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Nithin Sridhar
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I will pen-down my comments and opinions on various social issues under the title "Society & One-Legged Dharma" pointing out how most of the ills of the society has been caused due to forsaking of Dharma by people. In Hindu scriptures, the Dharma represented by a Bull is said to stand on four legs in Satya Yuga, when most people practiced and lived life by Dharma. "Four-Legs" denotes that Dharma was firmly established in society. On the other hand, it is said that,in Kali Yuga, Dharma stands only on One-Leg. We have been witnessing this in our society, where qualities like truth, non-violence, compassion, honesty have lost their value and replaced by untruth, deviousness, corruption, violence etc.
The series of writings under this title is my humble attempt to revive Dharma by making people become aware of them.
-Nithin Sridhar
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The News report:
The defense lawyer in the Delhi's Jyoti Gang Rape case says- "Why don't people first control their daughters? I'd burn my daughter alive if she was having pre-marital sex,roaming around with her boyfriend at night".
Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/feature/why-dont-people-first-control-their-daughters-defence-lawyer-ap-singh-1305215.html
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My Comments:
Every time, any issue regarding women comes into picture, these so called proponents of culture and tradition ask for 'controlling daughters/sisters/wives' etc.
My question to these people is-What culture are these people talking about?
This is not Hindu culture, this is not Sanatana Dharma.
The most basic tenets of Dharma prescribed in scriptures is Ahimsa- Non-Violence. Ahimsa is not just non-violence but also forbearance/titaksha. One must practice Ahimsa at the level of body,mind and speech. A person, should not only not hurt others physically for his selfish or other motives rooted in ajnana and adharma, but he should also not think or speak about harming others.
A person who speaks of burning his daughter, what tenets of Dharma is he following? What purpose of Dharma will be achieve by burning his daughter? He has no moral, ethical, legal and Dharmic right to take away anybodies life, just because they wish to live their life in their own way.
Our scriptures speak about Gandharva marriage/Love marriage, if two people are involved in a mature love relationship, then it is definitely not Adharma. Even if a couple is involved in a sexual relationship as a time-pass or in a casual way, even then, the father has no right to take her life. The most the father or mother is entitled to do is to make children understand. But, ultimately,once a child has grown up, he/she is responsible for his/her actions.
Neither having boyfriend, nor pre-marital sex in a relationship nor roaming at night is Adharma. This does not mean that Hindu scriptures suggest sexual recklessness. Along with Ahimsa, Hindu scriptures also prescribe "Indriya Nigraha"-control of mind and senses. But, Indriya Nigraha does not mean, one should not have relationship or anything. It only means, that any relationship must be based on deep love and not sensual attractions alone. The failure to understand the thin line between the two has caused modern twisted understanding of culture and tradition.
Further, daughters are not parents property. In fact no person is anybody's property. Hindu scriptures say that, the homes where women are not respected, there even gods dont dwell. So, what respect are we showing by burning our daughters/killing them just because they dared to love? The issue should never be that whether women should have relationship or not, nor should the issue be whether women should go out at night or not. The issue should be,how well can we, as a society ensure that they have full freedom and safety to live their lives.
If people, really want to live by culture and dharma, they must start practicing tenets like Satya,Ahimsa and Indriya Nigraha and stop these fake posturings rooted in prejudice and ignorance.
Nithin Sridhar
____________________
I will pen-down my comments and opinions on various social issues under the title "Society & One-Legged Dharma" pointing out how most of the ills of the society has been caused due to forsaking of Dharma by people. In Hindu scriptures, the Dharma represented by a Bull is said to stand on four legs in Satya Yuga, when most people practiced and lived life by Dharma. "Four-Legs" denotes that Dharma was firmly established in society. On the other hand, it is said that,in Kali Yuga, Dharma stands only on One-Leg. We have been witnessing this in our society, where qualities like truth, non-violence, compassion, honesty have lost their value and replaced by untruth, deviousness, corruption, violence etc.
The series of writings under this title is my humble attempt to revive Dharma by making people become aware of them.
-Nithin Sridhar
______________________________________________________________
The News report:
The defense lawyer in the Delhi's Jyoti Gang Rape case says- "Why don't people first control their daughters? I'd burn my daughter alive if she was having pre-marital sex,roaming around with her boyfriend at night".
Read more at: http://news.oneindia.in/feature/why-dont-people-first-control-their-daughters-defence-lawyer-ap-singh-1305215.html
________________
My Comments:
Every time, any issue regarding women comes into picture, these so called proponents of culture and tradition ask for 'controlling daughters/sisters/wives' etc.
My question to these people is-What culture are these people talking about?
This is not Hindu culture, this is not Sanatana Dharma.
The most basic tenets of Dharma prescribed in scriptures is Ahimsa- Non-Violence. Ahimsa is not just non-violence but also forbearance/titaksha. One must practice Ahimsa at the level of body,mind and speech. A person, should not only not hurt others physically for his selfish or other motives rooted in ajnana and adharma, but he should also not think or speak about harming others.
A person who speaks of burning his daughter, what tenets of Dharma is he following? What purpose of Dharma will be achieve by burning his daughter? He has no moral, ethical, legal and Dharmic right to take away anybodies life, just because they wish to live their life in their own way.
Our scriptures speak about Gandharva marriage/Love marriage, if two people are involved in a mature love relationship, then it is definitely not Adharma. Even if a couple is involved in a sexual relationship as a time-pass or in a casual way, even then, the father has no right to take her life. The most the father or mother is entitled to do is to make children understand. But, ultimately,once a child has grown up, he/she is responsible for his/her actions.
Neither having boyfriend, nor pre-marital sex in a relationship nor roaming at night is Adharma. This does not mean that Hindu scriptures suggest sexual recklessness. Along with Ahimsa, Hindu scriptures also prescribe "Indriya Nigraha"-control of mind and senses. But, Indriya Nigraha does not mean, one should not have relationship or anything. It only means, that any relationship must be based on deep love and not sensual attractions alone. The failure to understand the thin line between the two has caused modern twisted understanding of culture and tradition.
Further, daughters are not parents property. In fact no person is anybody's property. Hindu scriptures say that, the homes where women are not respected, there even gods dont dwell. So, what respect are we showing by burning our daughters/killing them just because they dared to love? The issue should never be that whether women should have relationship or not, nor should the issue be whether women should go out at night or not. The issue should be,how well can we, as a society ensure that they have full freedom and safety to live their lives.
If people, really want to live by culture and dharma, they must start practicing tenets like Satya,Ahimsa and Indriya Nigraha and stop these fake posturings rooted in prejudice and ignorance.
