Colonial Discourse and the Suffering of Indian American Children Book Cover.webp

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


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

Kamala Pathyashtakam

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

The Octet on consort of Lakshmi
Translated by P.R.Ramachander

Goddess Lakshmi sits on a red lotus flower and is called Kamala, which also means, Lotus flower.

Bujathalpa gatham,Ghana sundaram,
Garuda vahanam ambuja lochanam,
Nalina chakra gatha Kara mavyayam,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 1

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
Who sleeps on the bed of snake,
Who is very pretty with colour of cloud,
Who rides on Garuda,
Who has lotus like eyes,
And who carries in his hand lotus,
Holy wheel and mace.

Ali kulasitha komala kunthalam,
Vimala peetha dukoola manoharam,
Jalajasritha vama kalebharam,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 2

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
Who has pretty hair like a bevy of bees,
Who is pretty with the clear yellow silk he wears,
And who has on his left side the Goddess Lakshmi.

Kimu japaischa thapobhi ruthadhwarair,
Api kimuthamatheertha nishevanai,
Kimutha sasthra kadambha vilokanair,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 3

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
For what is got by chanting and meditation?
What is got by bath in sacred rivers?
And what is got by learning groups of science?

Manuja deha mimam bhuve durlabham,
Samadhigamya surairapi vanchitham,
Vishayalampata tham apahaya vai,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 4

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
For what is the use of desiring mundane things,
When you have got a man’s body,
Which is difficult to obtain,
Even for Gods with an aid of meditation?

Na vanitha na sutho na sahodharo,
Na hi pitha, janani cha bhandhawa,
Vrajathi saakamanena janena vai.
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 5

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
For neither wife, nor sons nor brothers,
Neither father nor mother nor relations,
Are going to come with us at the end?

Sakalameva chalam sa characharam,
Jagaditham sutharam nava youvanam,
Samavalokya viveka drusa drutham,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 6

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
For all things which move and not move are transient,
In the world, so are sons, riches and youth,
If you understand this, by your intelligence

Vividha rogayutham kshana bhanguram,
Paravasam nava marga malakulam,
Pari nireekshya sareeramidham swakam,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 7

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
For if you examine your own body,
It is subject to diseases and transient,
Capable of dying with its nine openings.

Muni varairanisam hrudhi bhavitham,
Shiva virincha mahendranutham sada,
Marana janma jara bhaya mochanam,
Bhajata re manuja Kamalapathim., 8

Hey man, pray the consort of Lakshmi,
For he is always meditated upon by sages,
Saluted always by Shiva, Brahma and Indra,
And removes fear of death, birth and aging.

Hari padashtakam ethadanuthamam,
Paramahamsa janena sameeritham,
Padathi yasthu samahitha chethasa,
Vrajathi Vishnu padam sa naro druvam., 9

This great prayer of the Lord Hari,
As told by great wise sages,
If read with attention and devotion,
Will take quickly one to the feet of Lord Vishnu.