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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.


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Talk:Airāvata

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Airāvata literally means ‘born out of water or ocean’.

Airavata

Airāvata, The Mount of Indra[edit]

When the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) started churning the kṣīra-samudra[1] for getting amṛta,[2] several divine and mysterious objects emerged out of it. The majestic Airāvata,[3] the four-tusked white elephant, was the one. Indra, the chief of the devas chose it as his mount.

Airāvata, Son of Bhadramanasa[edit]

According to another version, Airāvata was the offspring of the elephant Bhadramanasa which Indra claimed as his mount. Indra, who is also the presiding god of the rain, pours rain while sitting on this elephant. Indra threw the sacred garland given by the sage Durvāsas on this elephant out of arrogance and pride. The airāvata in turn threw it under its feet and trampled it thus enraging the irascible sage who cursed Indra to lose his sovereignty.

Airāvata, Support of Earth[edit]

Airāvata is also the name of the elephant supporting the earth on its eastern quarter. It is one of the eight elephants known as aṣṭadig-gajas. It is believed to be supporting the quarters. It is sometimes described as the king of elephants and a prototype of all the elephants.[4]

Airāvata , Serpent King[edit]

‘Airāvata’ is also the name of a serpent king who is said to have protected Aśvasena, the son of Takṣaka.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Kṣīra-samudra means milk-ocean.
  2. ↑ Amṛta means ambrosia.
  3. ↑ Airāvata is also called Airāvaṇa.
  4. ↑ Viṣṇupurāna 1.22
  5. ↑ He is the another serpent king.
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore
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