Ramananda Sengupta is one hundred percent correct. The articles dealing with minority rights and protection should be deleted from the Constitution and other laws. These should be replaced by human rights provisions. No subsidy for any religious activity, nor state take over or administration of temples and other places of worship. All temples and religious places of worship should be got registered as Trusts and these should be under surveillance only to the extent that the public funds are not misused by the Trusts. Prayers on public roads causing inconvenience to the public should be banned, offenders to be visited with severe penalties.
RE:Secularism
by vinamra on Aug 28, 2005 04:42 PM Permalink
Revati also embracing the corpse of Rama, entered the blazing pile, which was cool to her, happy in contact with her lord. Hearing these events, Ugrasena and Anakadundubhi, with Devaki and Rohini, committed themselves to the flames."
The abundant observations by ancient travellers testifies to the ubiquity of the practice and the ruthless rigour with which it was enforced. Alexander the Great and the Greeks observed Sati in Punjab [ Onescrites in Strabo xv.i.ch 30 ] [ Barth 59 ]. The Greek Diodorus Siculus who lived in the 1st century BC, mentioned the practice of sati in his account of the Punjab in the 4th century BC [ EB 11:421 ]. Indigenous historical evidence substantiates this, for
` The earliest recorded historical instance of sati is that of the wife of the Hindu general Keteus, who died in 316 B.C. while fighting against Antigonos. Both his wives were eager to perform sati, but as the elder one was with child, only the younger one alone was allowed to carry out her wish.' -- [Sheth 104]
There are many historical sources through ancient travellers which shows the existence of Sati System in the ancient india.
RE:Secularism
by vinamra on Aug 28, 2005 04:43 PM Permalink
I would also like to point out that Mahavira and Buddha was against this system 2500yrs back as mentioned in Jain books. This is correct also that both the religious sect never done anything to stop it.
RE:Secularism
by jugsingh on Aug 27, 2005 12:49 PM Permalink
by that logic there should be no crowd at fairs and festivals and govt. have no business to regulate religious crowds.being religious is not being unsecular.the word was always applicable to state ,not individuals.what suits us is a different matter.jug
RE:Secularism
by Yashendra on Aug 27, 2005 03:43 PM Permalink
Sati has nothing to do with Indian civilization which we loosely refer to as Hinduism. When Muslim invaders attacked India and started raping our women, some brave women preferred to burn themselves in pyre. As the widows, left unguarded, were vulnearbale to attacks of the Muslims, they started jumping into the funeral pyres of their husbands. Gradually, some ignorant people started forcing even the un-willing women. It was a horrble thing.
Does anyone has the guts to quote anything for ancient Indian scriptures which supports Sati ? In fact Sati is a term associated with "Sat" or truth. The women who who follow the righteous path are known as Sati. And the male counterparts r knows as Satpurush.
English-educated journalists or followers of pervert Commuinists have NO knowledge about India and its Super science of life. Its a matter of Shame !
RE:Secularism
by vinamra on Aug 28, 2005 04:40 PM Permalink
SATI is a very old custom
Rig Veda X.18.7 : " Let these women, whose husbands are worthy and are living, enter the house with ghee (applied) as corrylium ( to their eyes). Let these wives first step into the pyre, tearless without any affliction and well adorned." -- [ Rig Veda X.18.7 ]
Vishnu Smirti.XXV.14 : "If a woman's husband dies, let her lead a life of chastity, or else mount his pyre"
Brahma Purana.80.75 : " It is the highest duty of the woman to immolate herself after her husband ",
Brahma Purana.80.76, 80.77 : " She [ the sati ] lives with her husband in heaven for as many years as there are pores in the human body, ie. for 35 million years. "
Several of Krishna's wives performed sati upon his death, including Rukmini, Rohini, Devaki, Bhadraa and Madura [ Mah.Bhar. Mausalaparvan 7.18 ]
Madri, second wife of Pandu, considered an incarnation of the goddess Dhriti, performed sati [ Mah.Bhar. Adiparvan 95.65 ]
Vishnu Purana.V.38 : " The 8 queens of Krishna, who have been named, with Rukmini at their head, embraced the body of Hari, and entered the funeral fire.
