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.

Ābhicārika-murti

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Ābhicārika-murti is literally translated as ‘image or manifestation pertaining to abhicāra’.

Certain categories of the images of Viṣṇu whose installation and consecration help in rites for the destruction of enemies, are classed under the ābhicārika type. These images, whether in the standing, sitting or lying posture, are bereft of beauty or symmetry. Emaciated body, dark complexion, dark clothes and a shrunken countenance with the eyes turned upwards characterize such murti-s. They are, as a rule, established in the outermost periphery of the village or town, known as the 'paisācapada', in inaccessible places like mountain tops or thick jungles. Prān prathiśtha (installation) is done during inauspicious moments and worship is conducted through mantras.

References[edit]

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