1. If the affidavit says that there is no historical evidence that Ram existed I don't think Hindus should get offended. Just as if someone says thee is no historical evidence that Adam existed, or that Moses parted the Red Sea, no Christian need get offended. These are maters of faith. But The ASI can say or any international scientific body can say that there is no historical evidence of it, they would be perfectly justified. In fact if they are doing there job right they must assert the truth, ASI is not thee to respect faiths.
2. But there was no need to put the line in the affidavit, because the issue was not whether Ram existed, but whether Ram Setu was manmade. And thee is no scientific evidence to show that it is man made.
1. Just because images of Ram, Sita and Hanuman are thee in the constitution and just because Gandhi talked of Ramrajya does not mean that Ram existed historically. An idealized fictional character or a myth can be very well be a source of inspiration.
3. We Hindus are not as dumb as the Bible belt Christians who believe that the Bible is literally true and the world was created in 7 days and so on. We can believe in Ram, Krishna, Parsuram and the thirty-three crore gods, but are not stupid enough to think that they literally existed in a historical context. WE have more power of imagination than that.
4. People have mentioned Christ and Mohammed. Well, they were historical characters, just like Buddha and Mahavira, but all myths circulating a
RE:HIndus are wiser
by avinash b on Sep 14, 2007 04:41 PM Permalink
who can claim the works of ram..the ASI is very small to talk and interpret the philosophy of hindu religion.god made things are not man made as he is not a man....better correct and do not say the things that are beyond the interpretation of science...and make 100 % sure while saying the abiguous words .....
RE:RE:HIndus are wiser
by shrikant kale on Sep 14, 2007 04:19 PM Permalink
Mr Mohanti, tell me one thing why for centuries together croes of people in this country are celebrating the birthdates/tithi ? It is logical to think that corees of people for generations together would celebrate imaginary birth dates of imaginary characters in imaginary epic ? Has it happend anywhere in the world ? be logical,,ramayan is a hitorical epic.
RE:HIndus are wiser
by Utkal Mohanty on Sep 14, 2007 04:49 PM Permalink
People celebrate Santoshi Brata, so Santoshi maa is a historical character is it? What is wrong with celebrating the birthday of an imaginary character if that imaginary character embodies certain ideals and lives in the hearts of peole as a real character?
RE:RE:RE:HIndus are wiser
by Utkal Mohanty on Sep 14, 2007 04:55 PM Permalink
Everywhere in the world people worship imaginary gods, dream of imaginary heaven and hell, what;s so surprising about it. In the words of Ghalib: Humko malum hai zannat ki haqueeqat, lekin dil ko khush rakhne ke liye khayal achha hai. Bilions believe in Zannat and hundreds blow themselves up believing that they will go to heaven. That does not mean heaven with beautiful houries and cool fountains exist. Belief and faith has nothing to do with truth.
