Welcome to Eternal Path! This week we feature a segment on Sanskrit and caste, a highlight on Hindu festival security, and an aesthetic!
History Highlight: Sanskrit and Caste
One pernicious lie, often repeated by so-called “anti-caste” activists, is that learning of the Sanskrit language was gatekept by Brahmins for 2/3/4/5000 years, which allegedly “oppressed” the lower castes. While certain very specific Hindu rituals and Vedic study were limited to Brahmins, Sanskrit learning was availed of by members of all castes. We’ve actually covered multiple Sanskrit scholars and Hindu preacher of sudra caste origin in previous issues, such as Achyutanand Das in Week 28, and Arumuga Navalar in Week 2.
Dr. Satyan Sharma from the Department of Sanskrit at Punjab University has provided a few historical examples that clearly refute the idea of Sanskrit being limited to Brahmins, sourced from his presentation 'Accessibility of Vyākaraṇa across social classes: Clues from Dharmaśāstra, Itihāsa and historical records':
Hinduphobia Highlight: Leicester Redux
Many of our readers are likely familiar with the Hinduphobic attacks in Leicester and other parts of Britain by Muslim extremists in 2022. One of the key Muslim activists, Majid Freeman, recently was caught stalking Hindus during Janmashtami celebrations, alleging Hindu extremists were congregating (based on the presence of a Hanuman flag). Tweet shown below.
A meme posted on Hindu twitter encapsulates the average Islamist reaction to Hindu practice of their religion and flying their flags.
With more atrocity literature, caste propaganda, and Muslim propaganda against Hindus gaining in prominence, combined with temple attacks in India, Canada, Australia, the US and around the diaspora, we are going to replug our reading from Week 145 on Temple and Festival security.
Week 145: Temple and Festival Safety, Sindhi Hindus of the Canary Islands, Navaratri
This week we highlight: actions Hindu communities need to take in light of recent attacks, the Sindhi Hindu diaspora of the Canary Islands, Action Highlight: Temple and Festival Safety in light of Hinduphobic attacks in the UK With Navaratri and Deepavali coming up very soon, and the ensuing gathering and celebrations these holy days bring, this is extre…
Aesthetic: Mariamman Temple, Bangkok
