Masculine Hinduism vs Feminish Hinduism

An interesting post from a blog called Great Hindu on the difference between masculine and feminine Hinduism, offering Swami Vivekananda as an example of masculine Hinduism.

I offer this as an example of how other cultures might conceive of masculinity in religion. This version, as described, seems to me highly authoritarian and militant, so it doesn't feel very mature in my mind. But it is instructive.

Masculine Hinduism vs Feminish Hinduism

Author:Deepak Kamat

These days I meet several Hindus who say that they don’t endorse violence in the name of Hinduism. I respect their views… but I will never talk to them because I believe in masculine Hinduism.

I am a person who believes in the line “Vajradapi Katorami, Kusumadapi Komalami” — To be hard as diamond and yet be sensitive like a flower.

Soft, wishy-washy, namby-pamby Hinduism does not work all the time. At a time when Hinduism is reeling under jehadi terrorism, evangelical manipulations, global machinations and intellectual terrorism of NDTV-CNN combine, we need masculine Hinduism.

Who are the mascots of masculine Hinduism. Undoubtedly, it is Swami Vivekananda for the modern times whom I consider as the father of modern Hindu nationalism. Then for old-timers, we have Rana Pratap, Shivaji, Ranjeet Singh who made Muslims bend on their knees during a time when Islamic terrorism ruled the roost. And then there is my favourite Chandrashekar Azad who sent a chill down the British spine even when the odds were against him.

As a masculine Hindu, I still believe in the age-old wisdom of Upanishad — Ahimsa Paramodharmaha (Non-violence is the greatest virtue). However, non-violence does not mean being a sitting duck to Islamic-Christian-Left-intellectual terrorists. Self-preservation (Atma Rakshan) is also our greatest dharma.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in striking at the base of terror. There is nothing wrong in defending yourself. There is nothing wrong in a good fight.

That is why I support Narendra Modi and his ilk. May their tribe increase. And I wish that those who fight for terrorist rights also spare a thought for Hindu victims who are not in the media glare.

I may sound old-fashioned. But if truth is old-fashioned, it is not my fault.

Partial truth. But it sounds very similar to the Christian militants in this country who advocate striking first against those who might strike against us. Preemptive violence is sure to generate more violence, so it never seems to me to be a good alternative.

Mature masculinity does not back down when attacked, but it also seeks peace before resorting to violence. Maybe I am too pacifistic though.

Tags: Masculine Hinduism, Feminish Hinduism, masculinity, violence, religion, Deepak Kamat, Great Hindu