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Modern challengers before Vaisnavism

 
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unnati
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:53 am    Post subject: Modern challengers before Vaisnavism Reply with quote

Jai jai shri gokulesh

I found this project work intresting by Mr. kaushik Desai and would like to share the same...

Introduction:

India is very lucky because the supreme lord has showered on her his blessings by giving heritage of Vedas. Germany and other countries has made tremendous progress after studying Vedas in depth. However we can see that even within India there was revolt against Vedic religion due to so many reasons and other religions were followed. This has started creating threat against Vedic religion. Vedic religion had also faced attack by Christians and Muslims. In modern times this challenges are still continuing and the new generation has so many questions for Vedic traditions. Vaisnavism, being branch of Vedic religion can not be left out of being affected by these challenges. It is therefore very necessary to study past challenges, Hinduism has faced and in that context what are the new challenges are there before vaisnavism and how these challenges can be faced.

I (Mr. Kaushik Desai) have tried to enumerate this challenges and my own suggestion along with suggestions from others in order to overcome problems faced by vaisnavism, so that people can understand importance of Vedic religion, which can lead to spiritual upliftment of human being.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia


Last edited by unnati on Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
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unnati
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Hinduism – a spiritual treasure

The term Hindu refers to habitant of India. Hindu word has been derived from Sindhu. It is connected with Indus valley civilization. The term Hindu religion specifically refers to saivism and vaisnavism which originated because of Bhakti movement in Tamilnadu. One has to Understand the difference between life and soul in order to understand Hindu religion. It is the responsibility of every one who has born as Indian to protect the Hindu religion as Hindu religion is hereditary treasure through their birth. It is not perishable but everlasting spiritual treasure. It is a question that the word Hinduism is in correlation with Hindu religion as spiritual concept which speaks about God, spirit and life or merely it is political concept. The supreme court of India passed a judgment that Hinduism is the Indian way of life. Hence Hinduism has been reduced to only political way of life rather than spiritual way of life, like other religions such as Jainism or Buddhism which are recognized as doctrine of spiritualism. In my opinion it will be fair to propagate that Hinduism is very well connected with Hindu religion which has been Derived from Vedas and therefore it is not only political way of life but It is a spiritual way of life and accepted other doctrines as its part.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia
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unnati
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Christianity and Krishna

Having understood the term Hindu, Hindu religion and Hinduism we can Proceeds further to study the challenges faced by Hindus from others. It is Very surprising to note that Hinduism had high influence on other religion Like Christianity. Robert Bernard a famous author has said that teachings of Krishna are the origin of Christianity. According to him birth of chirst Originates from the older, Sanskrit-documented narration of the birth of Krishna as found in puranas. Shree Krishna, for example, was born in Mathura but taken to a pastoral setting just after birth- Christ was ready to be born in the larger city of Nazareth but taken to a pastoral setting just before he was born. At birth, the devatas showered flowers and sang hymns in glorification of the baby Krishna, just as it is related in relation to the angels and Christ in the Gospel of Luke. After His birth, Shree Krishna was visited by a wise man, the sage Narada Muni who foretold his future according to the alignment of stars at the time. This is similar to the way in which Jesus was visited by the Magi who had followed a star in the heavens in order to find him and who also foretold of His future glory.

From above they concluded that Krishna is the origin of Christianity. However due to lack of unity and feeling of pride and dignity for religion, Hindus were attacked by chirstians. It is believed that the Portuguese Governor of the Jaffna destroyed more than five hundred Hindu temples. In 1546 the King of Portugal in a letter to Viceroy of Goa - Jaffna came under his review – ordered that all idols be smashed and those practicing idolatry be severely punished. By 1620, all traces of Hinduism in Tamil districts were wiped out, and most of the Jaffna population had converted in to Catholicism. Those staunch Hindus who refused to give in to the Portuguese moved to Vanni, resulting in a redistribution of the Jaffna population. The British adopted a shrewd and cunning plan to propagate Christianity in India. The British gave a free hand to their Christian churches and missionaries to do the dirty work for them. Like a spider slowly and pain stakingly spinning a web around its prey, these Christian organizations very systemically and methodically spun the web around those potentially easy targets of the Hindu population. These organizations established some of the best educational institutions in India. However, the Hindus felt that these institutions were nothing but a scheme to thrust the ‘Bible’ on the throats of the Hindu population. So we can understand how British and Portuguese had taken advantage of un-united Hindus and how successfully converted Hindus from whom they have originated basis of their religion. It proves that one should not only be fully aware of his religion but should have feeling to respect and protect it.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia
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unnati
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Challenges of Islam.

The phase of Indian history marked by the domination of the Muslims in most of northern India saw great changes in Indian religion. The advent of Islam in the Ganges Basin at the end of the 12th century resulted in the withdrawal of royal patronage from Hinduism in much of the area. The attitude of the Muslim rulers toward Hinduism varied. Some, like Firuz Tughluq (ruled 1351-88 ) and Aurangzeb (ruled 1658-1707), were strongly anti-Hindu and enforced payment of jizya, a poll tax on unbelievers. Others, like the Bengali sultan Husayn Shah 'Ala' ad-Din (reigned 1493-1519) and the great Akbar (reigned 1556-1605), were well-disposed toward their Hindu subjects. Many temples, however, were destroyed by the more fanatical rulers. Conversion to Islam was more common in areas where Buddhism had once been strongest--modern Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kashmir. It is very surprising that both British and Muslims were foreigners but Hindus were oppressed by them because Hindus were proved to be deficient against cunningness of Britishers and determination of Muslims to convert India in to Islamic nation only because Hindus were lacking the feeling of proud for their religion, they were divided between themselves in to different casts. They had different rituals, rites etc. so both British people and Muslims took advantage of divided Hindus and ruled them for years.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia
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unnati
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai jai shri gokulesh

Challenges by Jainism and Buddhism

By the fifth century, the biggest threat to Saivaism (Hindus) came from two fronts- Jainism and Buddhism. Among the two religions, Jainism seemed to be a bigger threat to Saivaism (Hindus) than Buddhism. Their influence and power was rising at an alarming rate in South India. Many Hindu kings were converted to Jainism and it seems that Saivaism was on the verge of annihilation in South India. It was during this time for the upliftment of Hindus famous ‘Bhakthi’ movement was born – 7th to the 9th century. Led by the child sage- Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikavasagar, they went from temple to temple singing the greatness of Lord Siva. In their fight against the Jains and the Buddhists, the Saivites found an unusul ally – Vaishnavites. Until then, Vaishnavism was neither popular nor powerful in South India.

Clash with Saivism

When the Saivities joined hands with the Vaishnavites to fight against the Jains, they would have not dreamt that one-day Vaishanvites would pose a bigger threat to Saivism in the future. Like the Saiva Naynamars’, the Bhakthi movement among the Vaishnavism was led by the twelve Alwars – between 6th to 10th centuries AD. Vaishnava Acharayas - of which Ramanujacharya (1017-1137AD) and Madhwacharya (-1199 - 1278AD) were famous- followed the Alwars.By the early 8th century, Jainism and Buddhism were completely wiped out from South India due the ‘Bhakthi’ movement, and the Cholas were rising to power. To their horror, Saivaites now found that their ally - Vaishnavites - were firmly established in South India and posed a bigger threat to Saivaism. Vaishanavites made Srirangam- near Trichi- their bastion. The conflicts between Saivaism and Vaishnavism are best illustrated in Kalki's’s epic novel ‘ Ponnian Selvan’. From the 8th to 12 century, Chola power was at his zenith. Cholas were strong Siva worshipers. It is believed the Chola king, Kulothunga 1 banished Ramanujacharya from Srirangam. However, by the 13th century, Vijayanagar Empire rose to prominence and they were staunch patrons of Vaishnavism. We can easily conclude that although saivism and vaisnavism both are derivatives of Vedas, they had fight between themselves for supremacy and other religions had taken advantage of the same.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia
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unnati
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Influence of Aryans on Dravidians

It is said that the 1) Persians 2) Greeks 3) Sakas 4) Romans 5) Kushans and the 6) Huns who came to India in different periods without any religion were united as Aryans (foreigners) and were ruling. During this time, the Aryan laws like Manu dharma Sasthra, which elevate the Aryans (foreigners) and degrade the Dravidians (Indian) were devised. From this paragraph we can conclude that there are two problems to be solved, i.e. whether Aryans are foreigners? And even if they are foreigners and they have accepted Hindu religion, should we still have to treat them as foreigners? And second problem is whether Manu dharma sasthra is advocating castism or we have failed to understand it properly.

Misconcept of Hindutva and Advaita philosophy.

It was believed, particularly in south India that A Religious A Political and A Economical wealth of India are of the alien Aryans and the way of life of the Dravidians living as slaves and untouchables is known as Hindutva. So due to whatever problems were faced in the society at that time, Hindutva was downgraded to an un imaginable level. Similarly there was also an uproar against Sankarachryas Advaita philosophy and it was clamed that this philosophy has given birth to four varnasram namely Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras which divided society in to castism. It is the duty of all of us to clarify that Hindutva is not to mean slavery but it means glory of all and Advaita philosophy is not what is being interpreted but it is a tool to reach a spiritual and divine life.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai Shri Krishna Unnatiji

Very interesting insight about the influences of various cultures and religions.

Thank you for the efforts. Please continue at your convenience.
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai jai shri gokulesh,

Really sorry for the late reply Zankanaji.

Problems of Brahmins and Sanskrit language

It is alleged that Brahmins are part of Aryans and they claims that they worshiped Brahma and therefore they are Brahmins. They have enslaved Saivists and Vaisnvas and brought them under their control and formed a
state that Saivism and Vaishnavism are a part of the Brahmin religion. There was also problem with Brahmins that they were speaking only. Sanskrit language which was not common for common people and they failed to understand what was being told to them. Perhaps these incidents has widened the gap between Brahmins and other casts.

Problems of Bonded labour

The Times of India reported on 10th May 1987 that Swami Agnivesh, President of the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, said that more than 20,000 people, mostly Harijans and Adivasis, were still being exploited and were leading the lives of slaves in the West Champaran and Gopalganj districts of North Bihar. Surprisingly these type of incidents also being blamed on Vedas and Brahmanism that they paved way the way for Bonded labour system in India. It is the duty of all Hindus that while they should explain that although bonded labour system is condemnable, Vedic culture is not only responsible for the same. However Hindus has to take lead in abolishing bonded labour system from India.

Problems of devdasi

TIMES OF INDIA - 10th Nov. 1987: confirms that the practice of dedicating young Harijan girls (Mahars, Mangs, Dowris and Chambhar) at childhood to a goddess, and their initiation into prostitution when they attain puberty continues to thrive in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of South India. This is largely due to social backwardness, poverty and illiteracy, according to a study by two doctors of the India Health organisation. The report clearly indicates that the Devadasi system was the result of a conspiracy between the feudal class and the priests (Brahmins), who with their ideological and religious hold over the peasants and craftsmen, devised a practice which acquired religious sanction. They noted in their study on - "Devadasis - the link between religious culture and child prostitution". The study revealed that girls from poor families were sold after puberty at private auctions to a master who initially paid a sum of money to the families ranging from Rs. 500 to 5000. The study, made during health camps organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the devadasi populated areas, revealed that the dedicated girls formed 15 percent of the total women involved in prostitution in the country, and as much as 70 percent to 80 percent of the prostitutes in the border districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. This shows the extent to which the lecherous Brahmins raped and exploited the Negroid Sudra women of South India. Although these type of incidents were restricted to limited states of India and perhaps are not in existence in current time, we can not escape from the fact that these has happened in our religion and we have to take care that this should not happen in future and we have to prove that Hindus are front runner in maintaining women’s dignity irrespective of her cast.
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Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....Shri Vitthala Nam Vina Mantra Kya Thi Paou......Shri Vallabha Charan Vina Sharan Koni Jaou.....
Unnati M. Kadakia
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jai Shri Krishna

Even today people follow caste systems in India till some or the other extent. I have seen even "educated" people behave in very inhuman ways while in India. It is definitely a taboo on Hinduism or generally speaking on Indians.

Thank you Unnatiji on insights about the possible origins of these current issues in India.
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