| But the present
Renaissance differs from those that preceded it in several respects. Firstly, India is no
longer isolated from the world. The political and social forces that are moving the minds
of men in Europe and America are reaching Indian shores also and they cannot be ignored.
The future of Hinduism as well as of India will largely depend on the reaction we offer to
them. Some of these, of course, are not so new to us as they seem to be at first sight.
For instance, the passion for experiment and liberty of thought and distrust of authority,
which are supposed to be the characteristics of modern science and modern criticism are
implicit in all Indian philosophy. They are
principles forgotten indeed by us, but no unknown to us. Hinduism with its instinct
for growth is already adjusting itself to the new conditions. The ideals of the Brahma
Samaj and Arya Samaj, which were once considered to be revolutionary and heterodox, are no
longer considered so by a majority of Hindus. Secondly, there is no longer a Hindu State
to foster and encourage the present Renaissance, as there was in the early periods of our
history. The State now is, neither Hindu nor Muslim, neither Buddhist nor Christian, but
Indian. |
