DOCSLIB.ORG

Arise Arjuna by David Frawley

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Arise Arjuna by David Frawley Arise Arjuna Hinduism and the Modern World By David Frawley Arise ARJUNA - Hinduism and the Modern World by David Frawley Social Issues, Religious Issues, Historical Issues, Cultural Issues - all these are discussed by David Frawley in this Arise ARJUNA - Hinduism and the Modern World About Dr. David Frawley Dr. Frawley has written articles for many magazines and publications in the United States and India. In this country magazines he has contributed to have included Yoga International, Quest, Hinduism Today, Light of Consciousness, Clarion Call, Yoga-Vedanta, Vegetarian Times and Yoga Journal and such newspapers as India Post and News-India Times. In India he has contributed to the Mountain Path, World Union, Sri Aurobindo's Action, the Advent, Mother India, Glory of India, Vedanta Kesari, Bharatiya Prajna, the Astrological Magazine, the Journal of Vedic Astrology, and Tattva Loka. Dr. David Frawley is one of the few westerners recognized in India as a Vedacharya or teacher of Vedic wisodm. In 1991 under the auspices of the Indian teacher, Avadhuta Shastri, he was named Vamadeva Shastri, after the Vedic Rishi Vamadeva. In 1995 he was given the title of Pandit along with the Brahmachari Vishwanathji award in Mumbai for his knowledge of the Vedic teaching. Over the years Vamadeva has received additional awards and honors for his work from throughout India. Vamadeva (Dr. Frawley) is a unusual western born knowledge-holder in the Vedic tradition. He carries many special Vedic ways of knowledge (vidyas), which he passes on to students in India and in the West. In India, Vamadeva is recognized not only as a Vedacharya (Vedic teacher), but also as a Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer), Puranic (Vedic historian) and Yogi. He is a visiting professor for the Vivekananda Yoga Kendra in Bangalore, India, a government approved deemed university for yogic and Vedic studies and also a teacher with the Sringeri Shankaracharya Math, the most central of the traditional Vedantic centers in India. Vamadeva has written many articles and several books on contemporary issues in India, particularly the challenges to Hinduism and yogic culture posed by modern civilization. This examination of Hindu Dharma began with his book From the River of Heaven: Hindu and Vedic Knowledge for the Modern Age (1991). Additional titles addressing more contemporary issues published through Voice of India in Delhi like Arise Arjuna (1995), Awaken Bharata (1998) and Hinduism and the Clash of Civilizations (2001) offer a helpful alternative to the media view of India and the Hindu religion, countering academic and leftist distortions and media stereotypes. This has given him the reputation in India as one of the foremost Hindu writers today. Dr. David Frawley is one of the most important scholars of Ayurveda and Vedic Science today. I have great respect and admiration for his knowledge and the way he has expounded the ancient wisdom of the Vedas. Deepak Chopra Frawley is an Indian in an American body. The ease with which he enters into the spiritual of the Indian tradition and renders its deeper concepts in terms of modern thought shows an unusual familiarity with this ancient wisdom. M.P. Pandit, Secretary of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Paperback, 228 pages, ISBN: 81-85990-27-1 First Published: 1995, Ediitions: English (India), Telegu, Hindi, Marathi Arise Arjuna is available in its entirety on line. Note the online books section of the website. American ordering through Arsha Vidya Gurukulam Bookstore, Indian Classical and Modern History section for $12.00. The book has undergone more than five reprints in India and is considered to be a classic text on the role and portrayal of Hindu Dharma in India and the West today, and why Hindus should take a more active role in presenting their tradition to the world. This eBook compiled by [email protected] for www.nandanmenon.com, is an exact copy published at ww.vedanet.com. Page 2 of 83 Arise ARJUNA - Hinduism and the Modern World by David Frawley Contents About Dr. David Frawley …2 Preface The Preface which was given by the Author "David Frawley" regarding this "Arjuna" …5 Arise Arjuna The world, perhaps as usual, is in a state of crisis. And in this extremity no nation has yet arisen …7 as a defender of the Truth. Hinduism In Crisis The recent movement has an opposite intent-to embrace Western materialist culture and …10 abandon traditional Hindu culture and spirituality perhaps altogether. Misrepresentations of Hinduism in the Press Hindus have a history of tolerance and respect for all religions, which is almost unparalleled in …14 the rest of the world. Hindu Fundamentalism: What Is It? Fundamentalism is an easily discernible phenomenon in belief-oriented religions like Christianity …18 and Islam which have a simple and exclusive pattern to their faith. Leftist Scholarship in India We have learned that the real truth has been that Marxism was the opiate of the intellectuals, …23 as it has been called, not that religion itself is an illusion. India and the Concept of Nation-State India has been criticized for not succeeding in becoming a unified and disciplined modern …25 nation-state like Japan and Germany. Religious Persecution in Pakistan The Ahmadiya mosque had been functioning for over fifty years. There was no dispute that the …26 place belonged to the Ahmadiya. Taking Offense At One's Religion Being Criticized Not surprisingly she has fled the country, which obviously does not appear to be a safe place for …28 her, or anyone who might question the majority religion of the land. Vedanta, Unity and Universality, The Unity of Truth The sense of an underlying order, harmony or law behind existence is the basis of all systems of …30 knowledge. Practical Vedanta, the Real Message of Swami Vivekananda Those in India are inclined to see Vivekananda's centenary as an anniversary of the revival of …34 Hinduism in the modern world. The Unity of Religion and Unity of Truth An attitude of tolerance, a kind of ecumenical spirit has gained favor with a number of groups …36 today, particularly in India. The Unity of Religion and Religious Tolerance Those today who like to proclaim that all religions are one, seldom define what all religions …42 have in common. Swami Rama Tirtha on Islam Though his teachings are on par with Vivekananda-indeed often more poetic and inspiring-since …46 he formed no organization they are not as well known. Page 3 of 83 Arise ARJUNA - Hinduism and the Modern World by David Frawley Contents …continue A Comment on Ram Swarup's Hindu View of Christianity and Islam There are many books available in the world today that provide critiques of different religions …48 from both religious and non-religious standpoint. Yogic Spirituality and Islam A number of those who proclaim that all religions are one like to carry this principle further and …51 make the founders of all religions into Divine incarnations (avatars). India and Hinduism in the Mahabharata These ideas are often used to discredit India as a real country or Hinduism as a valid religion. …59 The Aryan Invasion of India Questioned in the Western Textbooks They destroyed the more advanced Dravidian civilization of the subcontinent, which is …60 evidenced by the ruins of the Harappan or Indus civilization. The Aryan-Dravidian Divide The darker-skinned Dravidians-and that the Dravidians were the original inhabitants of India …62 whom the invading Aryans conquered and dominated. The Unity of the Vedic and Shaivite Religions Shaivism has been regarded by many, particularly Western scholars, as Dravidian; that is, as an …66 ethnic religion of South Indians. The Ancestry of Ravana Ravan was related to Lavana, also regarded as a Rakshasa, of Madhupura (Mathura) in the region …70 of the Surasenas, who was conquered by Rama's brother Shatrughana. East and West, Where is the Boundary? One of the most common divisions in culture is that of humanity into East and West. While this …72 can be a convenient way to designate different types of cultures. The Value of Hindu Culture for the World To find truth, all the great sages have told us that one must go beyond all outer divisions of …76 race, creed, caste, nationality or culture. An American Discovers the Vedas In the modern world everyone, including Hindus, appears to be trying to adopt Western culture …80 with its scientific and technological advances and economic affluence. Page 4 of 83 Arise ARJUNA - Hinduism and the Modern World by David Frawley Preface Over the last few years, I have written a number of articles and essays on current issues in Hinduism. These reflect the social, intellectual and historical issues that are important in Hinduism today. Based upon the suggestions of Hindu friends, I decided to include a number of these articles in one volume so that they can reach a larger audience. The topics chosen are among the most difficult and controversial, which therefore many people may not want to examine so as not to offend anyone. However, unless we examine these topics I don't think we can arrive at Truth, particularly in this time of world crisis which requires that we examine everything. This book is intended mainly for an Indian audience, which naturally is going to be more familiar with these issues. Unfortunately there are very few people in the West who understand India or Hinduism enough to understand this book or appreciate its seriousness (I might add a number of Hindus fall in the same category). Westerners have taken up certain spiritual aspects of Indian civilization, like its yogic practices, which they use mainly for their own personal benefit, and seldom concern themselves about the state of the culture and how it has suffered under Western religions, political and materialistic influences.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Mahabharata
    ^«/4 •m ^1 m^m^ The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924071123131 ) THE MAHABHARATA OF KlUSHNA-DWAIPAYANA VTASA TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH PROSE. Published and distributed, chiefly gratis, BY PROTSP CHANDRA EOY. BHISHMA PARVA. CALCUTTA i BHiRATA PRESS. No, 1, Raja Gooroo Dass' Stbeet, Beadon Square, 1887. ( The righi of trmsMm is resem^. NOTICE. Having completed the Udyoga Parva I enter the Bhishma. The preparations being completed, the battle must begin. But how dan- gerous is the prospect ahead ? How many of those that were counted on the eve of the terrible conflict lived to see the overthrow of the great Knru captain ? To a KsJtatriya warrior, however, the fiercest in- cidents of battle, instead of being appalling, served only as tests of bravery that opened Heaven's gates to him. It was this belief that supported the most insignificant of combatants fighting on foot when they rushed against Bhishma, presenting their breasts to the celestial weapons shot by him, like insects rushing on a blazing fire. I am not a Kshatriya. The prespect of battle, therefore, cannot be unappalling or welcome to me. On the other hand, I frankly own that it is appall- ing. If I receive support, that support may encourage me. I am no Garuda that I would spurn the strength of number* when battling against difficulties. I am no Arjuna conscious of superhuman energy and aided by Kecava himself so that I may eHcounter any odds.
    [Show full text]
  • ADVAITA-SAADHANAA (Kanchi Maha-Swamigal's Discourses)
    ADVAITA-SAADHANAA (Kanchi Maha-Swamigal’s Discourses) Acknowledgement of Source Material: Ra. Ganapthy’s ‘Deivathin Kural’ (Vol.6) in Tamil published by Vanathi Publishers, 4th edn. 1998 URL of Tamil Original: http://www.kamakoti.org/tamil/dk6-74.htm to http://www.kamakoti.org/tamil/dk6-141.htm English rendering : V. Krishnamurthy 2006 CONTENTS 1. Essence of the philosophical schools......................................................................... 1 2. Advaita is different from all these. ............................................................................. 2 3. Appears to be easy – but really, difficult .................................................................... 3 4. Moksha is by Grace of God ....................................................................................... 5 5. Takes time but effort has to be started........................................................................ 7 8. ShraddhA (Faith) Necessary..................................................................................... 12 9. Eligibility for Aatma-SAdhanA................................................................................ 14 10. Apex of Saadhanaa is only for the sannyAsi !........................................................ 17 11. Why then tell others,what is suitable only for Sannyaasis?.................................... 21 12. Two different paths for two different aspirants ...................................................... 21 13. Reason for telling every one ..................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Hindu Responses to Religious Diversity and the Nature of Post-Mortem Progress
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Apollo Hindu Responses to Religious Diversity and the Nature of Post-Mortem Progress The last two hundred years of Hindu–Christian encounters have produced distinctive forms of Hindu thought which, while often rooted in the broad philosophical-cultural continuities of Vedic outlooks, grappled with, on the one hand, the colonial pressures of European modernity, and, on the other hand, the numerous critiques by Christian theologians and missionaries on the Hindu life-worlds. Thus, the spectrum of Hindu responses from Raja Rammohun Roy through Swami Vivekananda to S. Radhakrishnan demonstrates attempts to creatively engage with Christian representations of Hindu belief and practice, by accepting their prima facie validity at one level while negating their adequacy at another. For instance, these figures of neo-Hinduism accepted that such ‘corruptions’ as Hinduism’s alleged idol- worship, anti-worldly ethic, caste-based distinctions and the like were all too visible on the socio-cultural domain, while they formulated revamped Vedic or Vedantic visions within which these were to be either rejected as excrescences or given demythologised interpretations. In Swami Vivekananda, we find on some occasions a more strident rejection of certain aspects of western civilization as steeped in materialist ‘excesses’ which needed to be purged through the light of Vedantic wisdom. Through such hermeneutical processes of retrieval, often carried out within contexts structured by British colonialism, these figures were able to offer forms of Hinduism that were signifiers not of the Oriental depravity that the British administrators, scholars and missionaries had claimed to perceive on the Indian landscapes but of a spiritual depth that transcended national, cultural and ethnic boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Vishwa Dharma Digest
    Yugabdh: 5122 1970-2020 Golden Jubilee Year Shaka Samvat: 1942 Vikram Samvat: 2077 VOL: L No: 2 April-June 2020 Vishwa Dharma Digest APRIL-JUNE 2020 1 1970-2020 Golden Jubilee Year 2 APRIL-JUNE 2020 1970-2020 Golden Jubilee Year WORLD HINDU COUNCIL OF AMERICA (VHPA) NATIONAL OFFICE: www.vhp-america.org Tel.: 732-744-0851 P. 0. Box 2009, [email protected] Natick, MA 01760 VOLUME: L NO: 2 APRIL-JUNE 2020 इहैव तैर्焿त: स셍嵋 येषां सामये स्锿तं मन: | रन셍嵋षं रह समं ब्रह्म त्मा饍 ब्रह्मरि ते स्锿ता: || -�셀मद्भ셍वद셍셀ता 5.19 ihaiva tair jitaḥ sargo yeṣhāṁ sāmye sthitaṁ manaḥ nirdoṣhaṁ hi samaṁ brahma tasmād brahmaṇi te sthitāḥ || -Bhagvad Gita 5.19 Even in this life, the world is conquered by those whose mind is established in equality. Brahman is free from defects and is the embodiment of equality; therefore, become established in Brahman. About the HINDU VISHWA World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) publishes the Hindu Vishwa issue quarterly, except when combined with EDITORIAL TEAM special publications. For subscription, please fill out the membership form on the last page. For Advertising inquiries please contact: Shyam Tiwari @ 7709622669 or email: [email protected] Managing Editor: World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), founded in Shyam Tiwari 1970 and incorporated in the state of New York in 1974, is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt and volunteer- [email protected] based charitable organization serving the needs of Hindu Editor: community in USA. It aims to build a dynamic and vibrant Hindu society rooted in the eternal values of Dharma and Ronica (Rajranee) Jaipershad inspired by the lofty ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa SALYA
    The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa SALYA PARVA translated by Kesari Mohan Ganguli In parentheses Publications Sanskrit Series Cambridge, Ontario 2002 Salya Parva Section I Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana and Nara, the most exalted of male beings, and the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered. Janamejaya said, “After Karna had thus been slain in battle by Savyasachin, what did the small (unslaughtered) remnant of the Kauravas do, O regenerate one? Beholding the army of the Pandavas swelling with might and energy, what behaviour did the Kuru prince Suyodhana adopt towards the Pandavas, thinking it suitable to the hour? I desire to hear all this. Tell me, O foremost of regenerate ones, I am never satiated with listening to the grand feats of my ancestors.” Vaisampayana said, “After the fall of Karna, O king, Dhritarashtra’s son Suyodhana was plunged deep into an ocean of grief and saw despair on every side. Indulging in incessant lamentations, saying, ‘Alas, oh Karna! Alas, oh Karna!’ he proceeded with great difficulty to his camp, accompanied by the unslaughtered remnant of the kings on his side. Thinking of the slaughter of the Suta’s son, he could not obtain peace of mind, though comforted by those kings with excellent reasons inculcated by the scriptures. Regarding destiny and necessity to be all- powerful, the Kuru king firmly resolved on battle. Having duly made Salya the generalissimo of his forces, that bull among kings, O monarch, proceeded for battle, accompanied by that unslaughtered remnant of his forces. Then, O chief of Bharata’s race, a terrible battle took place between the troops of the Kurus and those of the Pandavas, resembling that between the gods and the Asuras.
    [Show full text]
  • August 19, 2021 Dear President and Esteemed University Administrators
    August 19, 2021 Dear President and esteemed university administrators, We write to you to express our serious concern regarding an event to be held September 10-12, 2021, entitled “Dismantling Global Hindutva” (DGH). This event is being promoted as co-sponsored by your institution with your institution’s name and logo appearing on the DGH website, promotional materials, and social media posts. If this event is not endorsed by your institution, or if the logo is being utilized in contravention to university policy, we respectfully request that you: 1. ask the event organizers to remove your university’s name and logo from its website, promotional materials, and social media posts, 2. ensure the safety and wellbeing of Hindu students, faculty, and staff on your campus who may feel targeted, threatened, or face hostility or harassment as a result of this partisan, anti-Hindu event. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) which we represent, wholeheartedly supports free speech and academic freedom as we are guided by the Hindu precepts of satya (truthfulness), vāda and saṃvāda (debate and discussion), and viveka (discernment). We ask that institutions of higher learning support the same and also privilege academic integrity by promoting open inquiry, encouraging a diversity of viewpoints, and modeling constructive disagreement. This event, however, is the antithesis of all of these values. The DGH organizers trade on the prestige of your institution’s name to host, not an academic conference, but a partisan event related to politics in India. The event platforms activists with extensive histories of amplifying Hinduphobic discourse even while denying the existence of Hinduphobia.
    [Show full text]
  • Isavasya Upanishad
    ISAVASYA UPANISHAD 1 SHANTI MANTRA Om poornamadah poornamidam I Poornaath poorna mudachyate I Poornasya poorna madaaya I Poorname vaava sishyate I Om shanti shanti shanti hi II Om, That is Full, This also is Full, From Fullness comes that Fullness, Taking Fullness from Fullness, Fullness Indeed Remains. Om Peace, Peace, Peace. Isavasya Upanishad Shukla Yajur Veda 18 Mantras - Jnana Yoga Verse 1 - Jnana Yoga Sara Elaboration . Verse 4 - 8 - Nivritti Marga Verse 2 - Karma Yoga Sara - Karma Yoga Elaboration. Verse 9 - 14 - Pravirthi Marga - One who does not follow Karma Verse 3 - Upasakas prayer Yoga / Jnana Verse 15 - 18 Yoga criticised. for Krama Mukti 3 INTRODUCTION 1. Dasa Upanishad : 2. Isavasya and Brihadaranyaka belongs to shukla yajur veda. • Isavasya Upanishad or Isho Upanishad (2 Names). Mantra Upanishad Brahmana Upanishad - Beginning of Veda - Later portion of Veda. - Isavasya Upanishad - Commentary on Mantra / Portion - Mundak Upanishad - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Commentary on Isavasya Upanishad) - Prasno Upanishad (Commentary on Mundak Upanishad) 3. Most words used in contextual meaning not in dictionary meaning. 4 4) Shanti Mantra : 1st Explanation That is Whole, this is Whole ; from the Whole, the Whole becomes manifest. From the Whole, when the Whole is negated, what remains is again the Whole. Atma, Chaitanyam, Conciousness Svarupam Jivatma Paramatma Atma Chaitanyam, 3 Sharirams (Prakrti, Atma Chaitanyam, 3 Prapanchas (Maya, Conciousness Svarupam Matter, Nama / Rupa) Conciousness Svarupam Matter, Nama / Rupa) Sthula Sukshma Karana Sthula Sukshma Karana Vishwa Teijasa Pragya Virat Hiranyagarbha Ishvara 5 1) Poornam Adhaha, Poornam Idam : Poornam Adhah Poornam Idam Paramatma is Poornaha, Jivatma is Poornaha, infinite, infinite, whole whole • Equating them we can say, Jivatma and Paramatma are one and the same, both infinite.
    [Show full text]
  • Né Pour Briller, Né Pour Réussir Avec Une Maîtrise Parfaite, Le Pr. Lal
    Né pour briller, né pour réussir Avec une maîtrise parfaite, le Pr. Lal insère des explications dans le texte même, s’épargnant ainsi les notes. Critique, par Pradip Bhattacharya. Le Mahabharata de Vyasa. Le Karna Parva (livre de Karna), transcréé du sanskrit par le Pr Lal, Writers Workshop, Rps 1000 (broché). Tirage spécial en 50 exemplaires numérotés, avec un frontiscipe original peint à la main, Rps 2000. La bataille du Kurukshetra présente un double point fort : le duel Karna-Arjuna et la confrontation finale Bhima-Duryodhana. Nous arrivons au troisième livre de la bataille, l’ancienne génération est tombée ; et en même temps qu’elle, ses obsessions. La soif de revanche de Drupada sur Bhishma et Drona a été assouvie par deux de ses fils, engendrés dans ce but. Avant d’être décapité, Drona tue deux des principaux alliés des Pandava : Drupada et Virata. L’ancien Bahlika, Bhagadatta, Bhurishrava – tous sont tués. Rien ne fait plus obstacle au désir de Duryodhana de nommer Karna commandant en chef, un désir auquel il avait dû renoncer par deux fois. Bien que Karna ait fui au moins par trois fois du champ de bataille durant le commandement de Drona, Duryodhana s’accroche à son invincibilité avec une foi aveugle, avec le désespoir d’un homme qui se noie. Le lecteur notera un trait unique du style du Pr. Lal dans sa transcréation : l’utilisation de doublets chaque fois que Vyasa n’emploie pas le nom usuel d’un personnage. Ainsi, avec une maîtrise parfaite, il insère des explications dans le texte même, s’épargnant les notes.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Hindu Dharma
    Srisa Chandra Vasu A catechism Of Hindu Dharma Srisa Chandra Vasu A Catechism of Hindu Dharma Table of Contents PREFACE .............................................................................................................. 3 CHAPTER I ............................................................................................................ 5 WHAT IS HINDU DHARMA ........................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER II ......................................................................................................... 34 ON WORSHIP .......................................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER III ........................................................................................................ 54 ATMA OR SOUL ....................................................................................................... 54 CHAPTER IV ........................................................................................................ 92 KARMA AND REBIRTH ............................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER V ....................................................................................................... 149 THE RULES OF CONDUCT ......................................................................................... 149 2 A Catechism of Hindu Dharma Preface Twenty years ago when this book first made its appearance, it created great excitement in a certain section
    [Show full text]
  • Cambridge Ordinary Level HINDUISM 2055/01 Paper 1 October/November 2018 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark
    Cambridge Assessment International Education Cambridge Ordinary Level HINDUISM 2055/01 Paper 1 October/November 2018 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 100 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2018 series for most Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components. This document consists of 18 printed pages. © UCLES 2018 [Turn over 2055/01 Cambridge O Level – Mark Scheme October/November PUBLISHED 2018 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
    [Show full text]
  • Shri Guru Charitra
    Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara Guru Sakshat Parabrahmah Tasmai Shree Guru Veh Namah Shri Guru Charitra Introduction 'Shri Guru Charitra' is the life of 'Shri Guru Dattatreya' (an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara). It was originally written in Ovi form (a Marathi Metre) in Marathi by Shri Saraswati Gangadhar, whose ancestor Sayamdev had personally lived and served with devotion, Guru Narasimha Saraswati, an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya about 600 years ago. It was later translated into Sanskrit by Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Tembye Swamy), who is regarded by many as an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya and who lived about a hundred years ago. It has been later translated into several other languages. This volume is regarded as Divine; capable of blessing one and all who read it with respect and is placed with images of Gods and adored in almost all devotees' houses of Maharashtra. It is much respected and is very popular like Vedas, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Bhagawat and other Puranas in Sanskrit and Dnyaneshwari, Dasbodh, Ekanathi Bhagawat etc. in Marathi. In the last century, it has spread its influence far and wide and legion are the experiences got by those devotees who read it regularly with respect. Shri Dattatreya had taken birth at the Ashram of Atri and Anasuya in very very old times (Krita Yug) and it is believed that his two incarnations namely Shripada Shri Vallabha and Shri Narasimha Saraswati had taken place in the Deccan in about the 14th and 15th Century (A.D.) respectively. Shri Manikya Prabhu, Shri Akkalkot Maharaj, Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi and Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati are some of the great Saints who are considered as the Avatars (incarnations) or Amsas (taking a part of His powers) of Shri Dattatreya.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianities of South Asia
    SMC456H1F: INDIAN CHRISTIANITY RLG3280H: CHRISTIANITIES OF SOUTH ASIA MEETING TIMES: Tuesdays, 6-9 pm, in Teefy Hall 103 Instructor: Reid B. Locklin Office: Odette Hall 130 Phone: 416.926.1300, x3317 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: T 10:10-12 noon and by chance or appointment Email Policy: I will attempt to respond to legitimate email enquiries from students within 3-4 days. If you do not receive a reply within this period, please re-submit your question(s) and/or leave a message by telephone. Where a question cannot be easily or briefly answered by email, I will indicate that the student should see me during my posted office hours. Course Description This seminar explores the claim of diverse Christian traditions in South Asia to be religious traditions of South Asia, with special attention to these traditions’ indigenisation and social interactions with majority Hindu traditions. Our study will begin with an overview of the historical development of Christianity in India from the first century CE to the present. In a second unit, we move to close readings of three major theological articulations for and against an indigenous South Asian Christianity: M.M. Thomas, Ram Swarup and Sathianathan Clarke. Finally, our attention will turn to the concept of “ritual dialogue” in Christian practice and the ethnographic study of Christian communities in India. Most of our attention will be focused on Christian traditions in South India, but students are encouraged to choose topics related to Christianity in other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and/or Bhutan for their research papers.
    [Show full text]