About the Book This book is about the great contribution made by the so-called low castes, presently called Dalits, to the Hindu Religion in spiritual, social and political fields in all period of Indian history. In the chapter 'Aryan Gods Versus Caste' the author has brought out in detail as to how Lord Rama, Krishna and Shiva laid the ideals of liberal society free from rigidity of castes and other man-made distinctions, the teachings of Lord Krishna having the basis of caste as one's guna and karma. The author traces the present rigid structure of Hindu Caste to the period of Manusmriti and other Smrities after 2nd century AD, though the period of mass untouchability is given as 18th and 19th century AD, which came as a result of several famines and consequent extreme poverty. The treatment of the book is on modern scientific lines dipped in spirituality, as preached by Swami Vivekananda. While highlighting the plight of Dalits in the past and present period, the author has not lost sight of whatever is good and grand in Hindu philosophy.
About the Author Mahendra Singh, Chief Engineer (Retd.) from Central Public Works Department, Government of India has passed out brilliantly in engineering degree and became an officer of Indian Engineering Services. He contributed several papers for National and International Seminars on technical and Departmental matters. He handled several prestigious projects successfully drawing high degree of appreciations from the Govt. Authorities. He was in the news of National Media and Parliament (Questions) for resisting with his life the mafia attack on him, launched on behalf of the swindlers of public funds, due to his rendering the public service uncompromisingly.
Foreword The author of this book is to be congratulated for venturing into an uncharted territory, writing neither for nor against, but churning out the essence of, Hinduism and depicting it as the Guru of the world for the universality of its spiritual ideas. Since time immemorial, India had been the land of spiritual wisdom for its own people as well as for seekers from all over the world. Relevant materials are coming to light to prove that Jesus Christ lived in India for sometime towards the end of his life time. The teaching imparted by Greek philosopher Socrates (469 399 B.C.) on the immortality of soul and reincarnation, tallied with that of Hindus, but not with that of Greeks, for which he had to pay with his life.
Preface The Hindu Society is divided into innumerable castes under four basic Varnas, i.e., Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudras. The first three Varnas form Dwija or the twice-born class having right to various religious sacraments in varying degrees. The last Varna ie Shudra forms the service class who have limited rights in religious and social matters, bulk of it forming the 'Untouchables' class as lower Shudras. Due to discrimination against them, the Shudra class have struggled and are struggling against the tyranny of higher castes, some going to the extent of denouncing the Hindu religion itself. Strange are the ways of Providence that despite the efforts of separation by some Shudras and suppression by Dwijas, the bond of lower Shudras with Hindu religion remains unbreakable.
Introduction The purpose of this book is to bring out as to what a Dalit inherits in Hindu religion of the contribution made by his forefathers or of the teachings contained in the scriptures. This may show them that they inherit a great spiritual treasure, which is so necessary today to balance materialistic mind-set. It is true that due to severe distortions in Hindu religion in the past, he inherits presently his social ostracization too. All chapters of this book except the one on Hindu philosophy (Basic Tenets...), bring out either directly or indirectly, the role played by sages, kings and people of the so-called low castes in enriching the Hindu Dharma-which term includes Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs, as per Constitution of India.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
