Bharatiya Sanskruti Sankant Ki Aur

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Bharatiya Sanskruti Sankat ki Aur" by Mangesh Ranka, focusing on the core arguments presented:

The text argues that Indian culture, historically a beacon of spirituality, ethics, and artistic achievement, is currently facing a severe crisis. This decline is attributed primarily to the pervasive influence of Western civilization and culture, which has unfortunately overshadowed India's own rich heritage.

The Strengths of Indian Culture:

• The author begins by highlighting the profound and multifaceted nature of Indian culture, which is deeply rooted in spiritual values, moral conduct, and pursuit of knowledge.
• Key virtues like righteousness, non-violence, and truthfulness are presented as foundational to Indian life.
• The importance of restraint and adherence to rules are identified as defining characteristics of Indian culture.
• The text cites examples like Rama's renunciation of his kingdom and Mahatma Gandhi's complete sacrifice as universal exemplars of this spirit of renunciation.
• Beyond philosophy, Indian art and literature, exemplified by the Ajanta and Ellora paintings and Khajuraho temples, are celebrated as national pride and subjects of global artistic devotion.
• The unifying power of Indian culture, which transcends regional differences and binds humanity, is emphasized, along with the enduring legacy of its cultural icons like Rama, Krishna, and Bapu.

The Crisis and its Causes:

• The author contends that this once vibrant culture began to weaken and develop cracks after India's independence.
• The arrival of the British is identified as the initial catalyst, first influencing Indians and then engulfing the country in Western impact.
• There's a lament that Indians now consider adopting Western culture, civilization, language, dress, food, and education as a mark of prestige, to the extent that their own "Indianness" seems to have lost its meaning.
• The blinding allure of materialism has eroded India's spiritual foundation (atmavaad).
• Unlike the past when foreigners came to India to learn spirituality and were enriched by its wealth, the narrative now is one of India losing its wealth and resorting to begging, a stark contrast that feels like a lost dream.
• The text criticizes a sense of collective self-harm and disloyalty, lamenting the loss of past unity where the joy and sorrow of one were shared by all, and a collective stand was taken for honor. Modern society is characterized as selfish and self-centered, a deviation from cultural norms.

Manifestations of Western Influence:

• The influence of Western culture is seen in the adoption of their customs and abandonment of traditional Indian practices.
• Religious observances are altered, with Indians finding it inconvenient to remove shoes in temples or risking creases in their trousers, while readily standing in churches.
• Western attire, food, and lifestyles are perceived as symbols of modernity and civilization.
• Speaking Sanskrit and Hindi is deemed inferior, while public displays of affection, dining in hotels, and immodest behavior are considered modern.
• There's a loss of attachment to traditional attire like the dhoti-kurta, and a decline in the consumption of traditional foods like milk and ghee in favor of Western alternatives.
• Traditional duties towards parents and respect for teachers have diminished.
• The author laments the loss of self-respect, physical strength, and beauty.
• The melodious and captivating Indian music has been supplanted by Western rap music, with people dancing to meaningless songs. Figures like Michael Jackson are elevated to the status of musical deities, while the contributions of Indian singers are forgotten.
• The crisis extends to Indian women, who are losing their femininity under the guise of equal rights. The roles of mother and devoted wife are being abandoned in favor of Western notions of freedom, with domestic work seen as menial, and modesty being ridiculed.
• Television is criticized for promoting a lack of foresight and contributing to the regression from civilization to barbarism.
• Even after 47 years of independence, India is described as being deeply trapped in the quagmire of Western culture and civilization.

Call to Action:

• The author concludes with a strong call to action, urging everyone to resist the tide of Western civilization with all their might.
• This resistance is presented as a duty to pave the way for the nation's future progress and to open the doors for global welfare.

In essence, the text is a passionate critique of the erosion of Indian cultural values and traditions due to the overwhelming influx of Western influences, advocating for a conscious effort to preserve and revive India's unique heritage.