I want to share some of my views on the captioned subject, with other
members of the forum.
1. For all kinds of faiths, proof cannot be produced nor shall be demanded.
2. The world over, majority of people accept this principle as a settled issue.
But only in India, that too only when it comes to Hinduism and its related
matters, hue and cry is being made demanding material evidence or
historical proof for the topic under discussion.
3. It must be remembered here that history, on the lines of one written by
Europeans, was not recorded as a separate discipline, until the arrival of
the English, French, Portuguese and the like in India, in the 17th century
A.D. But, historical events have been mentioned either briefly or
elaborately in various stories - oral or written - in the form of folk tales,
morals, dramas, music/songs, paintings, sculptures and monuments and
other forms of arts, crafts and literature, over the past 3000 years.
Similarly the visiting tourists from other countries who have written books
that have gained acceptance and credibility in the academic circles
globally, vouch for certain important historical events and social
conditions prevailing in India, as observed by them during their visit.
4. One could see the connecting fibre/undercurrent between various works
of this nature, irrespective of our country being under rule by people of
different kinds of faiths, languages, religions - both indigenous and alien -
and race and colour.
This is what we call unity in diversity today, when we talk about our
country and its glorious heritage.
5. The central objective of this letter (!) from me is why should we keep on
questioning everything about Hinduism, thus rejecting everything at the
end. Rationalism is not challenging the settled beliefs, but accepting
them only after rigorous tests or repeated questioning, for the sake of
seeking additional information, clarifications on the missing links and
ultimately convincing oneself, before accepting them and adopting them,
either in part or as a whole.
6. Unfortunately, the modern intellectuals criticise and pass judgements on
every aspect of Hinduism, only to belittle it. They don't have the
courage to do this to other religions or faiths.
My intention is not to urge/provoke such so-called intellectuals to poke their nose in other religions also, but to advise them to exhibit the same level of tolerance towards Hinduism and its beliefs and practices.
- pannvalan
members of the forum.
1. For all kinds of faiths, proof cannot be produced nor shall be demanded.
2. The world over, majority of people accept this principle as a settled issue.
But only in India, that too only when it comes to Hinduism and its related
matters, hue and cry is being made demanding material evidence or
historical proof for the topic under discussion.
3. It must be remembered here that history, on the lines of one written by
Europeans, was not recorded as a separate discipline, until the arrival of
the English, French, Portuguese and the like in India, in the 17th century
A.D. But, historical events have been mentioned either briefly or
elaborately in various stories - oral or written - in the form of folk tales,
morals, dramas, music/songs, paintings, sculptures and monuments and
other forms of arts, crafts and literature, over the past 3000 years.
Similarly the visiting tourists from other countries who have written books
that have gained acceptance and credibility in the academic circles
globally, vouch for certain important historical events and social
conditions prevailing in India, as observed by them during their visit.
4. One could see the connecting fibre/undercurrent between various works
of this nature, irrespective of our country being under rule by people of
different kinds of faiths, languages, religions - both indigenous and alien -
and race and colour.
This is what we call unity in diversity today, when we talk about our
country and its glorious heritage.
5. The central objective of this letter (!) from me is why should we keep on
questioning everything about Hinduism, thus rejecting everything at the
end. Rationalism is not challenging the settled beliefs, but accepting
them only after rigorous tests or repeated questioning, for the sake of
seeking additional information, clarifications on the missing links and
ultimately convincing oneself, before accepting them and adopting them,
either in part or as a whole.
6. Unfortunately, the modern intellectuals criticise and pass judgements on
every aspect of Hinduism, only to belittle it. They don't have the
courage to do this to other religions or faiths.
My intention is not to urge/provoke such so-called intellectuals to poke their nose in other religions also, but to advise them to exhibit the same level of tolerance towards Hinduism and its beliefs and practices.
- pannvalan
