[Y-Indology] Book-Burning in India

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Kalavai Venkat:

 

 

 

Thank you for your rebuttal of my statement: <it appears that there have been

instances (in South India) of people (Jainas) being impaled for not

re-converting to the Saiva or ViashNava fold.> I am aware that

Turunamasambandar's claim has been challenged. That is why I said <IT APPEARS.>

I should have added <from some literary sources> and also that <there is reason

to believe that this may have been a poetic exaggeration.>

 

 

 

1. The thrust of my statement in the context of the question raised, though my

example may have been poorly chosen, was that though there have (probably) been

sectarian persecutions in the Hindu world, book burning was not a practice.

 

 

 

2. I am also aware of arguments to the effect that there was no beef-eating in

ancient India (as mentioned in the BA Upanishad, nor any animal sacrifices (as

mentioned in the Ramayana).

 

 

 

3. While I empathize with the motivation for such re-interpretations of literary

records, my own interest in history is more to appreciate whatever is grand and

glorious in our past and to understand the forces that might have given rise to

whatever was (from current perspectives) unpleasant and unconscionable in the

past, rather than to convince myself that there never was anything bad or

objectionable in the legacy of my ancestors. I take neither pride nor shame in

their deeds and achievements, though I may be moved to joy or sorrow upon

reading about them. I am unhappy about how my Brahmin ancestors treated those of

my shudra-cousins, but I take no responsibility for their acts. I am happy to be

able to read and appreciate the poet Kampan, but I take no pride in being a

Tamil, for that did not happen by my doing.

 

All I know is that in the past, as in the present, people are inspired to lofty

art, sublime music and beautiful literature when all is good around them, and

goaded to abominable acts when they assume attitudes of superiority with respect

to fellow humans, and/or inspired by ardent convictions of the superiority of

their own faith-system.

 

I also believe that until economic and social justice is established within and

among nations, there can be no universal peace and harmony in the world.

 

Best regards,

 

V. V. Raman

 

January 18, 2004

[Guest guest]

Hello

 

 

Bye