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Why would an
American dedicate himself to studying the ancient Vedas of India ? And how could an
American, coming from a totally different cultural background, find deep affinity with the
Vedic teachings, which most Hindus today themselves can't even relate to ? How did such a
person get started in studying the Vedas ? In the modern world everyone, including Hindus,
appears to be trying to adopt Western culture with its scientific and technological
advances and economic affluence. Why would a person
go in the other direction and look to the East, particularly when it was not a matter of
academic study, nor did it promise any material reward ? As I have written many
books and articles on the Vedas and travelled through America and India over the past few
years promoting Vedic knowledge, I am often asked such questions, particularly by Hindus
in India or Indo-Americans, who usually do not have the time and are lacking in the
motivation to examine their own tradition. |
