[MD] Bharata Dharma

[Akshay Peshwe]

I can't say that that's the best explanation. But, for a Western account of
Indian tradition (especially considering that the author, Sir John
Woodroffe, in his time would have naturally faced implicit opposition from
his colleagues and seniors for his discoveries), I think that that would be
among the best. I must commend Woodroffe's efforts considering his context.
However, in terms of accuracy, I wouldn't quite recommend him (because
you're making a sort of compromise by settling on his work), unless of
course you don't trust a non-Western author. I'd also like to add that there
are a lot of "swamis" who've settled in the US to "spread the dharma", but
you need to be wary of them. I'm not saying they're out to trick you or
something (buy their herbal medicine products etc.), but their diction can
sometimes be unjustified (because they are after all still only translating
texts) and that can make you think that Aryadharma is not worth your
time/efforts (refer to the examples I've listed below). I recommend reading
Swami Vivekananda's works for a good introduction.

The best explanation in my opinion would be reading the original texts (like
the Mahabharata) in Sanskrit, because most (if not all) translations always
make mistakes. The reader's frankness and curiosity is also naturally
important.

Let me give an example of how a simple text like the Bhagavad Gita can be
mistranslated by a scholar like Sri Aurobindo who is highly respected in
India and especially in the West. In his translation, he translates the
Sanskrit words "iccha" and "kama" as plain "desire", which is simply not
correct. The word "iccha" is simply a normal word, implying
wishing/hoping/aspiring or simply expressing tendency; however, the word
"kama" signifies passion (i.e., aspiring for sensual pleasures). So you'll
see in his translation that Krsna on one hand tells you to "free your soul
from desire" and then "I desire that you attain to highest wisdom". That's
clearly a mistranslation, although perhaps an insignificant one.

Here's another example, this time a massive mistake on the part of
translators. In most Hindu texts, the deity (like Krsna) advises us not to
commit "paap", which is translated as "sin" into English. However, this is
simply not correct. The word "paap" comes from Sanskrit root "pat" (=to
fall). Hence, "paap" is that which lowers your soul, not "sin", because
"sin" can be interpreted as something forbidden by authoritarian imposition.

Akshay

On 08/11/2007, MarshaV <marshalz at charter.net> wrote:
>
>
> Akshay,
>
> I have found this website, and have read Chapter One: Indian Religion
> As Bharata Dharma.  It was written by Arthur Avalon (Sir John
> Woodroffe) in 1918.  Is it the best explanation?  I once before tried
> very hard to understand this philosophy, but had great difficulty
> with the language and concepts.
>
> http://www.sacred-texts.com/tantra/sas/sas01.htm
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Marsha
>
>
>
>
> Moq_Discuss mailing list
> Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc.
> http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org
> Archives:
> http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/
> http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
>