Monday, January 18, 2010

Dear viewers.

The views expressed in my blogs are the outcome of what I observe and perceive.I don't expect any one to subscribe to it.Nor do I espouse any political or religious cause.

I am a Hindu and I relish extolling the virtues of Hinduism .That doesn't mean that I look down upon other religions.There are several sublime as well as pragmatic principles in the major religions of the world that have a universal appeal with which I am in total concurrence .

Similarly my penchant of taking pot shots at the ubiquitous politicians --the favorite whipping boy of Indians doesn't mean that I abhor them.In fact I like and admire several leaders from Dravidian and National parties [right ,centre and left ]

9 comments:

Viper said...

:-)
Did you get nasty comments whilst talking about a sensitive issue?

Vidat said...

Dear Vetri
I didn't get nasty remarks ,but did get loaded one's.For further clarifications you need only to 'ask' and you shall be suitably enlightened.

Vidat said...

Dear Vetri

You have not sought clarifications, neverthless I take upon myself to clear some doubts.
I seemed to have ruffled few feathers on both sides of the spectrum without actually intending to do so .I was merely quoting from memory generally[I did BA history hons]and knitted it with my observations and experiences of our society.
As a historian I have been trained to compare and contrast to high light a point [here the merits of Hinduism]
It is my observation that educated Indians are apologetic for being a Hindu[probably ashamed of some archaic social practises',superstitious belief's and tedious rituals]and at their Indian'ness whilst the common folk are not and my message was to this segment [educated Hindu's]and not to ride rough shod over the followers of other religions.
Unlike other major religions our principles and ethics are scattered in numerous expositions like upanishads,epics,gita,kural,naladiyar and several other scriptures and not consolidated in one single text for ready reference to the educated class.
This is at once a boon as it makes Hinduism flexible and a bane because the educated class have no consolidated evidence to vindicate their faith in their religion.
Hinduism is a wonderful religion embellished with sublime principles and deep but easily comprehensible philosophies.Like Advaita, Visishtadwaita and several other scools of pholsophies.

Whilst the common ,the poor and the illiterate people of India seemed to have grasped the basic tenets of Hinduism and are firm in their belief,it is the educated class that seems to be in doldrums.
I have also observed the trend of educated youth to quote liberally from other religions over looking our own and sing their praises.This acknowledgment is a futile exercise and will be treated with scant regard because every religion have in their fold many learned persons scholars,philosophers,deep thinkers and committed followers to espouse their cause.
The principle of 'Ahimsa' is so ingrained in us that the spectre of a huge Hindu majority interfering or scuttling away other religiou belief's will never happen.The Hindu dharma has been 'live and let live' through the ages.
Shed this patronizing attitude and try to learn more about Hindu faith which you have inherited and save it for the posterity.
Satyameva jeyate.[let truth prevail ]
Om namo narayana.

Viper said...

Maybe you can paste your long comment as another article in your blog, so that others can read it.

Did you practice law? I heard one of my friends say that you are a lawyer?

We seem to have met people of opposite nature. I am surrounded by the hindus who have no inhibitions about it.

Religions are gonna have both bad and good ideas. Its up to the people to understand it and not practice blindly. But, if every person were to do that then the world would be a lot better place to live. But, that's not gonna happen. :-)

By the way, naladiyar was written by jain monks. And the kural was written without talking about any specifics of a religion.

Vidat said...

Dear Vetri
Thank you for taking time off to reply.
I am a advocate[not practising in court tho'] .My speciality is Hindu law.What has that got to do with this article?
About naladiyar ,I wasn't aware that it was Jain writings.I wanted to mention Nalayara divya prabhandham and Devaram but refrained because they are more to do with Bhakthi and one has to read them deeply to cull the essence of Hindu Philosophy.Kural has universal principles and Thiruvalluvar's religion has not been conclusively established.
Broadly speaking I am of the view that educated Indians in India are apolegetic for being a Hindu in public though they are happy being one in private.

Vidat said...

Dear Vetri
Naladiyar and kural deal with ethics i.e how best one should lead one's life .Both of them donot refer to any religion.Regarding Naladiyar one cannot make a sweeping statement that it was purely Jain composition because the theory of karma which is the backbone of Hindu philosophy runs through . Several principles found in Mahabarata are found in its many compositions.
The Ancient Tamil literature are all practical tips to lead a good life and generally have no philosophical content or religious colouring. 'Yadum ure yavarum kelir' .

Vidat said...

P.S .My source: From those who have done their UG and PG in Tamil and from the internet.

Viper said...

The lawyer thing was something I wanted to ask you a long time ago and I forgot about it. :-)

Yup. You are right, they deal with ethics without specifying religion.

Vidat said...

Dear Vetri
O.k. fine.