Tattva

This article is from the book Hinduism and the Clash of Civilizations, written by David Frawley and published by Voice of India in 2001. It is reprinted here with permission from the author.

In media accounts today, particularly in India, it seems that any group which identifies itself as Hindu or tries to promote any Hindu cause is quickly and uncritically defined as ‘right-winged’.

In the Marxist accounts that commonly come from the Indian press, Hindu organizations are routinely called fundamentalists, militants or even fascists. This may be surprising for the western mind, inclined to think of India as a Hindu country. But not only have states in India like Bengal and Kerala been long dominated by Marxists, most of academia and much of the English-language media has been as well. Their slanted views are often uncritically accepted by the western media as well.
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Preface
“Hindu Rashtra” is the cardinal principle of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It is regarded as the life-breath of RSS. Ironically, it is perhaps the most misunderstood concept in modern India, and is often used to propagate false notions about the RSS and the Sangh Parivar in general. Many articles have been written on this issue and this article borrows ideas from two of them “Hindu Rashtra” by K. Suryanarayana Rao and “Why Hindu Rashtra” by K.S. Sudarshan. This article is by no means a substitute to any of the above articles, but is a mere compilation of ideas from them presented in a simple language.  

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The West has made great material progress in the past couple of centuries. However, this progress has been accompanied with destruction of natural resources, less emphasis on family values, increased stress, loneliness, crime, and hatred. In its search for solutions to these problems, the West has found many answers in the ancient Hindu philosophy. This quest for answers from the Hindu thought can be seen in the recent rise of many Hindu organizations, yoga studios, meditation centers, etc. Many Hindus are themselves rediscovering their ancient past and the timeless teachings of their rishis. Read the rest of this entry »

This article was written in response to a biased and incorrect “letter” that attempted to distort the efforts of Hindu activists around the world. The anti-Hindu “letter” was entitled “A Letter to a Young American Hindu”.

Over the centuries the United States of America has been the new home for many old world immigrants.  Many of these immigrants were fleeing atrophied systems and rigid societies. In many cases the very nature of these societies suffocated the natural growth of its member communities.  Any time efforts or movements developed as a challenge to the status quo, the response was generally negative.  Many of these efforts and movements could not blossom until they were transplanted to America.  Yet, unfortunately, representatives of the status quo challenged this blossoming and growth.  These attacks threatened not only the targeted groups but also the very essence of the American ideals of freedom, fair-play, and equality. A brief overview of the current Indian-American condition reveals a perfect example of Old World suffocation of
New World dedication and inspiration. Read the rest of this entry »

Arun Lakshman reporting from the state of Kerala in India for ‘The Pioneer’:

In Kerala, as in other states of India, M.S.Golwalkar(Gurji)’s birth centenary was a year-long program aimed at stimulating mass opinion on the single most important issue before the nation: Terrorism

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The media often portrays Hindutva as an ideology of hate towards non-Hindus and is projected as a political tool to play with the emotions of people. The word “Hindutva” can be understood as Hindu +Tattva= the ideology related to Hindus. A fundamental aspect of this ideology is devoted to day-to-day living. In particular, Hindutva is a practical approach to the problems of Hindu Society, to the problems of India (Bharat). Therefore, Hindutva has a definite goal and offers the methods to reach that goal.

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Pt. Upadhyaya (September 25, 1916 - February 11, 1968) is well known for his idea of INTEGRAL HUMANISM - the concept which is deeply embedded in Indian Psyche. While he was a student at Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1937. He dedicated himself to full-time work in the RSS from 1942. Deendayal Upadhyaya was a man of soaring idealism and had a tremendous capacity for organisation. He started a monthly Rashtra Dharma, a weekly Panchajanya and a daily Swadesh. In the field of politics and economics, he was pragmatic and down to earth. He visualized for India a decentralized polity and self-reliant economy with the village as the base. Read the rest of this entry »

The past 515 years have seen a continual struggle between indigenous Traditionalists and indigenous ‘Progressives’. Unlike India, Native Americans did not have a massive population base to sustain their culture. Still it took nearly 400 years to destroy the Native civilization. Tribes were torn apart, families separated and lives lost in the struggle between those Natives committed to their Traditional culture and those Natives that rejected the old ways as useless. Traditionalists were targeted simply for practicing their ancient traditions, speaking their language and worshipping in their native way.

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Hinduism is a unique religion and culture in more than one way. Its most remarkable characteristic is the tenacity with which this oldest surviving tradition has kept itself alive, vibrant and relevant through the passage of time, barbaric invasions and advent of newer ideas. The wisdom left upon by ]the ancient rishis (saints) and sadhus (sages) is still available in the form of countless scriptures: Vedas, Upanishads, Shrutis to name a few. The timeless tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata are told with the same enthusiasm through centuries.

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