| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Dr. Jai Maharaj" |
| Date: |
11 Apr 2005 09:09:44 AM |
| Object: |
HINDUISM FOR WESTERNERS |
Hinduism For Westerners
The Universal Tradition
By David Frawley
Dr. David Frawley, the eminent teacher and practitioner
of Ayurvedic medicine and Vedic astrology, says:
"Hinduism is not a belief system seeking converts." He
explains, "It is not striving to narrow down our sense of
who we are or what we can do. It is a set of spiritual
resources, carefully gathered since the most ancient
times, which is available, like a wonderful set of tools,
to help us build our own inner life...
"If we regard Hinduism as merely another religion, then
it is not of much value, and we should discard it like
the rest. But if we understand Hinduism as a universal
tradition, which shows how spirituality can be integrated
into the whole of life, then it can be of great value for
reformulating a global spiritual culture today..."
Are All Religions One?
Dr Frawley puts forward the analogy that if all religions
are one, like all water is one, it doesn't mean that all
water is the same or that all water is fit to drink.
Connecting With Truth
"...All ways of connecting with Truth - whether
formulated as religions or not - are like various rivers
that flow to the ocean of Truth. They all have a common
goal, though not each singly can reach it." But, says
Frawley: "Sanatana Dharma is not meant as another one of
these streams but as an attempt to portray the reality of
the ocean, which accepts all streams without being
limited to any of them.
"For this reason all the spiritual practices that can be
found in other religions - like prayer, ritual, mantra
and meditation whether devotional or knowledge-oriented -
exist within the greater Hindu tradition."
Societal Problems
Many people reject the spiritual side of the tradition
because of extraneous societal problems. This shows, says
Frawley, that "one is still attached to the outer world
and does not understand the inner truth of the
teachings."
In search of Bob's bamboozling questions on Hinduism, I
stumbled upon a book entitled The Eternal Tradition -
Sanatana Dharma by Dr David Frawley. The author, who is
also known as Vamadeva Shastri, is one of the few
Westerners ever recognized in India as a "Vedacharya" or
teacher of the ancient Vedic wisdom. In this book, he
addresses certain basic questions that people in the West
are accosted by while interfacing with Eastern religions,
particularly Hinduism. Eastern Religions & the West
Some people in the West believe that Eastern religions
have no place in the West. According to Frawley, such
people do not understand that "Eastern dharmic traditions
are not religious belief systems, but universal ways of
spiritual knowledge." Then, he goes on to question, "Why
should it be a problem for us if anyone finds spiritual
benefit from a teaching that arises outside of their
given cultural context?"
Geography & Religion
"True religion, whether it predominates in the Eastern or
Western parts of the world, is not a matter of
geography," says Frawley. "All the religions of the world
are followed in areas far beyond the geographical locale
of their origin. Religion speaks of the ultimate issues
of life and death and should orient us to the Eternal and
the Universal. In this respect, Hinduism with its
universal view has greater relevance for all human beings
than any belief system, which divides humanity into
believers and non-believers."
The Religion of the Earth
Frawley considers Hinduism to be a religion of the Earth,
because, as he describes beautifully, "...it honors the
Earth as the Divine Mother and encourages us to honor her
and help her develop her creative potentials. The deities
of Hinduism permeate the world of nature...they don't
belong to a single country or book only. It is not
necessary to live in India to be a Hindu. In fact, one
must live in harmony with the land where one is located
to be a true Hindu. "I see Hinduism as a religion
eminently suited for all lands and for all people because
it requires that we connect with the land and its
creatures - that we align our individual self with the
soul of all beings around us. Hinduism finds holy places
everywhere, wherever there is a river, a mountain, a
large rock, or big tree, wherever some unusual natural
phenomenon be it a spring, a cave, or a geyser."
What Attracts Westerners to Hinduism?
The fact that Hinduism is not like religions such as
people in the West have been accustomed to, and that it
offers spiritual practices outside of organized belief
systems, is what attracts Westerners, who may like to
adopt Yoga and Ayurveda, without having the need to
become Hindus.
Stephen P. Huyler's Book
"In the spring of last year, I bought a marvellous book -
large, beautifully illustrated with photographs: Meeting
God: Elements of Spiritual Devotion, written by Stephen
P. Huyler, who is an art historian and a cultural
anthropologist. He has lived in India for many years and
is a great admirer of Hinduism with a real love and
understanding of its devotional practices as they relate
to various aspects and stages of the lives of Indians.
"Out of Place"
"After reading the book and gazing at the photographs, I
really seemed to be able to understand how powerful and
real Hindu devotions are to the people of India. Having
said that, I, as a Westerner, still feel rather "strange"
or out of place when trying to make Indian devotions
mine...
Fundamental Questions
"Is Indian religion, Hinduism, difficult for Westerners
to enter into and make theirs? Are there ways we
Westerners could get over our feelings of being
outsiders?"
- Yours Bob H. S.
A Complete Approach To Life
Is Bob's predicament common to Westerners in general?
There are 750 million Hindus in the world. And it's
believed that you're either born a Hindu or you are not.
The BBC Guide to Religions of the World points out: "Like
other Eastern religions, it doesn't fit comfortably into
the same box as Western religions like Christianity.
Hindus do not separate religion from other aspects of
life. For Hindus in India, Hinduism is an inextricable
part of their existence, a complete approach to life that
involves social class, earning a living, family,
politics, diet, etc., in addition to the things
Westerners view as religious." Thus, it's natural that a
non-Indian will feel like an alien in the Hindu world.
The Magnetism of Hinduism!
A couple of months ago, I received an email from one Bob
H. S. The subject line called out — "Problem!", and I
opened it immediately. Bob's problem related to the
difficulty in feeling like an unwelcome outsider to the
Hindu world, despite trying hard to come into the folds
of Hinduism. His letter moved me so much that I want to
pass on the rest of it to you:
"Since 1975, I have been interested in Eastern
religions...I have explored to some extent the Hindu
Tradition ("Sanatana Dharma") by reading, especially the
Bhagavad Gita...
The "Marvellous" Gita
"I remember (I am now 69), quite a few years ago, around
Christmas, while I was sitting in the living room, my
eyes fell on a paperback copy of The Gita, translated
with commentary by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher
Isherwood. I realized that I had not read this
universally honoured scripture, and that I "should". So,
out of a sense of duty, I began to read. It was not long,
but the text had seized my attention, so I could hardly
stop reading...Eventually, I began to list my favorite
slokas...
Seeking A "Powerful" Religion
"I did spend some time exploring Hinduism by meeting,
from time to time, a spiritual teacher of Yoga and
Vedanta in New Mexico, USA. My motivations for this study
were several:
"I was seeking a religion, which believed in "other
powers" perhaps more than Buddhism did. Or that believes
in a higher power, which is the source of life, wisdom,
grace...
"The Vedantic doctrine of Brahman being the only absolute
reality and the "world" as we know it, "maya", or
relative reality, if not illusion, struck a responsive
chord in me. "The fact that Hinduism seems to have a path
for everyone in the four Yogas... The bhajans and chants
appealed to me with their focus and feeling.
"Finally, The Gita, itself, was a great attraction..."
http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa042601a.htm
http://search.about.com/fullsearch.htm?terms=Hinduism
End of forwarded message
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy
http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
The terrorist mission of Jesus stated in the Christian bible:
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not so send
peace, but a sword.
"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in
law.
"And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
- Matthew 10:34-36.
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| User: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Le_G=E9ant?=" |
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| Title: Re: HINDUISM FOR WESTERNERS |
11 Apr 2005 10:34:22 AM |
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..
RaceandHistory.com
Apartheid Varna System
This part gives an in-depth account of the oppression in the
apartheid caste system, and the restrictions placed on the subjugated
races with full quotations and references to the `sacred' scriptures
that sanction these. The varna caste system is decidedly racial in
origin [ Greg ], whilst the jati profession-based caste system is not.
Apartheid Varna System and Other Caste Systems
The varna system of India during the Brahmanic Ages (1500 BC - 1000
AD) is to be distinguished from caste systems in other parts of the
world. The Brahmanic varna system (`varnashramadharma') is basically a
genocidal apartheid system designed to exterminate the `black varna'.
Caste systems in other parts of the world (eg. US South, Brazil, Islamic
millet systems in the Ottoman Empire and the Delhi Caliphate etc.) were
by contrast far milder, permitting the co-existence of different races
and discouraging miscegenation without extermination in mind. The word
caste is of Portuguese origin, and refers to this co-existence and
preservation of different identities for races, not necessarily with a
loose hierarchy. It is thus not correct to apply the word `caste' to the
Hindu varna system, since it gives a false impression of a milder
institution.
Sudroids Seen as Animals
The Sudroid blacks are repeatedly referred to as `animals', & never
treated as humans in the Hindu scriptures.
" Having killed a cat, an ichneumon, a blue jay, a frog, a dog,
an iguana, an owl, or a corw, he shall perform the penance for the
murder of a Sudra."
-- [ Manu IX.132 ]
" 'You may breed cows and dogs in your house,' wrote Mr. M.C.
Raja. 'You may drink the urine of cows and swallow cowdung to expiate
your sins, but you shall not approach an Adi Dravida"
-- [ Inf ]
" The murder of a Sudra by a Brahman is equal only to killing a
cat or a frog or a cow "
[ Stat ] [ Wilk.248 ].
Whereas Brahmans are classed with gods, Sudras are classed with
animals:
" Elephants, horses, Sudras and contemptiable Mlecchas, lions,
tigers, and boars form the middle dark condition"
-- [ Manu i.43 ] [ Muir I.41 ]
The Sudra Black is also not allowed to participate in any rites of
the Aryan Vaishnavite religion : " A Brahman should never be the guru of
a Sudra. 'While the first part of a Brahman's name should indicate
holiness that of a Kshatriya's power and that of a Vashya's wealth, that
of a Sudra 's should indicate contempt. The Veda is never to be read in
the presence of a Sudra, and for him no sacrifice is to be performed. He
has no business with solemn rites." [ Stat ] [ Wilk.247-8 ].
Later, Vaisyas were degraded to the status of Sudras : " Vish [
Vaisya ] is food for the kshatriya" [ Sat.Br.3.3.2.8; Vedic Cosmology,
Rajiv Verma, New Age International Ltd. New Delhi, 1996, p.110 ]
Enforced Illiteracy
To eonforce their domination over the subjugated races, all these
and especially the negroid Sudras, were forcibly kept in illiteracy.
This maintained the Brahmin state.
Sudra Blacks are not allowed to even read the Vedas, and are
punished by having their tongue cut out if they do so. If they hear the
Vedas, they are to have molten tin poured into their ears. The Vedas are
meant to be read only by Aryans :
" A Sudra has no right even to listen to the Veda. Recitation
of or listening to this sacred book is exclusively a privilege of the
Aryan Hindus. There is provision of severe punishment for a Sudra, in
case he dares to enjoy this privilege. If he "overheard a recitation of
the Vedas, molten lac or tin was to be poured into his mouth; if he
repeated recitation of the Vedas, his tongue should be cut; and if he
remembered Vedic hymns, his body was to be torn into pieces."
-- [ Tirth ]; cited in [ Stat ]
That this rule was actually enforced is proven by the account of
Alberuni, who visited India in the 10th century AD :
" The Vaisya and the Sudra are not allowed to hear it [ the
Veda ], much less to pronounce and recite it. If such a thing can be
proved against one of them, the Brahmans drag him before the magistrate,
and he is punished by having his tongue cut off ."
-- [ al-B.i.125 Ch.XII ]
and again,
" Every act that is considered the privelege of the Brahman,
such as saying prayers, the reciting of the Veda, and offering of
sacfirices to the fire, is forbidden to him, to such a degree that when,
eg. a Sudra or a Vaisya is proved to have recited the Veda, he is
accused by the Brahmans before the ruler, and the latter will order his
tongue to be cut off . However, the meditation on God [ is not
prohibited ]."
-- [ al-B.ii.127 Ch.LXIV ]
Hence, the caste system did not decrease in severity right from the
Aryan invasion in 1500 BC upto the Islamic conquest ca. 1000 AD. That
implies a 2500 year period during which the apartheid caste system was
in operation - longer than anywhere else in the world.
Some scholars have claimed that the laws of Manu were not
necessarily followed in practice. This is merely Brahmanic-Aryan
propaganda, since the account of Alberuni quoted above shows that the
law was enforced in all its severity. In addition, the accounts of
countless Greek and Arab travellers prove that the caste system was
enforced during the medieval period, and the account of European
travellers, especially English ones, proves that it was in force in
South India till the British conquest. Thus, an Aryan Nair would shoot a
Dravidian at sight. However, the Islamic invasion relaxed caste systems
to a great degree, when the liberal Quranic law substituted the harsh
Vedic laws.
For contesting the claims of the pretentious fair-skinned Aryans,
the black Sudra is to have his tongue cut off, hot oil poured in his
ear, or a nail thrust into his mouth :
* " A once-born man (Sudra) who insults a twice-born man
(Aryan) with gross invective, shall have his tongue cut out; for he is
of low origin."
-- [ Manu VIII.270 ]
* " If he mentions the names and castes (Jati) of the
(twice-born) with contumely, an iron nail, 10 fingers long, shall be
thrust red-hot into his mouth ."
-- [ Manu VIII.271 ]
* " If he arrogantly teaches Brahmins their duty, the king
shall cause hot oil to be poured into his mouth and into his ears . "
-- [ Manu VIII.272 ]
And again,
"Rites are declared to be prescribed by the Vedas for the three
(highest) castes... Next the Sudras, produced from extinction, are
destitute of rites. Hence they are not entitled to be admitted to the
purificatory ceremonies, nor does sacred science belong to them. Just as
the cloud of smoke which rises from the fire on the friction of the
fule, and is dissipated, is of no service in the sacrficial rite, so too
the Shudras wandering over the Earth, are altogether (Useless for
purpose of sacrifice) owing to their birth , their mode of life devoid
of purity and their want of observances prescribed in the Veda."
-- [ Muir I. 153 ] [ Hari.11820 ]
" With whatever limb a man of a low caste does hurt to (a man
of the three highest castes) even that limb shall be cut off ; that is
the teaching of Manu.
He who raises his hand or a stick, shall have his hand cut off
; he who in his anger kicks with his foot, shall have his foot cut off ."
-- [ Manu VIII.279-280 ]
" If a low-caste man who tries to place himself on the same
seat with a man of a high caste, shall be branded on his hip and is
banished, or (the king) shall cause his buttock to be gashed."
-- [ Manu VIII.281 ]
" If out of arrogance he [ a Sudra ] spits (on a superior), the
king shall cause both his lips to be cut off; if he urines (on him), the
penis; if he breaks wind (against him), the *****."
-- [ Manu VIII.282 ]
" If ha lays fold of the hair(of a superior), let the king
unhesitatingly cut off his hands , likewise (if he takes him) by the
feet, the breard, the neck or the scrotum."
-- [ Manu VIII.282 ]
After Parasurama annihilated the Kshatry race,
" the Brahmans did not sell their sacred lore, nor recite the
Vedas in the vicinity of Sudras"
-- [ Muir.I.452 ] [ MBh.Adi.2474 ]
Gandhi's Support of Apartheid
Indeed the practice of untouchability continues today with all its
horrors, especially in Aryan Vaishnavite areas [ Pract ]. The great
Gandhi, for all the propaganda surrounding his name, did not abolish
untouchability. Ambedkar, the `Father of the Indian Constitution' and
greatest leader of the Black Untouchables (Dalits and Adivasis), has
written about Gandhi's policy of subjugating the Untouchables,
" Hinduism is a veritable chamber of horrors. The sanctity and
infallibility of the Vedas, Smritis and Shastras, the iron law of caste,
the heartless law of karma and the senseless law of status by birth are
to the Untouchables veritable instruments of torture which Hinduism has
forged against untouchables. These very instruments which have
mutilated; blasted and blighted the lives of the Untouchables are to be
found intact and untarnished in the bosom of Gandhism."
-- [ Ambed ] [ Gandhi_U ] [ Fame ]
Gandhi was a staunch follower of the Brahminist caste system :
" Supporting the caste system he [ Gandhi ] said: "I believe
that caste has saved Hinduism from disintegration." He also said, "To
destroy the caste system and adopt the Western European social system
means that Hindus must give up the principle of hereditary occupation,
which is the soul of the caste system. The hereditary principle is an
eternal principle. To change it is to create disorder." [ Faz, p.68 ]
-- [ Gandhi_U ]
The greatest crime committed by Gandhi against the Black Race was
to deny the Black Untouchables of India separate electorates and
sabotaging the plan to emancipiate Untouchables :
" In the Round Table Conference held in 1932, the then British
Government accepted the demand of the Dalits for separate electorate.
The basis of that demand was the fact that the Dalit are not Hindu but a
separate nation. Gandhi started his 'fast unto death' against that plan
and sabotaged it. It was a thunderous blow to the cause of the
emancipation of the Dalit."
-- [ Gandhi_U ]
Indeed, Gandhi displayed a marked bias against the Black Untouchables :
" In 1933, he established Harijan (Dalit) Sevak Sangh for the
welfare of the Untouchables (Dalits). But when there was a demand for
the representation of the Untouchables on the Governing Board of the
institution, he flatly refused it. He disapproved appointment of Mr.
Agnibhaj, a distinguished personality, as a minister in the Congress
cabinet in the Madhya Pradesh because he was from the Scheduled Caste."
-- [ Gandhi_U ]
He indeed considered the Negroid Dalit to be of an inferior race.
Writing about their supposedly lower level of intelligence, he wrote,
"Majority of Harijans (Dalits) can no more understand the
presentation of Christianity than my cows."
-- [ Gandhi_C, p.58 ] [ cited in Gandhi_U ]
thereby comparing the IQ of Dalits to cows !
Gandhi also never supported the Black Africans during his stay in
Africa. He only stood for the Aryan `Hindus'.
" First, he specifically took up the cause of only Indians in
South Africa, never the blacks who formed the overwhelming majority. In
fact, during the heroic rebellion waged by the Zulus in 1906 (during
which the British carried out unparalleled massacres of the Zulus), he
offered his services to the British as the leader of a stretcher-bearer
company. "
[ FSB.Ch.3 ]
By a supreme fate of irony, it is the Brahmins the Mahatma so
supported that eventually killed him !
Brahmin Supremacism
The Brahman Aryans imposed one of the harshest caste systems of all
times [ Brah_S ] [ Caste ]. Regarding the dominion of the Brahman race
over all others, Swami Dharma Theertha has written,
"Probably no other class of persons in any society ever
combined in themselves all these advantages so exclusively as the
Brahmans. It is equally doubtful if any other aristocratic class has
ever exercised their privileges to the detriment of the common people so
unscrupulously and for so long a period as these Brahman priests." [
Tirth.113 ] He further observes, "No imperial power ever imposed on a
weaker people a more ruthless and soul-destroying domination than the
Brahmans did on the rest of their fellow citizens, and no race of
superior men ever arrogated to themselves such haughty supremacy and
false greatness as they have. " [ Tirth.163-4 ]
-- [ Brah_S ]
The Exterminated & Subjugated Races : Blacks (`Dasyus' & `Sudras'),
Semites (`Panis') and Mongoloids (`Nagas')
This is an in-depth account of the races subjected or exterminated
by the Aryan invaders.
Rakshasas are Dravidians
Aryan literature is replete with references to the hated Rakshasas.
Rakshasa is a term of contempt for Dravidians and other black
aboriginals. Some Aryan apologists have claimed that this term means
`demon' and does not refer to the aboriginals. This is entirely
unfounded, however, because an overwhelming amount of evidence indicates
that it is an abusive term applied to the native black populations of
India (Dravidian, Kolarian, Kshudraka, etc.) :
* Rakshasas have black skin, broad nose, large mouth (ie.
proganthism) and thick lips.
* In Ceylon, the term Rakshasa is applied in Cinghalese
chronicles to the aboriginals. The vernacular applies Rakko or Yakko to
them. This is confirmed by Chinese travellers [ Ann. 111 ].
* The kingdom of the Rakshasas was the southern part of India
south of the Vindhya range as mentioned in the Ramayana. Ravaa's capital
was Lanka on the island of Sri Lanka.
* As a consequnece of Rama's invasion, Lanka is now an
Aryan-speaking country (but racially Dravidian). Moreover, the
Indo-Aryan language Sinhalese is related to Eastern Indo-Aryan languages
such as Oriya, a region whence part of Rama's army originated.
* Rahu is another famous Rakshasa. Another name of his is
Melayaja, a term evidently derived from Malla, the name of a Dravidian
tribe [ Opp.18 ], and whence Malbhum and Malayalam.
* Ravan is a title of distinction with the ancient rulers of
Lanka [ Ban.50 ].
* Ravana is referred to as Rakshasendra [ Ann. 111 ].
Considering this, it is accepted by many that the Ram-Ravan
conflict is between Aryan and Dravidians [ Ban.53 ].
The Asuras are also an aboriginal tribe, since a tribe of the same
name is found in Jharkhand. However, many consider the Asuras to have
been the Assyrians. Thus in Indian tradition people inhabiting the
regions west of Iran are referred to as Asuras [ West.777.n17 ].
The Mongoloids are also mentioned by the Sanskrit poets. In
Sanskrit they are referred to as Yakshas, in Pali as Yakkos & in Chinese
as Yueh-Chih [ 1800,p.45 ]. These yellow races descended from the
Himalayas and occupied much of the Ganges valley. Being natives of
higher regions they considerd themselves to be superior to the
inhabitants of the plains, and assumed the name of daivaputra of the
sons of gods' [ 1800,p.45 ]. They spread over the whole of Bengal, and
emigrated thence by sea to southern Indian and Ceylon.
The Gandharvas are the Gandharans :
* Gandharva and Gandhara are cognate terms.
* When Bharata destroyed the Gandharvas, he built the capital
cities of Taxila and Pushkalavat [ Alld.920 ]. Taxila was the capital of
Gandhara during historical times.
* The Ganharans are a hill tribe, which fits the mountain
region of modern Afghanistan.
* The Gandharvans are described by Aryans as good-looking,
which in Aryan eyes today, fits the people of the Gandhara region, ie.
fair skin, black hair etc.
Considering this, it is accepted by most that the Gandharvas were a
hill tribe, considered handsome by the people of the plains, but were
later converted into divine mythical beings [ Mah.wh.228 ]. The Sudras
(Sudrans) were considered a different race from the Aryas (Aryans):
" He lauded with one. Living beings were formed: Prajapati was
ruler ... He lauded with nineteen: the Sudra and the Arya were created :
day and night were the rulers."
-- [ Muir.I.18 ] [ Vajasaneya Samhita XIV.28 ff ] = [ Tait.Sam.
IV.3.10.1 ]
"The Brahman caste is sprung from the gods; the Sudra from the
Asuras"
Sans.: " Daivyo vai varno brahmanah
asuryyo sudrah "
-- [ Tait.Brah.I.2.6.7 ][ Muir.I.21 ]
" Let him at his will milk out with a golden dish. But let not
a Sudra milk it out. For this Sudra has sprung from non-existence .
They say that that which a Shudra milks out is no oblation. Let
not a Sudra milk out the Agnihotra. For they do not purify that. "
-- [ Tait.Brah.III.2.3.9 ] [ Muir I.21 ]
The Sudras were always vilified as a black race: After Prajapati
(ie. Brahma) created the beings,
" The colour (Varna ) of the Brahmans was white, that of the
Kshtriyas red, that of the Vaisyas yellow, and that of the Shudras black"
-- [ MBh.Santi.6930 ff ][ Muir.I.140 ]
" The Brahman is his mouth; he is the Kshattriya-armed, that
great One, Vaisya-thighed, and has the black caste abiding in his feet."
" Brahmananam kshattra-bhujo mahatma vid-urur anghrisrita-krishna-varnah"
-- [ Muir.I.156 ] [ Bhg.Pur.II.1.37 ]
"Others he [ Brahma ] created from his feet, whose chief
characterisitic was drakness."
-- [ Muir 62 ] [ Vis.Pur. I.6.5 ]
" these 7 varshas have a system of four castes. The caste which
dwell there are severally the Kapilas, Arunas, Pitas, and Krishnas (or,
the Tawny, the Purple, the Yellow and the Black). These, the Brahmans,
Kshattryias, the Vaisya an Sudras, worship woth excellent sacrifices
Vishnu ... in the form of Vayu... "
-- [ Muir I.499 ] [ Vis.Pur.II.4.12 ]
The nagas are named as such perhaps because of their worship of the
serpent - cf the serpent - god of Manipur conquered by the son of Arjuna
[ Ram.wh 318 ] Indra killed the `demon' Puloman to avoid the curse after
having violated his daughter Shaci [ Opp.18 ]. `Pulastya' is evidently
linguistically related to `Puloman'.
Indra is known as `Balanashena or Balarati the enmey and destroyer
of Bala. [ Opp.18 ]
Ravana is esteemed by the Jains [ Opp.524 ]
Krishna is referred to as Mallari, the enemy and destroyer of the
Asura Malla.
Indra is referreed ot as Valadvish or Valanashana, destroyer of the
demon Vala, the brother of Vrtra, and was also known as `Balanashena or
Balarati, the enemy and destroyer of the demon Bala. [ Opp.15 ]. That
this was no demeon but an aboriginal is proven by the city
Mahabalipuram, a city built by Bali.
Vishnu is referred to as Balidhvamsin, since he defeated the giant
king Bali in the shape of the dwarf Vamana. [ Opp.15 ]
Rama cowardly murdered the mighty monkey-king Bali or Vali, brother
of Sugriva by treachorously shooting him from behind a tree, while
enticing them to both fight, and hence is proudly called `Balihantr'.
Bali is cognate to the terms Bhillas, Bhils, Bhallas, Vellallas,
Pulindas and Pulanyar, Valhanar, Velamas. [ Opp.15 ]
Bhar [ Ptol.VII.2.20 ] is mentioned as an aboriginal race
`Barrhai'. Bar then led to Barbari is Sanskrit or Varvari. The Bhars
inhabited Bundelkhand and were its former rulers. [ Opp.37 ]
The Buddhist term `Vihara' led to the name `Bihar' [ Opp.41,
although he seems doubtful of this etymology ]
" Six colours of living beings are of principal importance,
black, dusky, and blue which lies in betwen them; then the red is more
tolerable, yellow is happiness, and white is extremem happiness. WHite
is perfect, being exempted from stain, sorrow and exhaustion;
(possessed) of it a being going through various births arrives at
perfection in a thousand forms.
... Thus destination is caused by colour, and the colour is
caused by time ...
The destination of the black colour is bad. When it has
produced its results, it clings to hell."
-- [ Muir I.151 ] [ M.Bh.Sant.10058-60 ]
The Marathi word dalit, was chosen by the group itself and it means
literally "ground," or "broken or reduced to pieces" [ Womn ].
Myths of Caste Origin based on Profession
Unfortunately some Vedist apologists refuse to believe that caste
is racial in origin. We add some remarks below:
" Explain to me the means - whther it be intense austere-favour
or ceremonies, or Vedic learning - whereby a Kshatriya, a Vaisya or a
Shudra, if he so desire it, can attain to the state of Brahman. Bhishma
replies ,
The state of a Brahman is hard to be acquired by men of hte
other three classes, the Kshattriyas etc., for this Brahmanhood is hte
highest rank among all living creatures. It is only after pasing through
numerous wombs, and being born again and again, that such a man, in some
revolution of being, becomes a Brahaman.' -- [ M.Bh.Anu.1869-70 ] [
Muir.I.441 ]
Matanga was the offspring of a Brahman woman, who when intoxicated,
received the embraces of a low-born barber, and consequently he was no
brahmin but a Candalla. He was however, brought up as a Brahman, but
discovered it later. Whence he entered upon austerities, desiring
Brahmanhood from hte gods:
" He asks for Brahmanhood; but Indra tells him he must perish
if he continues to make that request, as hte high position he seeks
cannot be obtained by one born as a Chandalla ."
-- [ MBh.Anu.1895 ] [ Muir.I.441 ]
After austerties of a thousand years, Indra stil refused to give
him the boon and only gave him the abilility to fly like a bird, to
change his shape at will and of beign honoured and renowned.
It is true that conversion from one caste to the other is allowed,
but it has to be added that this takes several thousand rebirths. Thus,
Indra explains to Matanga that :
* A Chandella can become a Sudra only after 1000 births.
* A Sudra can become a Vaisya only after 30 times that period
* A Vaisya can become a Rajanya after 60 times the previous length.
* A Rajanya can become a Brahman after 60 times the previous
duration.
-- [ MBh.Anu.1901 ff ][ Muir.I.441 ]
Mahabharata Wars - Allies and Casualty Estimates
By the time of the Mahabharata conflict, the Aryans had settled
around the region of modern Delhi. The Mahabharata War was a conflict
between the pure Aryans and the non-Aryans and mixed races. The latter,
represented by the Kauravas, supported a multi-racial society, while the
former, the Pandavas, insisted on racial purity.
Racial Composition of the Armies Ethnic Group Race
KAURAVA Allies Non-Aryans & Mixed-Races
Trigarttas [ Mah.raj 240ff ] Scythic Tyri Getae
Mlechchha [ Mah.raj 243 Black Aboriginals
cf. their king Anga ]
Sindhu [ Mah.raj 251 ff, 256 ff ] Semites
PANDAVA Allies Pure Aryans
Panchala [ Mah.raj 106, 297 ] Aryans
Chedi [ Mah.raj 106 ] Aryans
Kekaya [ Mah.raj 106 ] Aryans
Vrishni [ Mah.raj 106 ] Aryans
Matsya [ Mah.raj 330 ] Aryans
Magadha [ Mah.raj 330 ] Non-Vedic Aryans
Bahlika [ Mah.raj 330 ]
Dasharna [ Mah.raj 330 ]
The Kauravas were of mixed race. Thus, Dhritarasthra's son-in-law
was Jayadratha, king of the Sindhus [ Mah.raj 251 ]. Some of the Yadavas
supported the Pandavas, others opposed [ Mah.raj 323 ]. The victory of
the Aryans over the non-Aryans in this war enabled them to continue
their migration southwards and eastwards.
The Pandavas raised 7 armies as opposed to the Kauravas' 11. On the
14th day of the battle Arjun annihilated 5 of the 11 armies (
`akshoumin' ) amassed by the Kauravas. Attacking the Pandavas, Drona
destroyed 1 army, Karna 2, and Bhishma 1. Yudhishitra told Dhritarasthra
that the number of great warrriors slain numbered more than 94 crores
(ie. 940 million). Some authorities estimate that 1.27 askhoumin = 1
billion (10^9), but this is an exaggeration. A more reasonable estimate
is that most of the 18 armies total perished, 7 out of the 18 being the
Aryan Pandava armies. Al-Beruni has estimated that the 18 akshouhinis
add up to a total of 8,267,094 humans [ al-B.i.408 ]. Thus, the
Kurukshetra Battle of the Mahabharat War alone accounted for 8.3 million
casualties. Achaemenid and later Mauryan armies numbered several hundred
thousand, and so a reasonable estimate of the number of combatants in
one army is 100,000. The total number of casualties would then be 1.8
million. This is a reconciation between the billions of poets' fancies
and the hundreds of certain historians, who wish to downplay this as the
clash between rivel cow-herders. The latter view is untenable, witness
the descriptions of battlefields.
The Ramayana is later than the Mahabharata, since:
* Location: Rama's capital is Ayodhya in Koshala, while Indra's
is in Panchala
* Weapons are mentioned in the Ramayana that are not mentioned
in the Mahabharata. Hence technology developed in the meantime.
During Hanuman's invasion of Lanka, which perceded that of Rama, he
eradicated an army of Ravana. The total number of casualties was 80,000,
seven Rakshasa generals, 5 commanders and Aksha. [ Ram.wh 340 ]
Archaeological Evidence for Vedic Aryan Invasions (1500 BC - 1000 BC)
Here is some of the archaeological evidence of Aryan invasions.
Thick Ash Layers
Thick ash layers occur in the upper strata of many Indus cities. At
Nal the last phase of the Zhob-ware was burnt down so much so that the
mound is known as the Sohr Damb, or the Red Mound, from the reddening
due to fire. At Dabar Kot the upper 6 feet of the tell show 4 thick ash
layers that indicate repeated destruction by conflagration and the RG V
encrusted ware is associated with the last settlements of Harappa [
Pig.215 ].
At the Rana Ghundai mound everywhere overlying the foundation level
of the RG III c phase there are pockets of ash. Above the RG III c phase
the pottery is markedly different from the preceding type, the RG IV
phase pottery being painted with coarse bands. RG IV was again destroyed
by fire, and the RG V phase is marked by another change in pottery. The
RG V pottery is unpainted and contains patterns in relief [ Pig.214 ].
Fractured Skulls
At Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Chanhu-daro, skeletons/fragments of
skeletons indicate violent massacres in the final stages of the cities'
history. Huddled skeletons of persons murdered in the streets indicate
that the mass dyings were not due to poisonings etc. but were violent.
-- [ Pig.145 ]
Also, Mallaja denotes Vellaja, black pepper. [ Opp.18 ]
Buddha is described as being of the Sakya tribe, which has given
rise to the theory that he was a Scythian [ Opp.20 ] However, the
location of his home in Nepal, is itself indicative of a Mongol origin.
In Telugu `Malavadu' = Pariah and the 2 terms are equivalent [
Opp.21 ] This is related to the term `Malayalam' and Malabar, which are
synonymous with `outcaste'.
It is to be noted that Mallarasthra = kingdom of Malas or
aboriginalas and Mallas; this later became Maharasthra and this is thus
an alternative derivation of Maharashta, sometimes derived from `Great
Kingdom'. In Marathi Mallara is applied to Pariahs. [ Opp.21-22 ]
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: HINDUISM FOR WESTERNERS |
11 Apr 2005 04:31:06 PM |
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Le G=E9ant wrote:
.
RaceandHistory.com
Apartheid Varna System
This part gives an in-depth account of the oppression in the
apartheid caste system, and the restrictions placed on the subjugated
races with full quotations and references to the `sacred' scriptures
that sanction these. The varna caste system is decidedly racial in
origin [ Greg ], whilst the jati profession-based caste system is
not.
Apartheid Varna System and Other Caste Systems
The varna system of India during the Brahmanic Ages (1500 BC -
1000
AD) is to be distinguished from caste systems in other parts of the
world. The Brahmanic varna system (`varnashramadharma') is basically
a
genocidal apartheid system designed to exterminate the `black varna'.
Caste systems in other parts of the world (eg. US South, Brazil,
Islamic
millet systems in the Ottoman Empire and the Delhi Caliphate etc.)
were
by contrast far milder, permitting the co-existence of different
races
and discouraging miscegenation without extermination in mind.
It is good to know that American races coexisted without extermination.
Since they haven't been exterminated, where may one find a Yahi Indian
or Pocahontas' great-great...grand nephews/nieces?
The word
caste is of Portuguese origin, and refers to this co-existence and
preservation of different identities for races, not necessarily with
a
loose hierarchy. It is thus not correct to apply the word `caste' to
the
Hindu varna system, since it gives a false impression of a milder
institution.
Sudroids Seen as Animals
The Sudroid blacks are repeatedly referred to as `animals', &
never
treated as humans in the Hindu scriptures.
Manu mentions Sudras but where does he mention Sudroid blacks?
The Sudra Black is also not allowed to participate in any rites
of
the Aryan Vaishnavite religion : " A Brahman should never beManu the
guru of
a Sudra.
..=2E. and how does this imply that the Sudra was black?
'While the first part of a Brahman's name should indicate
holiness that of a Kshatriya's power and that of a Vashya's wealth,
that
of a Sudra 's should indicate contempt. The Veda is never to be read
in
the presence of a Sudra, and for him no sacrifice is to be performed.
He
has no business with solemn rites." [ Stat ] [ Wilk.247-8 ].
Enforced Illiteracy
To eonforce their domination over the subjugated races, all
these
and especially the negroid Sudras, were forcibly kept in illiteracy.
This maintained the Brahmin state.
What word is used for negroid?
Sudra Blacks are not allowed to even read the Vedas, and are
punished by having their tongue cut out if they do so. If they hear
the
Vedas, they are to have molten tin poured into their ears. The Vedas
are
meant to be read only by Aryans :
" A Sudra has no right even to listen to the Veda.
Recitation
of or listening to this sacred book is exclusively a privilege of the
Aryan Hindus. There is provision of severe punishment for a Sudra, in
case he dares to enjoy this privilege. If he "overheard a recitation
of
the Vedas, molten lac or tin was to be poured into his mouth; if he
repeated recitation of the Vedas, his tongue should be cut; and if he
remembered Vedic hymns, his body was to be torn into pieces."
-- [ Tirth ]; cited in [ Stat ]
That this rule was actually enforced is proven by the account of
Alberuni, who visited India in the 10th century AD :
" The Vaisya and the Sudra are not allowed to hear it [ the
Veda ], much less to pronounce and recite it. If such a thing can be
proved against one of them, the Brahmans drag him before the
magistrate,
and he is punished by having his tongue cut off ."
-- [ al-B.i.125 Ch.XII ]
Did Al Biruni observe that Sudras were black?
and again,
..=2E. and again, no mention that Sudras were negroid!
" Every act that is considered the privelege of the Brahman,
such as saying prayers, the reciting of the Veda, and offering of
sacfirices to the fire, is forbidden to him, to such a degree that
when,
eg. a Sudra or a Vaisya is proved to have recited the Veda, he is
accused by the Brahmans before the ruler, and the latter will order
his
tongue to be cut off . However, the meditation on God [ is not
prohibited ]."
-- [ al-B.ii.127 Ch.LXIV ]
Hence, the caste system did not decrease in severity right from
the
Aryan invasion in 1500 BC upto the Islamic conquest ca. 1000 AD. That
implies a 2500 year period during which the apartheid caste system
was
in operation - longer than anywhere else in the world.
What was the caste system in 1500 BCE? What are the castes mentioned in
the 1st few mandalas of the RV and are their names maintained till 1000
AD?
Some scholars have claimed that the laws of Manu were not
necessarily followed in practice. This is merely Brahmanic-Aryan
propaganda, since the account of Alberuni quoted above shows that the
law was enforced in all its severity. In addition, the accounts of
countless Greek and Arab travellers prove that the caste system was
enforced during the medieval period, and the account of European
travellers, especially English ones, proves that it was in force in
South India till the British conquest. Thus, an Aryan Nair would
shoot a
Dravidian at sight.
What Aryan Nairs? Nairs are Dravidian. There are black Nair Dravidians
and fair-nonNair Dravidians.
However, the Islamic invasion relaxed caste systems
to a great degree, when the liberal Quranic law substituted the harsh
Vedic laws.
For contesting the claims of the pretentious fair-skinned
Aryans,
the black Sudra is to have his tongue cut off, hot oil poured in his
ear, or a nail thrust into his mouth
Once-born means once-born, not black. Twice-born means twice-born, not
fair-skinned. :
The Sudras were always vilified as a black race: After Prajapati
(ie. Brahma) created the beings,
" The colour (Varna ) of the Brahmans was white, that of the
Kshtriyas red, that of the Vaisyas yellow, and that of the Shudras
black"
-- [ MBh.Santi.6930 ff ][ Muir.I.140 ]
Does this mean that Kshatriyas were a red race and Vaishyas were a
yellow race?
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| User: "Jez" |
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| Title: Re: HINDUISM FOR WESTERNERS |
12 Apr 2005 08:39:31 AM |
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Dr. Jai Maharaj wrote:
Hinduism For Westerners
Is neither needed or wanted.
Now ***** and take your trolling with you.
--
Jez, MBA.,
Country Dancing and Advanced Astrology, UBS.
'Realism is seductive because once you have accepted the reasonable
notion that you should base your actions on reality, you are too often
led to accept, without much questioning, someone else's version of what
that reality is. It is a crucial act of independent thinking to be
skeptical of someone else's description of reality.'-
Howard Zinn
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: HINDUISM FOR WESTERNERS |
12 Apr 2005 07:25:00 PM |
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Dr. Jai Maharaj wrote:
Hinduism For Westerners
Since you posted this on alt.atheism, here are some for you.
Atheism for Indians
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=atheist+centre&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.positiveatheism.org/india/lavintro.htm
http://www.positiveatheism.org/tocindia.htm#TSUNAMI
Americans' King is Indian's god
http://www.positiveatheism.org/india/india00.htm#ELVIS
In the Indian state of Karnataka, a Hindu temple appears to boast as
one of its deities the True King -- none other than Elvis Presley.
Jesus's real name is Margarita
http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/handhack.htm#BLOODINDIA
Barbaric Divorce Ritual Continues In India
http://www.positiveatheism.org/india/india00.htm#DIVORCE
In India, a man may either shout "Talaq" three times at once, with the
divorce effective four months later, or shout "Talaq" one time during
each of three consecutive menstrual periods and be divorced immediately
after the third shout.
Gods' Votes hold water
http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/alleloo.htm#GODSVOTE
Voter officials in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in India, validated
ballots for 10,000 gods and goddesses to somehow vote in upcoming
plebiscites on water usage.
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