· Caste System: Segregation of people into groups
o The caste system was meant to divide work based on expertise and inclination. Obvious corollary was that if a child is grown in an environment conducive to a particular trade then its best suited for the child and the society that he/she follow the same trade.
o The modern day analogy would be that of the different disciplines: Engineering, Medicine, Arts, Commerce etc. Even today parents believe that engineering is best suited for a child’s future and growth and the faculties of arts and philosophy are of mere academic importance. So does that mean engineering students are better than anyone else and that it’s an exclusive trade that can be learnt only with kids who are born in a family with engineering lineage? No and so is the case with the caste system. It’s high time people realize that a Kshatriya is one who is educated in art of war, a Shudra is one who does the tertiary works required by the society, Brahman is one who learns and teaches and a Vaishya is one who is interested in business. Anyone can get into any of these faculties depending on their abilities and willingness pretty much like getting into a college with certain prereqs. Just because MIT admits people with certain mental inclinations doesn’t mean that they are biased or they discriminate against the ones who cannot stand MIT’s rigor!
· The Ritual of Sati: Sati or Johar, where a wife would jump into her husband’s pyre.
o For god’s sake this was not the “tradition”. It was forced onto the natives by the aggressors, the truly uncivilized barbaric tribes, who would rape them after killing their husbands. These women would rather die alongside their husband with honor than be dishonored at the hands of uncivilized men. Manu Smriti, one of the most criticized Hindu book-of-law, does not support Sati! It would be worth to noted that the during the rule of Shivaji Maharaj, and "certain" Moghul rulers and British Viceroys this system was fiercely attacked and efforts were made to curb it. But there are a few good people as compared to the evil ones!
· Idol worship: Worshipping a material form to reach the diving god.
o For lord’s sake the human race wants variety even in the potato chips and the salt they use. Everything has to be customized. God who we revere and wish to be one with cannot be customized and is forced unto us. Why? What if I see god in my books? my volunteering? my guest?
o Sanatana dharma gives options to purify of one’s sins and reach to oneness with god. There is only God. Sanantan dharma cannot and does not endorse multiple gods. But it suggests ways and prescribes methods to reach God. What is wrong with it? I am more comfortable with worshipping Lord Ganesha and personalizing my worship than wondering that there is someone out there.
· Indian Education System:
o The current version is the most abominable version gifted to us by the departing British. They destroyed an amazing education system, installed their inferior version to train people in English thoughts so that they could be used for the company.
o It’s time that we go back to the scriptures, take a leaf out of it and get the basics straightened.
These are some of the things I could think of. Please question and comment or bring up a topic and I would like to share my thoughts on it. I accept that there are some shortcomings in the way this religion has been interpreted and presented to the common people. This is an effort to clarify that Sanatana Dharma does not prescribe or suggest such atrocities but it is the mis-interpreation of some who hole power to ensure their rule over the masses. This has happened all over the world. It is but human!
My study is limited to resources available online and may be biased to a lot. Please bear with it and lets help each other understand the basis of these facts. Thanks for reading.
My study is limited to resources available online and may be biased to a lot. Please bear with it and lets help each other understand the basis of these facts. Thanks for reading.
