CHICAGO: A two-day seminar was held at Balaji Temple Aurora and Hindu Temple, Lemont, a Chicago south side suburb, by Janeshwari Devi, Director of Programs for Vedic Foundation, and educational initiative of JKP Barshana Dham in Austin, TX. Over hundred people attended each day and heard her scholarly presentation of the teachings and contribution of Hinduism to the making of the human civilization and culture.

The subject of her presentation and deliberation was What Makes Hinuduism Great. The purpose of this seminar, Janeshwari Devi said was to bring to light the original source of teachings of Hinduism to help dispel myths and misunderstandings that were heaped up by the ill-informed western scholars, most of whom were soaked in the theology of Christian doctrines.

It is not to caste aspersion on their learning, but she said those learned in western philosophical traditions could not appreciate the Indian cultural and philosophic thoughts as someone who is born and brought up and faithfully studied the scriptures of the land with deep devotion.

Missionary-objectives behind learning were at best to help them to pursue and propagate their own faith, in which they are rightly erudite.Janeshwari Devi, a Hindu Sanyasini, who had taken to the order of Vaishnav Sanyas in 1983, studied the history of philosophy, spirituality and traditions of Hinduism under the watchful guidance of her Guru.

She explained that the religion in Bharatvarsh, the classical name of India, is directly descended from the grace of God and therefore the scriptures are divinely manifested. Thus, she continued, the religion of Bharat is not like the history and the religion of the western world, which contains the accounts and ideologies alien and in contrast to the values of Sanatan Hindu Dharma.Janeshwari Devi talked to India Post in a personal interview at the residence of Madhu Patel and emphasized that the contents of history which were the records of writings and research of the western scholars must change. Indians must begin to research and write and present the real history of India's religion, spirituality, social and political institutions.

She affirmed that she believes that the Hindu scriptures are the dispensation from divine source. And everything she would present and talk about the religious history of India is taken from the scriptures and therefore they should not be construed as her opinion or interpretation.She further clarified that the gist of her presentations are taken directly from the scriptures, as taught by Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj, the highest authority of Hinduism today, as recognized by the academia.

She however thought that in the West Hindus must involve more in the research and study of the history and fill up information in universities and libraries, so that the face of research studies would change and bring Hindu philosophy into limelight and information of the upcoming scholars and students.She was of the opinion that in order to establish the eternity and divinity of Sanskrit language, the Vedas and Upanishads, religion or spirituality, it was necessary to give a comparative view of western culture, religion and civilization, so that the reader could right away understand the truth.

She assured that in spite of the vicissitudes in the social and cultural conditions by numerous forces to disrupt the ancient traditions and philosophies of Hindu lifestyle in India, the society will continue to grow and spirituality as we have known for millennia will flourish and the message of Gita and Upanishads will guide the people.