{"id":996,"date":"2023-09-30T16:53:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T16:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/?p=996"},"modified":"2024-05-06T10:36:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T10:36:43","slug":"sanathana-dharma-an-ideology-to-be-eradicated-or-a-philosophy-to-be-embraced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/sanathana-dharma-an-ideology-to-be-eradicated-or-a-philosophy-to-be-embraced\/","title":{"rendered":"Sanathana Dharma: an ideology to be eradicated or a philosophy to be\u00a0embraced?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"996\" class=\"elementor elementor-996\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c0deb3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9c0deb3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b5f9f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9b5f9f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-small\">A series of articles by Acharya Sri KR Manoj ji, Founder &amp; Director of Aarsha Vidya Samajam.<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96dfd78 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"96dfd78\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-759624d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"759624d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div dir=\"auto\"><strong>Article 1: Distortions, misinterpretations, brainwashing, everywhere!!<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6199948 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6199948\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2f58d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2f58d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">This happened in 2017. Athira, a native of Udma, Kasaragod who had converted into Islam and become \u2018Ayesha\u2019, had returned to Sanathana Dharma as Athira, after attending classes at Aarsha Vidya Samajam. Before leaving home, she had left a letter to her parents trying to convince them into accepting Islam too. Even today that letter is being widely propagated by an organization with another person\u2019s voice. That organization is \u201cNiche of Truth\u201d. A question was raised in a public forum to its founder MM Akbar. That question and MM Akbar\u2019s answer to it is still available on MM Akbar\u2019s YouTube channel under the title \u201cAthira Manasilaakkiya Sanathana Dharmam\u201d (which means Sanathana Dharma as understood by Athira). Mentioning the relevant parts of the question below.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Question: \u201cAthira who believes that Islam is a religion of tolerance, writes a 22-page letter to her parents, and leaves home to learn Islam. Later, after a 22-day long stay at Aarsha Vidya Samajam, this sister who studied Islam in extreme depth, stated that Islam is a wrong religion. Can you explain what Athira said about Sanathana Dharma?\u201d<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">MM Akbar\u2019s reply: \u201cSo friend, you are asking me to comment about what Athira, a sister who learned so deeply about Islam, and proclaimed her Islamic knowledge and commitment to Islam to all of us through her 22-page letter, emphasizing the depth of her belief to her parents, is now saying after her return to Hindu religion.\u201d<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">\u201cWe know about this Aarsha Vidya Samajam. If you ask me what is going on there, I would say it is torture and brainwashing which no common human can bear. They challenge the student by asking them questions and posing criticisms from all four directions using various translations of the Holy Quran. Her speech today is a product of that. That speech is only from her tongue. It remains to be seen if it is from her heart.\u201d (MM Akbar tries to dodge the question about Sanathana Dharma by blaming Aarsha Vidya Samajam! But when the person who asked the doubt about Sanathana Dharma repeated his question, Akbar said this.)<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">MM Akbar: They are terming Sanathana Dharma which is nothing but Haindava Dharma. This religion is nothing but \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d. In reality, only those philosophies that conform with the \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d have prevailed in India. All the Paurohityas have destroyed anything that doesn\u2019t. The reason for all this is because they questioned the \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d. Those who questioned this \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d that divided humans into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Chandalas, even those within the system have only been severely discredited and shunned. Meanwhile, Dwaitas and Adwaitas have had their place in India. Samkhyas and Vaisheshikas have existed in India. All of them had fundamentally accepted the \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d. The Dharma or Sanathana Dharma these people are referring to is in fact \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d. Nothing else! What other Dharma are they talking about? The Sanathana Dharma they are talking about has never existed in the history of India. What they mean is only \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d. What they want is a social order based on the \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d. We must understand that these are different forms of dividing humans and oppressing the Chandalas and Shudras while giving Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas the power to rule and exploit the country. (Note how \u201cVarnashrama system\u201d is used atleast 8 times in a short span of time while explaining Sanathana Dharma.)<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Today, when I examined the controversies related to Sanathana Dharma are are widely rampant today, the old Straw Man Fallacy employed by MM Akbar crossed my mind today.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">(What is Straw Man Fallacy?<\/div><div dir=\"auto\">The straw man fallacy is an argument that disturbs and twists the opposition\u2019s stance to make it convenient to rebut. The person committing the straw man fallacy gives the impression of having dealt with an argument while actually not addressing its core aspects.<\/div><div dir=\"auto\">When one attacks a twisted version of the opponent\u2019s stance, they can be said to have committed a straw man fallacy. The term is said to come from the idea of an imaginary man of straw or scarecrow who is seen as a weak adversary.)<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Instead of learning a philosophy seriously on the basis of its authoritative principles, they distort, misinterpret, and criticize in ways that are easy for oneself by blindly disputing others and misleading them. They move the goalpost to a convenient place and shoot the goal. This logical fallacy is called Straw Man Fallacy. This old method of \u2018misinterpretation\u2019 can be seen everywhere today.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">All the arguments relating to Sanathana Dharma and Varnashrama System will be answered in the next article onwards.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Before that, this narrative needs to be answered. Did you notice another comment by MM Akbar? \u201cSanathana Dharma has never existed in history!\u201d This is his discovery! This is a constant argument raised by not only Akbar but many other critics of Hindu Dharma. But according to them, all the troubles in history have been because of Sanathana Dharma! They confidently claim! Weird justifications!<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Haven\u2019t you heard some famous people say this &#8211; \u201cWhat is Hindu Dharma? There is no such religion. Why are you proud of a non-existent religion?\u201d Although Hindu Dharma doesn\u2019t exist according to them, they have endless criticisms and accusations against it! Let\u2019s not forget that according to them, all the \u201cproblems\u201d in the world from the beginning of time, especially that in India are because of a \u201cnon-existent Hindu Dharma\u201d!<\/div><div dir=\"auto\">Some politicians often ask \u201cWho are Hindus here? There is no such section called Hindus. In Kerala, there are castes such as Brahmin, Ambalavasi, Nair, Ezhava, Thiyya, Vishwakarmaja, Vellal, Nadar, Dheevar, Pulayar, Parayar etc. But where are Hindus?\u201d<\/div><div dir=\"auto\">The question is relevant. Majority of Hindus are only Hindus because they mention \u2018Hindu\u2019 in the religion column. But then a question arises. The argument is that there is no such thing as Hindu! Ok, agreed. Then why do you constantly mock the \u201cnon-existent\u201d Hindu Dharma and consider it as the root cause of all troubles? If Hindus don\u2019t exist, then why portray them as an imaginary majority?! In any case, they will never claim that Christianity and Islam did not exist. But how can you justify these \u201cestablished religions\u201d &#8211; organized religions with enough money, influence, and manpower &#8211; need to be protected under minority status? Whom do they need protection from? From the \u201cnon-existent\u201d Hindu? If there is no Hindu Dharma or nation, then why appease certain sections with anti-secular minority rights and the benefits of Sachar Committee and Paloli Committee?<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Not sure if these questions will get answers!<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">Let us find out!<\/div><\/div><div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s\"><div dir=\"auto\">(To be continued\u2026)<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A series of articles by Acharya Sri KR Manoj ji, Founder &#038; Director of Aarsha Vidya Samajam. Article 1: Distortions,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":830,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-996","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-blog-english"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?fit=1344%2C768&ssl=1","wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"cvmm-medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1",300,300,true],"cvmm-medium-plus":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=305%2C207&ssl=1",305,207,true],"cvmm-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=400%2C600&ssl=1",400,600,true],"cvmm-medium-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1",600,600,true],"cvmm-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1",1024,768,true],"cvmm-small":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?resize=130%2C95&ssl=1",130,95,true],"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sanatana-Dharma-Ganga-Arti.jpg?fit=1344%2C768&ssl=1",1344,768,false]},"categories_names":{"23":{"name":"blog","link":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/category\/blog\/"},"27":{"name":"blog-english","link":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/category\/blog-english\/"}},"tags_names":[],"comments_number":"0","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/996","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=996"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/996\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1000,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/996\/revisions\/1000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=996"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=996"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arshaworld.org\/avs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=996"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}