An Analysis of Hindutva

Gautama Buddha - India's Greatest Son who preached the message of Universal Love and Non-Violence.

What is Hindutva?
The term "Hindutva" is derived from the two terms 'Hindu Tattva", which literally mean "Hindu Principles". Now the question is, what are Hindu Principles and what comprises the "Hindutva" Outlook?

To answer this question we would have to begin with the history of the Hindus. The history of the Hindus is the history of a civilization which has developed in its natural state, without interruption, since antiquity. Its age is dated to be between five and nine thousand years. Hence Hindu History is a prototype of how human civilization would have looked, if civilization all across the globe had been allowed to develop in its natural state. This is the relevance for us to study Hindu Civilization, Hindu History and Hindu Culture.

The evolution of Hindu Civilization can be considered to be natural and continuing as there is no last messiah in the Hindu world view. In fact this is what distinguishes Hindu Civilization from the rest. And this is why Hinduism is called a Living Idea, guided by the sum total of human wisdom that is not considered to be embodied in one person, or one book, or one period of human history. Hence the term "Living". Hindutva is the articulation of this idea of continuity of freedom of thought from which emerge the multifarious Hindu Principles.

Two instances of Hindu Principles that symbolize the outcome of freedom of thought are the pronouncements made not today, but four thousand years back by unnamed rishis (Hindu ascetics) that, "This world is one family" (Vasudaiva Kutumbakam) and that "The Universal Reality is the same, but different people can call it by different names" (Ekam Sat Viprah Bahuda Vadanti). In these two proclamations made in ancient Hindu India, we see the seeds of globalism and freedom of thought, four thousand years before the world was to become the global village of today.

Thus in its true essence, Hindutva is a stridently assertive rational-humanist line of reasoning. And it is this essence of Hindutva that we have kept in mind, while developing this website. At the level of practice, the Hindutva outlook boils down to upholding righteousness (Sat-guna) and fighting ignoble attitudes (Dur-guna). Taking poetic license, we can describe the practitioners of this outlook as "Heenam Naashaayati iti Hinduhu" (Those who uphold righteousness and fight ignobleness are Hindus).

Thus, far from being a narrow nationalistic doctrine, Hindutva is in its true essence, 'a timeless and universal compilation of human wisdom'. Hence it is also called "Sanatana" which means, something that is "forever continuing."

At this site, you will read about different aspects of the history and culture of the Hindus in that part of our globe which is the birthplace of Hindutva. This land is known variously as Bharatvarsha, Hindustan or India. My approach of looking at history is that of a rationalist and humanist. In the context of India, these two values are a result of the freedom of thought which forms the core of the tradition of Hindutva. As my aim is to spread awareness about history and culture, you may freely download this non-profit educational page, print it, link it up from your site, or mirror it at any server.

Incidentally, this site brings you material from eleven books written by the author, over a period of 20 years, since 1980. Each book is presented here as a chapter. The contents of this site are spread over 61 webpages, which translate to about 1500 A4 size printed book pages. The site is richly illustrated with 400+ graphics. Enjoy the infotainment laid out for you at this site.

I also look forward to your valuable suggestions and feedback. Happy viewing.

- Sudheer Birodkar

____________________________________________________________

An Analysis of all Aspects of Hindutva

- Hindu History, Hindu Culture, Hindu Philosophy and the Hindu Outlook towards Religion and Human Existence

by Sudheer Birodkar

This site has been selected by Encyclopedia Britannica "as one of the best on the Internet, when reviewed for quality, accuracy of content, presentation and usability".

____________________________________________________________________________

Hindu History - A Search for Our Present in History

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter One - INDIA through the Ages

________________________________________________________________________

How we Lived during Vedic Times

______________________________________________________________________________

The Maurya Empire Politically Unifies us as One State

______________________________________________________________________________

The Coming of Feudalism Changes Our Way of Life

_____________________________________________________________________________

Rajnamavali - Our Kings Who Presided Over Our Destiny

______________________________________________________________________________

Rajput Resistance to the Muslim Aggression

______________________________________________________________________________

The Intervention of Alien (Muslim and British) Rule

_____________________________________________________________________________

Marathas under Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Fight for Swaraj (Independence)

______________________________________________________________________________

The British Come to Rule India and the Return of Indian Sovereignty

___________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Two - Hindu Influences on Different Communities

___________________________________________________________________

Hinduism - The Essence of India

______________________________________________________________________________

Buddhism - Our Message of Peace and Goodwill

______________________________________________________________________________

Jainism - Gave us Non-Violence as an Ethical Outlook

______________________________________________________________________________

Vedanta, Sankhya and Lokayata

______________________________________________________________________________

Sikhism - Defended Our Self-Esteem and Re-asserted Our Original Humanist and Rationalist Outlook

______________________________________________________________________________

Islam - Came first Seemingly as a Message of Universal Brotherhood and Later as an Aggressor to Blanket India in a Dark Age for Eleven Hundred years

______________________________________________________________________________

Christianity - Came first as a Message of Peace with the Apostle St. Thomas and then as a Colonial Power of the Portuguese and the British

______________________________________________________________________________

Judaism - The Lost Tribes Found a Safe Haven in India

________________________________________________________________________________

Zoroastrianism - Sought Refuge in India from Annihilation at the hands of Islam

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Three - The Hindu Holocaust

______________________________________________________________________________

Evidence of the Hindu Holocaust

______________________________________________________________________________

Different Viewpoints on the Hindu Holocaust

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Four - The Hindu Ethos

__________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Symbols and Symbolisms - Omkar, Swastika, the Saffron colour, and Purna-kumbha

_________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Etiquette - Namaskar and Tilaka

_______________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Folklore - Satyuga and Kaliyuga, Pralaya, Swarga and Narka, and Surya Grahana

_______________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Religious Beliefs - Moksha, Upavasa, and Muhurta

______________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Social Customs - Dowry, Sati and Child Marriage

______________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Religious Practices - Yagna, and Dana and Gotra

______________________________________________________________________________

Hindu Religious Practices - Dwanda Vivaha and Worship of the Mother Goddess

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Five - The Hindu Caste System

____________________________________________________________________________

The Origins of Our Caste System in Vedic Times - Brahmins

____________________________________________________________________________

The Origins of the Warrior Caste - Kshatriyas

______________________________________________________________________________

Kshatriyas - As Protectors of Cows

______________________________________________________________________________

Four Castes and Two Classes

______________________________________________________________________________

Casteist Practices (Untouchability and Endogamy) and Casteism Today

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Six - Hindu Festivals

______________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Religious Festivals - Janmastami, Mahashivratri, Sri-Ramanavami and Nagpanchami

____________________________________________________________________

Social Life in Ancient India - An Outline

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Seven - Ahimsa - Non-Violence

______________________________________________________________________________

Ahimsa (Non-Violence) - A Noble Humanist Concept

______________________________________________________________________________

The Roots of the Value of Non-Violence

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Eight - Secularism and Rational Humanism

______________________________________________________________________________

The Roots of Religious Tolerance in Hinduism

______________________________________________________________________________

Attitudes of Different Religious Communities Towards Secularism

______________________________________________________________________________

Rationalism - The Intellectual Bedrock of Secularism

______________________________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION - Rational Humanism - The Ultimate Human Outlook

______________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Nine - Contribution of the Ancient Hindus to Modern Civilization

______________________________________________________________________________

Ancient India's Contribution to Science and Technology

Introduction

Production Technology and Mechanical Engineering

Shipbuilding and Navigation

Architecture and Civil Engineering

Mathematics

Astronomy

Physics and Chemistry

Medical Science

The Fine Arts

Sports and Games

Philosophy

Summing Up

Glossary of Sanskrit Terms

Chapter Ten - Two Great Hindu Thinkers and Reformers - Vivekananda and Ambedkar

______________________________________________________________________________

Yug-Purush Swami Vivekananda

______________________________________________________________________________

Yug-Pravartak Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

______________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Eleven - Free Graphics on India and Hinduism

______________________________________________________________________________

Free Graphics Pages on India and Hinduism - A facility which Students will find useful

______________________________________________________________________________

Free Graphics Pages on India and Hinduism - A facility which Students will find useful

______________________________________________________________________________

Free Graphics Pages on India and Hinduism - A facility which Students will find useful

______________________________________________________________________________

- Sudheer Birodkar

We welcome your comments on this webpage
_
_
_
You may view what others have said about this webpage

_____________________________________________________________
We invite you to use our Message Board to start a discussion on any relevant topic
___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

We invite you to participate in an online chat in our Hindu History Chatroom.

___________________________________________________

Enter your e-mail address here to receive an e-mail when these pages are updated.

____________________________
Other relevant sites
Hindu World
HinduNet
HinduWeb
Hindu Hriday Samrat
Hindu Books
Hindu Literature
HindutvaNet
Hindu Vivek Kendra
Hindu Students Council
VHP
RSS

An Analysis of all Aspects of Hindutva

- Hindu History, Hindu Culture, Hindu Philosophy and the Hindu Outlook towards Religion and Human Existence

by Sudheer Birodkar

Hindu History - A Search for Our Present in History

Chapter One - INDIA through the Ages

Chapter Two - Hindu Influences on Different Communities

Chapter Three - The Hindu Holocaust

Chapter Four - The Hindu Ethos

Chapter Five - The Hindu Caste System

Chapter Six - Hindu Festivals

Chapter Seven - Ahimsa - Non-Violence

Chapter Eight - Secularism and Rational Humanism

Chapter Nine - Contribution of the Ancient Hindus to Modern Civilization

Chapter Ten - Two Great Hindu Thinkers and Reformers - Vivekananda and Ambedkar

Chapter Eleven - Free Graphics on India and Hinduism

- Sudheer Birodkar

Enter your e-mail address here to receive an e-mail when these pages are updated. ____________________________Other relevant sites Hindu World HinduNet HinduWeb Hindu Hriday Samrat Hindu Books Hindu Literature HindutvaNet Hindu Vivek Kendra Hindu Students Council VHP RSS

Enter your e-mail address here to receive an e-mail when these pages are updated.

____________________________
Other relevant sites
Hindu World
HinduNet
HinduWeb
Hindu Hriday Samrat
Hindu Books
Hindu Literature
HindutvaNet
Hindu Vivek Kendra
Hindu Students Council
VHP
RSS