ௐ ॐ ఓం ഓം ଓଁ ੴ 唵 옴Om · @vaidhiy4v
2nd Nov 2016 from TwitLonger
Hinduism and Disabled, Disformed
Om
Is Hinduism biased against disabled, disformed.
My rebuttal to
http://thewire.in/71547/indian-mythology-problem-disability/
Often self recognized mutual admiration society of Indian intellectuals come up with their periodic ceremony of Hinduism bashing with their jaundiced misinterpretations of tradition, customs, sacred texts. Some do this bashing all over the year while some do it when they have nothing else to cause anarchy. Their most favourite sacred text to criticize is Manu Smriti the Dharma shastra (which can be called as 'rule book' in a crass translation) which unlike some desert terror manuals paves way for its own replacement with a more appropriate rule book in time. When bored of bashing Manu Smriti they turn to other texts and as there is no drought for sacred texts in Sanadhana Dharma, they have a lot to be perpetually angry about and to rebel against. They rebel even when they decide the agenda.and thus often against themselves. In the above linked article in wire.in an attempt is made to show Itihasas Mahabaratha, Ramayana and other Hindu texts as discriminatory against disabled.
Ram Ram the author of this article is a Martand 'Jha' and rebutting it wont be casteist attack on his 'freedom of expression' and a sign of 'intolerance'
It is not just the Indian left libtards who spew venom on Sanadhana Dharma. The Western experts, Indologists who are colleague for some of Indian left libtards while being master for rest of the libtard ilk spew the same venom worldwide.
Example:
http://infidels.org/library/modern/michael_moore/disabled.html
Let us see some of the most prominent disabled characters in Puranas, Itihasa, JNU accepted historical people and those who are alive with us today and how Sanadhana Dharma and Hinduism treats their disability, them.
Andhaka
The two most prominent and remembered characters who were visually impaired in Puranas, Itihasas are Dhritarashta and Andhakasura. Andhaka preceded Dhritarashta in chronology and preceds him alphabetically in Indic and European languages. So would like to start with Andhaka.
Son of Shiva, Parvati.
Born blind
Raised by Hiranyaksha. Had bad company grew as Asura.
Didnt learn value of satva life from cousin Prahalada (same Narasimha avatara wala Prahalada)
Did tapas got eyes as boon from Brahma. Also immense power.
Even Prahalada stepped aside as chief of Daityas to make Andhaka their chief.
Andhaka tried to abduct his mother Parvati to maker her his wife and was impaled by Shiva in war Andhaka started after multiple warnings from Shiva
Just because Andhaka was blind at one point of time, he wasnt chided by all. On success of his tapas, Prahalada, the greatest of Daityas (Krishna says in Bhagawat Gita that of Daityas he is Prahalada) stepped aside once he equipped himself and fought a reluctant, sure to fail battle against none other than Shiva. Yes Prahalada fought losing war under banner, orders of Andhaka. As a child his siblings, cousins mocked him but those who mattered more (Brahma, adult Prahalada) valued him. He got impaled due to his own behaviour in spite of divine birth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhaka
Shani
The most worshiped of navagrahas and he who gets more prayers than even some of his bosses is Shaneeshwara. While playing with his brother Yama he got injured and is lame. He got Eeshwara title. Full bias but in favour of him. Disabled, normal or even supernatural Yogis, siddhas, rishis, Brahma rishis all have respect for him, even YOU. Many tremble on utterance of his name. Nobody wants to be in his bad book. Need I say more?
Rahu, Ketu:
They were not disabled but one has devata like body and serpent head while other has serpent body and devata head. That is to be classified as dis formed. They are worshiped as part of navagraha and at times even individually. The navagraha kshetra in Tamil Nadu draw huge crowds from all over the world and Rahu, Ketu take more than their share for those who were Daityas by birth.
Jwarahareshwara
Jwarahareshwara form of Shiva is not disabled but has 3 legs. That falls under dis formed (Ashtavakra whom the author Marthand Jha has wrongly classified as disabled was actually disformed as per Mahabaratha). He is the form of Shiva one goes to in case of incurable fever (while medicines try their bio chemical part) and more. While Dhanvantari form of Vishnu is in charge of Ayurveda and Shiva as Vaidhyanatha (Bengal, Tamil Nadu) does his part as medic, Shiva as Jwarahareshwara does his part.
There is a shrine for Jwarahareshwara exactly at the back of Vaitheeshwara shrine in the famed Pulliruku Velur popularly known as Vaitheeshwaran kovil in Tamil Nadu. 2 sides of coin. Signifies his importance in health care
Manasa wife of Sage Jatakratu
Manasa wife of sage Jaratkaru and mother of the famed Astika who stopped Janamejaya's sarpa yagnya in Mahabaratha was blind in one eye. She is revered as a Goddess by many
Daksha:
Daksha Prajapati was beheaded and his head replaced with that of goat. He isnt worshipped and is seen negative light because of what he did before he got that head replacement. So he wasnt, isnt discriminated for being dis formed
Ganesha
He got his head replaced with elephant head and it is his uniqueness. Worship of Ganesha is greater than those mentioned above but elephant head of Ganesha has not just Puranic roots but him being Suguna Brahmam, he is vedic.
Hence I dont count Ganesha in disabled or dis formed. There are many aspects about his iconography, and the related philosophy. In my view Ganesha is beyond the scope for this topic.
However if counted as dis formed he tops any list of celebrated dis formed
Rishis, Munis, Acharyas
Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswati - 20th Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipati:
He was the son of one Vidyavati, an astrologer and astronomer. He was a congenital deaf-mute. But through the grace of Goddess Kamakshi he gained the power of speech. On knowing this attainment of speech by Mooka because of the grace of Devi, the then Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Vidyaghana, sent for the boy's parents and told them of his intention of giving sanyasa to the boy and, with their consent, gave sanyasa to the boy and ordained him as his successor in the Kamakoti Math. Vikramaditya Sakari of Ujjain, Matrugupta, some time king of Kashmir, and Pravarasena, who succeeded Matrugupta on the throne, all considered it a rare privilege to serve at the feet of this great Acharya. Muka Sankara is the author of Muka Panchasati, a lyrical outburst of poetry on Kamakshi, The mellifluence of the work is said to be rivaled only by Lila Suka's Krishna Karnamrta. He attained mukti at a village near Godavari on full moon day in the month of Sravana of the cyclic year Dhatu (437 AD).
Source: http://kamakoti.org/peeth/origin.html
In case one belongs to the group that says Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt isnt an Amnaya Peetam, would like to note that 'Mooka Panchasati' authored by this Kanchi Acharya is celebrated by the 4 Amnaya mutts Shrungeri, Dwaraka, Badri, Puri and their Acharyas whom they recognize. Some even claim that he was not Kanchi Peetathipadhi but none claims he wasnt mute.
Surdas
One of the greatest proponents of Bakthi movement in India was Surdas the famed author of Sur Sagar. He was blind. It didnt stop him from being the poster boy of Shuddhadvaita of Vallabhacharya, Vaishnavam. He is the foremost of Ashta Chaap of Vallabhacharya. His contribution to Hindi is immense. Hindi might not have been what it is but for him, his comrades and followers
Some may say these are matter of past. In present times the correct examples are not taken from Puranas, Itihasa and they are wrongly interpreted (Hindu right wingers blame Quran for alleged misinterpretation by Jihadis). Hence would like to give examples of disabled Sanadhana Dharma acharyas who have been with us till very recent times and those who are with us and guide us today.
SHRI JAGADGURU BADARI SHANKARACHARYA SAMSTHANAM, SHAKATAPURAM SHRIVIDYA PEETAM, Karnataka.
Jagadguru Shri Ramachandra Thirtha the 32nd acharya of Shakatapuram mutt was visually impaired. He was a great scholar of vedas, vedanga, Upanishads, Puranas, Itihasa and guru to many bakths who are alive today. Numerous bakhthas have seen many miracles being performed in their lives through him but he never tried to use his tapas to gain his own eyesight (Muka Shankarendra got eyesight by tapas before taking up sanyasa as given above).
His successor 33rd acharya Jagadguru Sri Vidyabhinava Sri Sri Krishnanada Thirtha is the current head of this mutt. (Before sickular left libtards ask) He isnt disabled or dis formed
http://shrividyapeetam.in/history.html
Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Ramabhadracharya
Jagadguru Shri Ramabhadracharya of Tulsi peeth in Chitrakoota, Madhya Pradesh lost his eye sight as a 2 month child. This did not stop him from being a walking University on Sanadhana Dharma, especially Ramayana, Ramacharitamanas. Of the numerous Rama bakhtas in India who know Valmiki, Tulsi Ramayana by each pada, it is this blind saint who was chosen to depose in Ayodhya Rama Janmabhoomi case. He has also started institutions for the disabled.
That is how Hinduism teaches disabled to help one another, Dharma and whole world in current world.
Wikipedia page on Swamiji
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambhadracharya
Shri Chakra Mahameru Peetam, Shri Sachchidananda Thirtha
Shri Sachchdananda Theertha, current acharya of Shri Chakra Mahameru Peetam, Bilaspur, Chattisgarh an Advaita Mutt had nearly 40% vision in earlier days but now has vision of not more than 8%. He can hardly see beyond a few inches (without using his divine vision). In his poorvashrama he had also excelled in Mc Aulay education and was a certified to practice as a Charted Accountant. He was identified for Bilaspur Mutt by none less than Kanchi Kamakoti 68th Peetathipadi, Mahaswami Shri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati.
Bakthas of the mutt havent deserted the acharya or Mutt on reduction of visibility and he had a good 2016 Chaturmasya in Mylapore, Chennai. He silently does a lot for society especially the poor in Chattisgarh
Fabebook page of Bilaspur Mutt
https://www.facebook.com/ShriChakraMahaMeruPeetham/
Mahabaratha, Ramayana, Baghavata and other Puranas
In the beginning of this piece includes disabled from Puranas. But they (Shani, Rahu, Ketu, Jwarahareshwara, Manasa) fall under devata and Asura in case of Andhaka (divine birth). The devatas may be worshiped due to fear or for lure of boons from them. What about disabled humans in Puranas leaving aside rishis, sanyasis?
The author Martand Jha in that wire.in article says discrimination towards disabled, dis formed are rooted in Puranas, Itihasa
Manthra
Manthra had a hunchback and was wicked. No one says all disabled are bad just like none says all able people are good. Valmiki is the source from which all other Ramayana including Ramacharitamanas, Kamban's Ramakaadai (Tamizh)... seek their inspiration. There is no verse in Valmiki Ramayana as far as I have searched which says Rama hurt Manthra as a child for which she sought petty vengeance during his coronation, decades later. I would love to be corrected.
Online Valmiki Ramayana:
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/
Trivakra
Certainly Krishna was very cruel to people with disabilities like Trivakra as cited in Bhagavata Purana. He straightened her hunchback spine in spite of her not being as well read, wise as Ashtavakra. There was nothing extra ordinary about Trivakra other than her manners and love for Krishna.
https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/10/42
http://bhagavata.org/canto10/chapter42.html#Text%207
Muchukunda:
Muchukunda was not disabled but dis formed. In his previous birth he asked for monkey face if he would have next birth so that he doesnt loose his bakthi. He was one of the greatest kings and even fought against asuras to defend Devas. Indra felt and specified that he was deeply indebted to Muchukunda. He was respected, loved for defending Dharma, Devas and for his unflinching Bakthi which is recognized in words by none other than Krishna Paramathma in Baghavata Purana. Muchukunda asked for moksha and Krishna guided him.
http://bhagavata.org/canto10/chapter51.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muchukunda
Ashtavakra
Ashtavakra was not disabled but dis formed. He was, is celebrated as one of the greatest gnyanis of all time. The ignorant who tried to ridicule him fell at his feet in reverence once he started talking.
Dhritarashta
Having discussed other disabled, dis formed characters, significant Hindus of past, present let us focus on the main character, Dhritarashta. Undoubtedly he is the most known, remembered instance of disabled character/ person associated with Hinduism
Its true that Dhritarashta didnt have 1 of the 5 gnyanendriyas, vision. He couldnt have defended himself from assassins like he would do with vision. It is sad but Vidura was correct. Dharma (the purushartha, not religion) and the kingdom of Hastinapur was more important than 1 individual, Dhritarashta. Does a Dhritarashta sympathizer expect him to be a glorified prisoner inside a palace, 5100 years ago while Pandu virtually ran the kingdom? Puppet king? Senapati being more powerful than king is a dangerous proposition (think of Pakistan).
'Pandu was good. He wouldnt have betrayed Dhritarashta': There is much more than that to Dharma paripalana. It is not like governments and administration we see now in Kaliyug.
Vidura was correct
On Pandu abdicating throne Dhritharashta wasnt made king. He was made King (Regent). There is a clear difference between the two. Any day a son of Pandu returns, Dhritarashta had to step down for the nephew. He was only a representative in place for Pandu to represent the royal family while the actual administration was done by Bishma and Vidura. Bishma was the actual ruler till Sabha Parva where Duryodhana showed he was a grown up prince. Balance of power shifted from Bishma - Vidura to Duryodhana- Shakuni- Karna in Hastinapur terms and Dhritharashta was no better than a rubber stamp (thus Duryodhana was never the rightful heir. Moreover Yudhishtra was the elder prince). Gandhari was a bigger power center than Dhritarashta as her tying the cloth to cover her eyes was a choice, Bishma & Vidura cherished her as kula vadhu. Shakuni drew his power from Gandhari and it was through that and growth of Duryodhana in age, influence he supplanted Bishma - Vidura power center in Sabha parva. Dhritarashta was never a full independent king in his life. {Not yet blaming Dhritarashta for Sabha parva, Kurukshetra war. We are still in Sambhava Upaparva of Adi Parva discussing that Dhritarashta wasnt a full king, only a King (Regent). Many dont know the difference or they conveniently avoid it}
It was not Duryodhana's malice that crept into Dhritarashta. Gandhari was jealous of Kunti giving birth to a son before she did and that son being the natural heir to Kuru vamsha legacy and Hastinapur throne. Instead of guiding Gandhari in testing times Dhritarashta impregnated a Vaishya woman attendee with a child who would be named Yuyutsu (It was normal then. But when sickular left libtards use current secularized Christian - European moral standards for 5100 old Vidura same standards can be sought of Dhritarashta too).
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm
It was Gandhari misusing her status as princess (she wasnt a full queen as her husband Dhritarashta wasnt a full king) and affection of Bhisma, Vyasa, Vidura and her considering self as full Queen that led to Shakuni (another disabled - lame) posing his nose too much and the events leading upto causing the Kurukshetra war.
Contrary to the claims of Marthand Jha, Dhritarashta - Gandhari couple crossed their limit much before Duryodhana was born.
Since Jha doesnt even try to defend actions of Dhritarasta after birth of Duryodhana and accepts that Dhritarashta is rightly blamed, we too would can fast forward. We need not discuss all remaining chapters of Mahabaratha.
When Pandu died, all 5 Pandavas, 101 sons of Dhritarashta and his daughter were born. On Pandu's death Dhritarashta became King(Regent) for Yudhishtra while he thought he became full king who was helped by uncle Bishma and brother- minister Vidura. As soon as Kunti returned with Pandavas, Dhritarashta should have stepped down for Yudhistra's coronation. It was delayed for his education because it was a family.
Dhritarashta loses respect with Jatu griha dahana Upa parva of Adi Parva. "He didnt know". Then he was incompetent as it was his business to know and all that happened under his nose. He loses much more respect with division of kingdom for which he had no authority. Bishma - Vidura were reluctant participants. Yet guilty.
Sabha Parva.!
Period
Dhritarashta loses any respect, sympathy in Sabha Parva. Almost all who know of Mahabaratha would agree.
Vana, Virata Parva
Dhritarashta isnt getting any saner, better. Only deteriorates.
Udyoga Parva:
Most would end this discussion with Sabha Parva as Dhritarashta is undefendable there and henceforth. Yet we shall continue.
Sainyodyoga Upa Parva
Hastinapur army was never property of Dhritarashta, Duryodhana to command. Speaking of alliances with others come only later.
Sanjaya-yana Upa Parva
Dhritarashta over stepped his authority in dismissing Drupada's envoy. He bad mouths about Yudhishthira. But its nothing compared to what he did earlier.
Prajagara Upa Parva
Vidurneeti discussion shows Dhritarashta was not completely unwise common man. His arguments are intelligent and he accepts almost all advice of Vidura in concept as Dharma but never implements it. Steep fall after Sabha Parva.
Sanatsujata Upa Parva
Dhritarashta didnt even deserve hearing about Sanatsujata but the sage himself visited Dhritarashta and advised against war.
Yanasandhi Upa Parva
Out of fear for his sons, Pandava army size and advices, Dhritarashta slightly budged but is powerless in front of Duryodhana
Bhagavat-yana Upa Parva
Trying to imprison Krishna, ridiculing him was too much. However doing it after Krishna shows his divine form was ridiculous and abject stupidity. Dhritarashta lost the last chance to save Hastinapur and his lineage. Also ignoring Kanwa, Narada.
There is nothing much to say in defense of Dhritharashta beyond Udyoga Parva. Before the war starts even his own father the great sage Vyasa begs him to avoid war.
Counting all actions of Dhritarashta and over ruling their high negative quotient, Krishna even showed him the Divya darshana. Something Dhritarashta wasnt worthy of. Many sadhaks, sadhus, tapasvis who were far greater in character than Dhritarashta in last 5100 years of kaliyug have been ready to lose their eyesight, even life if at all the last thing they would see is that darshan Krishna gave. Dhritarashta couldnt bargain for a better deal for what he was and what he did. Only he is to be blamed for destruction of his kula.
Instead of trying to correct Hinduism, Sanadhana, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist sacred texts and practices the leftist libtard intellectuals will do a great service to themselves, fellow humans and all living beings by correcting themselves and let of the long dead, highly decomposed horse named Communism
A good rebuttal to the same Martand Jha hit job by @Dimple_kaul
Read
http://www.dimplehere.com/jnuisation-of-hindu-mythology/
Om
@thewire_in