India's Current Rape Case

One of the meetings during the last semester was entitled "The Role of Women in Hinduism". The following is  the meeting blurb:

Women in Hinduism are traditionally regarded as ideal in terms of remaining pure and chaste. They must continue to live up to this expectation while being dutiful, as a daughter, wife and mother. However, the once consecrated role of women has changed over time, and it is continuing to do so. This meeting will present significant women from various Hindu texts and mythology, as well as explore the modern day definition of women’s roles and determine whether they still fit their paradigm.

There is a book called "Manusmiriti", a story of Manu, which is similar to Noah's Ark. In the book the king says "The deities delight in places where women are revered, but where women are not revered all rites are fruitless. Where women of the family are miserable, the family is soon destroyed". There are many many goddesses within Hinduism, a few to list are: Parvati, Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Sita, and Radha. Hindu scriptures say that Durga came to kill the asuras or demons. Male gods had failed to control the demons and she was created. She had the powers of all the male gods combined. Saraswati is the goddess of speech and learning, of the science, arts and music. Lakshmi is considered the epitome of everything good and prosperous in the world. 

Now consider the current rape case in India, which became international news within weeks. A women and her friend boarded a bus after a movie. She was raped and beaten by a group of men, and her friend was knocked unconscious as well. They were both thrown from a moving bus, and she died in a hospital from extreme internal damage and organ failure. 

Even know some of the goddesses of Hinduism are portrayed as "the perfect and obedient wife", they still portray the importance of women. This brings up the question: If women are so worshiped and praised in Hinduism, why are they treated so badly in Indian culture? 

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This post serves as something to think about, we are not pushing feminism or any other political concept on anyone. Thank you

Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

A 20 year old man killed 26 people, 20 of them children between the ages of 5-10, in an attack in an elementary school in Connecticut on Friday. 

HSA is in no way a credible news source, but the events that look place yesterday, 12/14/2012, should be recognized.

I was shopping in a local shopping mall last night, and children were running happily, enjoying themselves around a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. I still cannot wrap my mind around how a man could divorce empathy to the point of killing innocent children, who have their whole lives ahead of them. Another shock to me was that the man was 20 years old, the same age a majority of college students. 

The number one fear for parents is to lose their child, no matter what age. Take some time to pray for the families who lost their children in this event. Take a moment to appreciate the fact that you are alive, healthy, and well. 

Saraswati Mantra

Its exam season! Discussing goddess Saraswati seems fitting for many students right now. Good look studying and on exams everyone!

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and all the creative arts. Saraswati is called the Mother of the Veda's and the repository of Brahma's creative intelligence. For most Indian artists, all art and all new art traditions originate with Saraswati. In order to create the world and produce the human ace, Brahma made a goddess out of himself. One half was woman and the other half was a man. Brahma called the woman Gayatri, but she also became known by many other names such as Saraswati. 

Dressed in white, Saraswati holds a mala and a palmleaf scroll, indicating knowledge. Students worship Saraswati to perform well in exams. This mantra of Sarawasti can be recited daily to improve memory, power, and concentration in studies: 

Saraswati Namasthubhyam

Varade Kamarupini

Vidhyarambam Karishyami

Siddhir Bavathume Sadha 

Please note that this is only one depiction of Goddess Saraswati, and that HSA is not forcing any kind of opinions. Hinduism is  broad religion, and we are open to new information from everyone :) 

Bhagavad Gita Quote

"You must learn to endure fleeting things, they come and go!"

-Bhagavad Gita 2:14

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I really enjoy this quote, because its so simple. Everyone has gone through difficult times. When it happens it's as if the world stops in our own lives, and we don't want to believe that life still continues. Enduring hardship can be extremely difficult, but it can be done!

That is just one interpretation, hope to hear some more soon!

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 11

Apart from posts about what is discussed at our meetings, there are also going to be quotes from various texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Vedas, Upanishads etc, 2-3 times a week. The quotes are there for everyone to reflect on the meaning, sometimes very literal and sometimes not.

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"Out of compassion for them, I, lodged in their self, lift the blazing lamp of knowledge and destroy the darkness which is born of the ignorance."

-Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 11

Threats to Hinduism

In our modern, Westernized age, Hinduism seems to dilute further as each generation comes and goes. But why exactly does this occur? Is there no way in which we can act to prevent such dissolution of an entire history's worth of beliefs and values? What exactly is it that could pose such dangers to an entire faith?

To be completely honest, I fear the future of Hinduism. I have not learned nearly as much as my parents, who have not learned nearly as much as their parents, etc etc. Living in the United States, it has been difficult for us as students to receive information about our faith. 

 Diversity of Hinduism is both a strength and weakness. It creates a lot of confusion in the minds of people, as to which path to follow, whom to worship and what to practice. We have many scriptures and teachings of countless gurus and traditions and do not know what to study. A vast majority of Hindus therefore practice popular religion because it is easier to do. Most of us go to temples, follow a religious guru, his or her teachings, do some puja at home, believe in some kind of practices and superstitions, but are hardly well versed. 

Another aspect, is the lack of a conversion process within Hinduism. Apart from the radicals, that are apparent in any religion, Hinduism is open to many different ideas. Some of the older texts themselves contradict each other. There is not formal process of converting people from outside religions into Hinduism. However, other religions who do have a conversion process have converted many Hindus to different practices. 

Do you think the lack of a conversion process will hurt Hinduism in the future?
Do you think Hinduism is under any threat at all? 
What are your thoughts on the future of Hinduism? 

Welcome to the HSA Blog!

Namaste everyone,

The Hindu Students Association at UT Austin welcomes you to our new blog! On this blog we will be posting discussions from our weekly meetings. During meetings there are certain individuals who go above and beyond and would like to continue discussion outside of the meetings. This is a forum for you as a user to come and write your thoughts and share ideas with other individuals.

Thank You,

UT Austin HSA