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INDIA
A Search for - Our Present in History
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Introduction
The intriguing title of this book represents a novel approach to the study of present society looked upon as a result of history. This approach 'stands on its head' the conventional approach to the study of history which begins with the dim past and comes to the present as a conclusion. Our approach starts with social institut ions and practices of the contemporary age and traces their origin and development to the historic past.
With this approach the reader does not feel lost on 'She opening page of a history bock. He is not confronted with a society in which lived his ancestors two or three thousand years ago. He begins with the society surrounding him, which is of his immediate concern. This method of interpreting the present and past should establish an intimate rapport between a citizen of today and the heritage bequeated to him by earlier generations. In our lifestyle, customs, traditions, beliefs; our history is reflected but it is normally beyond our perception. It would be a fascinating and enlightening experience to trace the origins of things we see and do today in the bygone ages. As a citizen of India can one answer questions like :
1) Why have Indians always attached more importance to Non-violence (Ahimsa) than any other people ?
2) How did vegetaranism become nearly an all pervading attitude in India from ancient times ?
3) How is it that the cow (Gomata) and bull (Nandi) have come to acquire an exalted place in our religious pantheon ?
4) How was the practice of charity (Dana) elevated to - the status of a religious offering ?
5) Why do we propitiate the elementals, especially fire ( in Yagna ) to usher in prosperity ?
6) How did our insistence on performing events such as marriage, thread ceremony, opening ceremony, etc., at a certain auspicious time (Muhurta) come into being ?
7) How did the practice of observing fast (Upavasa) originate and what could be the motive behind fasting and other practices like walking over hot coals, puncturing parts of one's body or tonsuring one's head
8) What purpose did the ideas like Moksha and Nirvana (release from the cycle of re-birth) serve in Indian society and how did they come into being ?
9) What is the forgotten meaning behind our religious symbols like Swastika and Omkar ?
10) What does the vermilion mark that we traditionally apply on our forehead (Tilaka) and our method of greeting each other with folded hands (Namaskara) signify ?
Author : Shri Sudheer Birodkar
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