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.

Thulasi Sthuthi (Tamil)

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

Translated By P.R.Ramachander

Tulsi or the holy Basil (Ocimum_tenuiflorum/Ocimum sanctum in Latin) is a holy plant. She is considered to be the consort of Vishnu.

Tulsiyamma. Thiruve, kalyaniamma,
Velli kizhamai thannil vilangukindra mathave,
Chevvai kizhamai chezhikka vanda chendiruve,
Thayare undan thal inayil naan paninden., 1

Oh mother Tulsi, Oh Goddess Lakshmi, Oh mother who does good,
Oh mother who shines brightly on Fridays,
Oh goddess Lakshmi who has come to make Tuesdays better,
Oh mother, I am bowing my head at your feet.

Pachai pasumayulla Tulsi namasthe,
Parimalikkum moola kozhunde namasthe,
Arpa pirappai thavirppay, namasthe,
Ashta aisvaryam alippay namasthe., 2

Salutations to Tulsi who looks exuberant in green colour,
Salutations to the original leaf which gives out scent,
Please avoid debased future lives for me, Salutations,
Please grant me eight types of wealth, salutations.

Hariyudaya devi azhagi, namasthe,
Adaintharkku inbam alippay, namasthe,
Vana malai yenum maruve, namasthe.
Vaikunda vasiyudan magizhvay, namasthe., 3

Oh pretty one who is wife of Lord Vishnu, salutations,
Please give happiness to those who reach you, salutations,
Oh plant, who is called the forest garland, salutations,
Please be happy with lord who lives in Vaikunta, salutations.

Anbudane nalla arum Tulsi kondu vandu,
Mannil mel nattu magizhndu, neeruthi,
Muthathil thaan valarthu, muthu pol, kolamittu,
Chengavi chuthum ittu, thiruvilakkum yethi vaithu,., 4

Pazhangaludan thengayum, thambulam thattil vaithu,
Pushapangalai chorindu, poojitha pergalukku,
Yenna payan yendru, hrishikesan thaan ketka,
Mangalamana Tulsi magizhndu uraippal., 5

When Lord Vishnu asked, what will result to those,
Who bring the good sacred Tulsi plant,
Plant it in soil happily, pour water to it,
Grow it in one’s courtyard, decorate with pearl like Rangoli,
Decorate it further on all sides by red soil, light a lamp,
Place before it in a plate plantains, coconut and betel leaf,
And offer lots of flowers, the holy Tulsi happily replied.

Mangalami yennai vaithu magizhndu upasithavargal,
Thee vinyai pokki, chiranda palan naan alippen,
Arum piniyai neeki, ashta aiswaryam naan alippen,
Daridrathai neeki chelvathai naan koduppen,., 6

Puthran illavathavarku puthira bhagayamalippen,
Kannigaikal poojai cheydhal, nalla kanavarai kootuvippen,
Grahasthargal poojai cheydhal keerthiyudan vazha vaippen,
Mumukshukkal poojai cheydhal moksha padam koduppen., 7

For those who serve and pray me with happiness and holiness,
I would remove their bad fate and bless them with good results,
I would remove their illness and bless them with eight types of wealth,
I would remove their poverty and give them wealth,
For those who do not have sons, I would bless them with sons,
If maids worship me, I would bless them with good husbands,
If family people worship me, I would make them live with great fame,
If those who have forsaken the world worship me, I would bless them with salvation,

Kodi karaam pasuvai kandrudane kondu vanthu,
Kombukku pon amaithu, kulambukku velli ketti,
Gangai karai thanile, Grahana punya kalathil,
Val uruvi anthanarkku maha danam cheydha palan,., 8
Nan alippen sathiyam yendru nayagiyum chollalume,
Appadiyeyakavendru Thirumal arikkai ittar,
Ippadiye anbudane yethi thozhuthavargal,
Arpudamai vazhnthiduvar para devi than arulal., 9

When the Goddess told that she will give same effect as,
Giving away to Brahmins in the shores of Ganges river,
During the eclipse, one billion cows under lactation,
Along with its calf, tying the horns of each with gold plate,
And tying each of their hooves with silver plate,
Then Lord Vishnu said “let it happen like that,”,
And so those who worship the goddess this way,
Would lead a wonderful life, by her grace.