Instant Maggie and instant coffee are passe. Now the ultimate nirvana is instant patriotism. All I need to show my patriotism is forward emails containing scores of photographs of militant-fighting commandos, which people have seen many times over in any case. Or a part-true, part-false catalogue of Indians settled in the US and Europe.
And in the same vain, supreme sacrifice for the cause of the nation is to assemble in a public square, criticize others and, may be, light a candle. But if you ask me to vote, either I don't have time or I hate standing in a queue, except at airports or US visa office. In any case, why vote because all politicians are useless? I have no qualms in flouting all laws as long as I don't get caught- right from traffic to tax. Because, the government is so corrupt and I am planning to emigrate soon.
It, however, does not mean that I am not patriotic. I will continue to forward emails lauding India from there also.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Dharma vs. Religion
Translation is the trickiest job, because very often words represent concepts unique to a particular culture. For example, dharma is a concept unique to Indian culture. It denotes a way of life, your duties, etc. It is a dynamic concept- one's dharma varies as per situation and role. One may follow separate dharmas of a son, a father, a husband, a citizen, etc. at the same time. It follows, therefore, that religion can never be its English equivalent.
In Indian context, a concept parallel to that of religion, was that of 'mat', and followers of one belief used to be called mataavalambis. In ancient times, jains, vaishnavas/sanatanis, shaivas were denoted as different mataavalambis.
Is Hinduism a religion? It can not be. The word itself is of medieval origin and draws from a Persian word 'Hindu' meaning black, as in Hindukush mountains.Hindus came to be known as Hindus through Mughals; there is no such word in ancient scriptures. Some people link this word with 'Sindhu'and say that 'Hindu' word was used to denote people living on this side of Sindhu (Indus) river.But whatever the origin, even if Hinduism is a dharma, it can never be confined to a different concept, that of religion.
In Indian context, a concept parallel to that of religion, was that of 'mat', and followers of one belief used to be called mataavalambis. In ancient times, jains, vaishnavas/sanatanis, shaivas were denoted as different mataavalambis.
Is Hinduism a religion? It can not be. The word itself is of medieval origin and draws from a Persian word 'Hindu' meaning black, as in Hindukush mountains.Hindus came to be known as Hindus through Mughals; there is no such word in ancient scriptures. Some people link this word with 'Sindhu'and say that 'Hindu' word was used to denote people living on this side of Sindhu (Indus) river.But whatever the origin, even if Hinduism is a dharma, it can never be confined to a different concept, that of religion.
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