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In this book, we analyze the psycho-social consequences faced by Indian American children after exposure to the school textbook discourse on Hinduism and ancient India. We demonstrate that there is an intimate connection—an almost exact correspondence—between James Mill’s colonial-racist discourse (Mill was the head of the British East India Company) and the current school textbook discourse. This racist discourse, camouflaged under the cover of political correctness, produces the same psychological impacts on Indian American children that racism typically causes: shame, inferiority, embarrassment, identity confusion, assimilation, and a phenomenon akin to racelessness, where children dissociate from the traditions and culture of their ancestors.


This book is the result of four years of rigorous research and academic peer-review, reflecting our ongoing commitment at Hindupedia to challenge the representation of Hindu Dharma within academia.

Abhyudāyika-śrāddha

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Abhyudāyika-śrāddha literally means ‘śrāddha for the sake of abhyudaya’.

It is believed that these forefathers (pitṝs) continue to exist in a subtle body at a different plane (pitṝloka) and when propitiated through appropriate rites can bestow on their descendants worldly prosperity and even spiritual benefits.

The propitiating rite is called śrāddha, since it is offered with śraddhā (faith). Of the several śrāddhas, ābhyudayika-śrāddha is particularly connected with abhyudaya (worldly well-being). It is performed on the auspicious occasions like

  • The birth of children
  • Marriage of their children
  • Commencement of a charitable act such as the dedication of a well or tank or park to the public.

Unlike the other śrāddhas which are solemn, this śrāddha is a joyous occasion. Hence certain changes have been effected in its performance. For instance:

  • It is done in the morning and not in the afternoon.
  • The yajñopavīta (sacred cord) is worn in the usual way and not from right to left.
  • The mantra ‘svadhā,’ which is a must in other śrāddhas is not used.
  • Yava grains (barley) are used as the obligatory material instead of sesamum.

This śrāddha is sometimes identified with Nāndiśrāddha or Vṛddhiśrāddha.

References[edit]

  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

Contributors to this article

Krishna Maheshwari, Deval Sancheti

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