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Arise Arjuna: Hinduism and the Modern World
India faces a modern Kurukshetra as the forces of dharma and adharma clash again in a conflict that will determine the future of the nation. On one side are the forces of economic growth, cultural revival and a renewed vision of the country in harmony with its yogic values. On the other side are forces of religious prejudices, baseless propaganda, social division and materialistic political ideologies.
Mere retreat, passivity or compromise cannot overcome past adversaries or the new dangers that are lurking in our conflicted media age, its invasive technology and the disruptive clash of cultures. India needs to benefit from the opportunities of the dawning knowledge era where its dharmic traditions can prosper once again. A new spiritual warrior, equipped with yogic power and Vedantic insights, is necessary like Arjuna was under the guidance of Sri Krishna.
This book is a call for new Arjunas to emerge among us, learn the skills of the information age and uphold the cause of dharma with discernment and dedication on both intellectual and spiritual levels.Only through this can we awaken our spirit to uplift our world at this critical juncture of human history when the very foundations of life are threatened.
Mere retreat, passivity or compromise cannot overcome past adversaries or the new dangers that are lurking in our conflicted media age, its invasive technology and the disruptive clash of cultures. India needs to benefit from the opportunities of the dawning knowledge era where its dharmic traditions can prosper once again. A new spiritual warrior, equipped with yogic power and Vedantic insights, is necessary like Arjuna was under the guidance of Sri Krishna.
This book is a call for new Arjunas to emerge among us, learn the skills of the information age and uphold the cause of dharma with discernment and dedication on both intellectual and spiritual levels.Only through this can we awaken our spirit to uplift our world at this critical juncture of human history when the very foundations of life are threatened.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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207 people want to read
About the author
David Frawley
140 books311 followersDavid Frawley (or Vāmadeva Śāstrī वामदेव शास्त्री), b. 1950, is an American Hindu teacher (acharya) and author, who has written more than thirty books on topics such as the Vedas, Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, published both in India and in the United States. He is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which offers educational information on Yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. He works closely with the magazine Hinduism Today, where he is a frequent contributor.[1] He is associated with a number of Vedic organizations in several countries. He is a Vedic teacher (Vedacharya), Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), and a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 8, 2018
Another great book by David Frawley. Fan of this foreign author who know so much about our nation.
April 25, 2021
A very summarized, short & intellectual read specially for anyone who has just started exploring the history and the narratives of India.
There are a few special chapters of this book which carries quite some new & interesting information, namely :
1. Hindu Fundementalism : What is it? - here the author argues against the popular narrative of the west “intellectual”s.
2. Unity of Religions or Unity of Truth? - the arguments here are quite interesting especially when Frawley ji contests this popular myth comparing it with abrahamic religions.
3. The Aryan-Dravidian Controversy : Race, Language And Rishis - This was a fresh perspective for me as the author goes into the lineage of the greatest of Rigvedic Rishi’s like Agastya and Vashishta.
4. The Ancestry of Ravana - This was an eye opener where Frawley ji cites all references and traces the lineage to Yadu vansha !
The only thing I felt the book doesn’t do is justice to its title. It lays down the background of why we need Arjunas in the society and they need to wake up. How and the current achievements are missing.
All in all a rewarding read of course ! People who are already well versed or have basic knowledge of the duplicity and misinterpretation of Indian history by the west may need to skip a few chapters in this book and concentrate only on the interesting ones.
There are a few special chapters of this book which carries quite some new & interesting information, namely :
1. Hindu Fundementalism : What is it? - here the author argues against the popular narrative of the west “intellectual”s.
2. Unity of Religions or Unity of Truth? - the arguments here are quite interesting especially when Frawley ji contests this popular myth comparing it with abrahamic religions.
3. The Aryan-Dravidian Controversy : Race, Language And Rishis - This was a fresh perspective for me as the author goes into the lineage of the greatest of Rigvedic Rishi’s like Agastya and Vashishta.
4. The Ancestry of Ravana - This was an eye opener where Frawley ji cites all references and traces the lineage to Yadu vansha !
The only thing I felt the book doesn’t do is justice to its title. It lays down the background of why we need Arjunas in the society and they need to wake up. How and the current achievements are missing.
All in all a rewarding read of course ! People who are already well versed or have basic knowledge of the duplicity and misinterpretation of Indian history by the west may need to skip a few chapters in this book and concentrate only on the interesting ones.
July 14, 2016
TL: DR: Basically, Hindus shouldn't feel ashamed to assert that their traditions are superior to foreign traditions when it comes to fostering an open, religiously tolerant society.
The book shows why Hindu revivalism, or Hindutva or Hindu Nationalism, or whatever you want to call it is fundamentally different from other revivalist, nationalist movements. I actually do think that the comparison between Hindu nationalism and Fascism is apt, but I don't think this alone is enough to discredit the former.
The idea here is that all of South Asia should be united politically and culturally based on its common religious roots. What makes it Fascistic is: It is a futuristic project which draws upon a semi-mythologized past, its symbols and philosophy. It also seeks a "third way" between decadent materialist western capitalism, and Marxism. In this way, it is a classically "Fascist" movement. However, it completely lacks the militancy and xenophobia, as syncretism and tolerance are core features of the root culture it seeks to revive. The book is downright praiseworthy towards foreign forms of mysticism, such as Sufism insofar as they resemble Vedanta. While other forms of Hindutva do glorify violence, the opposite is found in this book.
The key difference is that the root material: Hinduism is fundamentally different from Islam, German Culture, or what have you. In terms of religion, Hinduism is radically tolerant. The idea that there are multiple approaches to God and Truth is basically the only thing that 90% of Hindus agree upon. And even there, I have to make a 10% exception for Hindu Atheists. Despite what the author claims, Hinduism isn't even a religion per se (that is a false notion foreign to the Indian subcontinent), but a bundle of philosophies which have common roots in South Asia, and which generally agree on basic principles such as religious tolerance, the existence of a cosmic spirit which pervades/transcends all consciousness, karma, rebirth, and liberation.
Thus, using Hinduism as the basis for a futuristic project is different from using Islam or Christianity as the basis for a nationalistic movement in the same way that American paleoconservatism is fundamentally different from European or Arab Conservatism. The basis culture which the two traditions draw from (Paleoconservatism and Hinduism) are simply far more liberal than their foreign alternatives, so harkening back to them is less harmful, and can even be positive in some cases. There is a real substantive difference between the core Hindu belief "Truth is one, though sages know it by many names" or alternatively phrased "there is no religion higher than truth" VERSUS "There is no God but Allah and Muhammed is his (final) messenger" or "Salvation is only possible through Christ the Lord". All religions and cultures are not created equal. Ideas matter, and when it comes to ideas/vales which foster a tolerant, harmonious, driverse society of worshippers, Hindu culture is simply more conducive. The paradox of a reactionary movement harkening back to liberal values might be perplexing and counterintuitive, but thats basically whats going on in this book.
That's the gist of the political/cultural project of the book, which is what I found most interesting. He also talks about spiritual stuff, and the interaction of India with the west, but I didn't find that to be as interesting.
If you go into this book expecting some kind of Shiv Sena stuff, you'll be disappointed. It decries violence with very few if any reservations.
Of course, violent, radical Hindutva activists and militants exist. This is not meant to excuse them or justify their actions (although the book does come dangerously close to doing just that at one point during discussion of Babri Masjid. Nevertheless, even here the author has a point that totally unjustified Hindu violence towards Islam is a drop in the bucket compared to the violence which flows the other way). Violence is evil, and religious violence is intolerable intolerance. Hindu revivalism is multifaceted. This is not the Hindu Nationalism of Shiv Sena and street gangs. This is the intellectual version. This is the Hindutva of Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, or even Hedgewar.
This book did get a bit silly and or extreme at times. Particularly bothersome to me were his criticism of conversion, his presumption of truth regarding mystical notions like karma and reincarnation, his dismissal of modern western culture's value, his confusion as to whether or not Hinduism is an organized religion or a bundle of vaguely related philosophies, and his minimization of the Babri Masjid incident. But I encourage all people to read it, as it presents Hindu revivalism or nationalism in the most positive, liberal, view I've seen. If all Hinduva activists had this mindset, there would be no slander against them.
The book shows why Hindu revivalism, or Hindutva or Hindu Nationalism, or whatever you want to call it is fundamentally different from other revivalist, nationalist movements. I actually do think that the comparison between Hindu nationalism and Fascism is apt, but I don't think this alone is enough to discredit the former.
The idea here is that all of South Asia should be united politically and culturally based on its common religious roots. What makes it Fascistic is: It is a futuristic project which draws upon a semi-mythologized past, its symbols and philosophy. It also seeks a "third way" between decadent materialist western capitalism, and Marxism. In this way, it is a classically "Fascist" movement. However, it completely lacks the militancy and xenophobia, as syncretism and tolerance are core features of the root culture it seeks to revive. The book is downright praiseworthy towards foreign forms of mysticism, such as Sufism insofar as they resemble Vedanta. While other forms of Hindutva do glorify violence, the opposite is found in this book.
The key difference is that the root material: Hinduism is fundamentally different from Islam, German Culture, or what have you. In terms of religion, Hinduism is radically tolerant. The idea that there are multiple approaches to God and Truth is basically the only thing that 90% of Hindus agree upon. And even there, I have to make a 10% exception for Hindu Atheists. Despite what the author claims, Hinduism isn't even a religion per se (that is a false notion foreign to the Indian subcontinent), but a bundle of philosophies which have common roots in South Asia, and which generally agree on basic principles such as religious tolerance, the existence of a cosmic spirit which pervades/transcends all consciousness, karma, rebirth, and liberation.
Thus, using Hinduism as the basis for a futuristic project is different from using Islam or Christianity as the basis for a nationalistic movement in the same way that American paleoconservatism is fundamentally different from European or Arab Conservatism. The basis culture which the two traditions draw from (Paleoconservatism and Hinduism) are simply far more liberal than their foreign alternatives, so harkening back to them is less harmful, and can even be positive in some cases. There is a real substantive difference between the core Hindu belief "Truth is one, though sages know it by many names" or alternatively phrased "there is no religion higher than truth" VERSUS "There is no God but Allah and Muhammed is his (final) messenger" or "Salvation is only possible through Christ the Lord". All religions and cultures are not created equal. Ideas matter, and when it comes to ideas/vales which foster a tolerant, harmonious, driverse society of worshippers, Hindu culture is simply more conducive. The paradox of a reactionary movement harkening back to liberal values might be perplexing and counterintuitive, but thats basically whats going on in this book.
That's the gist of the political/cultural project of the book, which is what I found most interesting. He also talks about spiritual stuff, and the interaction of India with the west, but I didn't find that to be as interesting.
If you go into this book expecting some kind of Shiv Sena stuff, you'll be disappointed. It decries violence with very few if any reservations.
Of course, violent, radical Hindutva activists and militants exist. This is not meant to excuse them or justify their actions (although the book does come dangerously close to doing just that at one point during discussion of Babri Masjid. Nevertheless, even here the author has a point that totally unjustified Hindu violence towards Islam is a drop in the bucket compared to the violence which flows the other way). Violence is evil, and religious violence is intolerable intolerance. Hindu revivalism is multifaceted. This is not the Hindu Nationalism of Shiv Sena and street gangs. This is the intellectual version. This is the Hindutva of Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, or even Hedgewar.
This book did get a bit silly and or extreme at times. Particularly bothersome to me were his criticism of conversion, his presumption of truth regarding mystical notions like karma and reincarnation, his dismissal of modern western culture's value, his confusion as to whether or not Hinduism is an organized religion or a bundle of vaguely related philosophies, and his minimization of the Babri Masjid incident. But I encourage all people to read it, as it presents Hindu revivalism or nationalism in the most positive, liberal, view I've seen. If all Hinduva activists had this mindset, there would be no slander against them.
May 6, 2019
Must read!! Nicely put together concepts for better clarity.
Must read for every Hindu. Specifically those who failed to defend hindu virtues at cross religious debates or for better clarity on how to defend Hinduism when other religious figures make undue advantages of falsified concepts of Hinduism.
Must read for every Hindu. Specifically those who failed to defend hindu virtues at cross religious debates or for better clarity on how to defend Hinduism when other religious figures make undue advantages of falsified concepts of Hinduism.
September 19, 2019
Great book! Must read for everyone who wants to acquaint themselves about the current state of the Hindu society. Touches on various topics like the current trend of "Secularism", busting the Aryan Invasion Theory, and the spirituality and the open framework of Sanatana Dharma (a.k.a. Hinduism).
May 6, 2009
awesome!!!!
May 8, 2012
Very interesting book. A must for every Indian. Mr. Frawley explains what is wrong with India and Hinduism today.
July 27, 2012
must read for indian nationals
October 12, 2019
What a learning experience reading this book was!
This should be read by every Indian to learn to take pride in our culture. The Author straight refuses to agree that "All religion are equal". Yet, he makes the reader accept that all religion are different - but there is a common element that binds them all together. Read the book to know what this element is.
This should be read by every Indian to learn to take pride in our culture. The Author straight refuses to agree that "All religion are equal". Yet, he makes the reader accept that all religion are different - but there is a common element that binds them all together. Read the book to know what this element is.
June 2, 2021
It's basically a call to all Hindus to unite and be unapologetic for your religion, for your culture, and follow the principles of Dharma.
The book goes into four areas of challenges Hindus face - 1) Social, 2) Religious, 3) Historical and 4) Cultural. The author details those challenges and what Hindus need to do to overcome these with a very positive outlook. It's important for Hindus to understand these issues in detail and formulate a counter in their individual capacity. Some of the chapters are eye-opening.
My favorite and a very unique part of this book has been reading the author's commentary on Ram Swarup's book "Hindu View of Christianity and Islam" which is one of those rare and important books that examines the two Abrahamic religions from the standpoint of yogic spirituality. Looking forward to reading that as well.
The book goes into four areas of challenges Hindus face - 1) Social, 2) Religious, 3) Historical and 4) Cultural. The author details those challenges and what Hindus need to do to overcome these with a very positive outlook. It's important for Hindus to understand these issues in detail and formulate a counter in their individual capacity. Some of the chapters are eye-opening.
My favorite and a very unique part of this book has been reading the author's commentary on Ram Swarup's book "Hindu View of Christianity and Islam" which is one of those rare and important books that examines the two Abrahamic religions from the standpoint of yogic spirituality. Looking forward to reading that as well.
April 24, 2022
"Pranam! Guru Vamdev"
After reading a short introduction to the book in kindle store, I felt a pull by this book. My interest kept on growing as I progressed in the book. The climax reached while reading the life-story of Mr David Frwley Turning into Guru Vamdev. My thanks to the author for bringing out this great book. I can't help giving any other rating to this book. I regret why there is no provision for more stars.
After reading a short introduction to the book in kindle store, I felt a pull by this book. My interest kept on growing as I progressed in the book. The climax reached while reading the life-story of Mr David Frwley Turning into Guru Vamdev. My thanks to the author for bringing out this great book. I can't help giving any other rating to this book. I regret why there is no provision for more stars.
June 25, 2024
An interesting book on religion that doesn't hesitate to take head on Western biases that condemn Hinduism. The only thing to complain is that in its openness to lay bare the lies and corruption behind other religions, it fails to give Hinduism also a fair treatment of showing its flaws. However, what it definitely does is rips to shred the Aryan Dravidian myth, and encourages open criticism and discussion.
July 16, 2025
Amazing book. Wish someone had published some thing like this in my 20 something age.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews