'( Hin%uva ha! achieve% &reae! !ucce!! in ho!e re&ion! of In%ia *herehe rae of i$$ierac' i! hi&h 8 an% ever'one -no*! ha i$$ierac' #a-e! "eo"$e ea!i$'

vu$nera)$e o #ani"u$aion )' oher!. In fac( Hin%uva *ie$%! &reae! !*a' over he"eo"$e of Norh In%ia *here he %e#o&ra"h' of i$$ierac' i! he hi&he! in he counr'.The $ae! !ai!ic! !ho* ha In%ia ha! 675.@ #i$$ion i$$ierae "eo"$e *hich i! ha$f ofhe *or$%3! i$$ierae!6?9. In Sae! !uch a! ihar( Chai!&arh( 2u,ara( Jhar-han%(Ma%h'a


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*here he Hin%u re$i&ion funcion! $i-e he 1o"iu#3 of he #a!!e!( he conen! of he#'h! have he !au! of 1revea$e%3 ruh!. On he conrar'( he #'h! have he $ea!acce"ance a#on& ho!e cae&orie! of "eo"$e *ho have a raiona$ an% !cienific ou$oo-o $ife. Thi! a$!o i#"$ie! ha( ri&h rea!on( !cienific !"iri an% Hin%uva can rare$' &o

o&eher. Thu! Hin%uva i! %e!ine% o )e a "o*erfu$ "arner in "er"euain& i$$ierac'(i&norance( !u"er!iion( !eni#ena$i!#( irraiona$i' an% un"ro&re!!ive hin-in&. Hencea! $on& a! a &oo% "er cen of he In%ian #a!!e! coninue o )e i$$ierae( i&noran an%une%ucae%( Hin%uva *i$$ a$!o coninue o #ainain i! conro$ over he #a!!e!( an% i!#'h! *i$$ have #an' a-er!.

onclusion

e have !een ho* Hin%uva ha! invene% #an' #'h! an% *ih *ha %i$i&ence he'

are "ro"a&ae% in or%er o in%ocrinae he In%ian #a!!e! *ih fa$!e noion! an% uo"ia!.a!ica$$' he' are %e!i&ne% o #a-e he Hin%uva i%eo$o&' "erco$ae o he #a!!e! )'a""ea$in& o heir e#oion!. The for#! of he #'h! ha are circu$ae%( he #e!!a&e!he' conve'( he i%ea$! he' "ro,ec an% he increa!in& nu#)er of "eo"$e *houncriica$$' acce" he# a! ruh( revea$ ha #an' "er!on! in In%ia are a$rea%'1convere%3 o Hin%uva )oh ine$$ecua$$' an% !"iriua$$'. u he rea$i!aion ha he#'h! of he Hin%uva are fa)ricaion! inen%e% o )rain*a!h he #a!!e!( e!"ecia$$' hei&noran an% he i$$ierae for he "o$iica$ a%vana&e of he u""er ca!e Hin%u e$ie(*ou$% a!!ure ha *e have *on ha$f he )a$e a&ain! he %u)iou! i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva.

M'h! are he foun%aion on *hich Hin%uva re!!. Throu&h nu#erou! #'h! i ha!

re!urrece% #an' o)!o$ee !'#)o$! an% )e$ief! of Hin%ui!# in or%er o )ure!! hei%eo$o&'( !uch a!( )e$ief in an i#a&inar' Ve%ic 2o$%en a&e( a "ure Ar'an race( Ar'ancu$ure a! he founainhea% of a$$ civi$i!aion!( Hin%ui!# a! he eerna$ re$i&ion( San!-ria! he #oher of a$$ on&ue!( In%ia a! a Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$( In%iancu$ure a! #ono$ihic Hin%u cu$ure. an% !o on. Unforunae$'( he &overn#en! *ih!ron& Hin%uva !'#"ahie! &ive o hi! )ac-*ar%4$oo-in& i%eo$o&' "o$iica$ an%financia$ !u""or. u a! *e have a$rea%' !een( he &ran%io!e c$ai#! of he #'h! have$i$e foun%aion in hi!or'.

The #'h! of Hin%uva have he "o*er o !i#u$ae "a!!ion!( %iffu!e hare% an%a*a-en he vi$$ain %or#an a#on& cerain !ecion! of In%ian!. Hin%uva3! u$i#ae ai#i! he creaion of a Hin%u naion )a!e% on a #ono$ihic Hin%u cu$ure( an% he#eho%o$o&' for achievin& hi! en% i! !u##e% u" )' .K. A%vani *ho 0uoe! *ih arare -no*$e%&e of A%o$f Hi$er an% hi! NaLi i%eo$o&'( *hen he !ai%: GSucce!! i! he !o$eearh$' ,u%&e of ri&h an% *ron&36??.

ih he !"rea% of he #'h! of Hin%uva( #an' ruh! concernin& In%ian hi!or' an%cu$ure have a$!o )een %i!ore% or era!e%. u *ha In%ia nee%! o%a' i! an en$i&hene%

"u)$ic ha can %i!in&ui!h )e*een #'h an% rea$i'( fac an% ficion( ruh an%fa$!ehoo%( Hin%u re$i&ion an% Hin%uva. A! $on& a! In%ian! coninue o )e$ieve in he#'h! of Hin%uva he naion *i$$ never ri!e o he hei&h! )ecau!e he )ac-*ar%4$oo-in& i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva ha! nohin& in i ha can a-e In%ia for*ar%. On he oher

6??.K.ADVANI(A Prisoner%s S)ra".ook( 99.

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49/49


han%( if he "eo"$e of In%ia are $i)erae% fro# he narro*4#in%e%( co##una$i!(naiona$i!( #i$ian an% fun%a#ena$i! i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva( In%ia ha! ever' chance of

"ro&re!!. Hence( *ha In%ia nee%! o%a' i! "er!on! *ih raiona$ an% criica$ #in% an%!cienific e#"er *ho have he coura&e o e/"$o%e he #'h! of Hin%uva an% e/"o!e

he fa$!ehoo% he' "ro"a&ae. Are here "er!on! *ih a vi!ion for a !ecu$ar( "$ura$i!icIn%ia *ho "o!!e!! !uch ca$i)re an% coura&e Uni$ !uch "eo"$e co#e o he fore(Hin%uva *i$$ coninue o fa)ricae #ore #'h! an% ui$i!e he# o en!$ave an%in%ocrinae he i$$ierae( he cre%u$ou! an% he nave( uni$ a ne* for# of !$aver' i!fu$$' e!a)$i!he% in In%ia( na#e$'slavery to Hindutva.

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