|
The related terms "myth", "mythology", "mythological", etc., have had an
interesting history and a very pointed polemic use. That the terms are rife with
very negative connotations is doubted by very few. The way the terms are used
today both within academia, as well as by the general public, is to denote
something which is untrue, false, "primitive" (i.e., not European), a lie. Just
the other day during a visit to the dentist's office, I saw a pamphlet on the
table called "The Myths About Sexually Transmitted Diseases". The ultimate
question that we, as followers of Sanatana Dharma, all need to ask ourselves is do we really
want such powerfully negative terms also associated with the sacred stories,
teachings and history of Sanatana Dharma?
Polemically speaking, one culture's "myth" is another culture's sacred
history...and visa versa. The academic field of the study of "mythological"
literature was started by 18th century European Classicists who took their
misconceptions about their own Greco-Roman pre-Christian religious and cultural
heritage and attempted to apply them to all contemporary non-Christian cultures
- including that of India. These founders of "mythological" studies were
convinced, as is unarguably evident in their writings, that the realm of
religious story could be clearly demarcated into two radically distinct camps:
- "Myth": that is, the primitive stories about gods, goddesses, spirits,
demons, magic and mysticism etc. found throughout all of the indigenous and
non-Biblical cultures of the world - all certainly no more than ignorant
"pre-scientific" attempts by these heathen savages (THEIR words, not mine) to
explain such mysteries as natural weather phenonema.
- "History", that is, Biblical literature and everything proceeding such
literature to be found throughout the history of Europe and the post-Columbian
Americas.
There is the wonderful saying that we have all heard, that "history" is
written by the victors. Consequently, the stories of Noah's Ark, Abraham, Moses,
the Judges, David, etc. are unquestioningly accepted by most European historians
- and sadly by many Hindu historians! - as being incontrovertible and
established fact. This, even though the evidence for these supposed historical
facts are in many cases no stronger, or even less so, than the evidence
supporting the historicity of the ancient stories of Sanatana Dharma.
What these
Western scholars and their Westernized Indian counterparts called the "mythical"
Sarasvati River, for example, was discovered to be a concrete geological fact in
our century by satellite photography. Krishna's "mythical" city of Dvaraka was,
likewise, discovered off the coast of Gujarat about two decades ago (anyone out
there have a crane?).
Despite these facts, the Puranas, Itihasas and traditional histories of
India, unlike the Biblical "myths", are relegated by modern Western scholars to
the misty realm of "myth". Or more bluntly: primitive fables. If you've guessed that
what has brought this situation about has been nothing less than European racism
and intellectual colonialism, coupled with a strong element of Hindu inferiority
complex, you've guessed right! The terms "myth", "mythology", "mythological",
etc., have been used as a powerful weapon by anti-Hindu bigots for decades as a
way of delegitimizing the beliefs Sanatana Dharma and the Vedic way of life.
Whether such unscholarly use of these otherwise legitimate terms will be
allowed to continue as a weapon against Yoga Dharma is up to each and every person
presently reading this. Such terms should be absolutely anathema to every
sincere and self-respecting follower of the Yoga tradition when speaking about the sacred stories of
Sanatana Dharma. Our stories are not "myths". If we truly respect our
spiritual tradition,
our culture, our selves, we must never use these terms again.
Rather, we should
do what many other formally oppressed non-Christian cultures have recently done
(such as many Native American tribes), and call these "Sacred Stories". We can
later, as informed followers of Yoga spirituality, debate over the meaning of these stories - whether
they are literal history (which many very clearly are), or meant to be taken
allegorically, or whatever. But, please, let us all agree not to ever degrade
our Sacred Stories again by calling them "myth".
About the Author
 Dr. Frank Morales,
Ph.D. (Sri Dharma Pravartaka
Acharya) earned both a doctorate and a Masters degree in Languages
and Cultures of Asia from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Previously, Dr. Morales earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology
from Loyola University Chicago. His fields of expertise
include Philosophy of Religion, Hindu Studies, Sanskrit, History
of Religion, Comparative Theology, Contemporary South Asian
Politics, and the interface between Hinduism and modernity.
Dr. Morales is currently recognized as one of the nation’s
leading authorities on Hindu philosophy and religion, as well as
South Asian studies. In addition to directing his own
institute (The Center for the Study of Religion and Civilization),
Dr. Morales works in conjunction with several educational
institutes and think tanks globally. Dr. Morales maintains a
very demanding schedule consisting of lecturing, consulting and
writing. Dr. Morales has been a guest lecturer at over two
dozen major universities throughout the USA, including Cornell,
Northwestern, Illinois Institute of Technology, and University of
Virginia. In addition, Dr. Morales has served as a South
Asian affairs consultant for such corporations as Ford Motor
Company, Lucent Technologies, Goodwin Procter Law Firm, and the
Global Health Corporation. His first book, “Experiencing
Truth: The Vedic Way of Knowing God”, is scheduled for
publication in 2006. In addition to his academic duties, Dr.
Morales has been a practicing orthodox Hindu for 30 years, and is
an ordained Hindu priest. The practice of Yoga and
meditation are of central importance in his life. His
website is www.dharmacentral.com.
"Dr.
Frank Morales represents the Sankalpa [the will] of the Hindu
people and the cause of Sanatana Dharma. I urge all Hindus
everywhere to give him your full support, assistance, and
encouragement in his crucial work. He needs and deserves our help."
- Dr. David Frawley (Oct. 14, 2007)
For further information about how
you can benefit from practicing the ancient tradition of Yoga
spirituality, contact us today: info@dharmacentral.com,
(608) 280-8375.
Copyright 2007, Frank Morales. You may print, duplicate or copy this article
only if you credit the author and not alter or add to the author's work in any
way.
|
