Interview: David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)
Although not born a Hindu, David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) was to become one of the leading Hindu experts on the Vedas, and has authored a number of influential books on various facets of Hinduism, as well as Hindu social and political issues. He is currently director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies. It is with great pleasure that Hindu Voice UK bring to you this interview, the first interview that David Frawley has given for a long while.
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June 30th, 2006 at 9:14 am
Wow, what an inspiring article. I’m very surprised that western Hindus seem to be more dedicated than those born into Hindu families. Where can I purchase Arise Arjuna book? What other books do you recommend?
July 1st, 2006 at 1:51 pm
The Hindu voice U K shoul be congratulaterd to get this very balanced interview from a great man who knows Hinduism and about Hindus more than any normal Hindu I know off. His books are excellent. He is doing an excellent job to explain clearly the Hindu philosophy. Well done! Keep it up.
July 15th, 2006 at 2:19 am
Pandit Vama Deva Shastri is a highly evolved soul who has contributed immensely to the literature explaining and teaching humanity the jewels that are found in Hinduism. It is also a pleasure to know that one does not need to be born to be a Hindu and that hopefully this misconception can clear rapidly.
-Muski
July 16th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
This latter is an important point - not only does one not need to be born Hindu to be Hindu, but in fact this whole concept is actually meaningless. This leads on to another unfortunate situation that I came across in India a few years ago whilst with a group of British students (both Hindu and non-Hindu).
The group had been working with villagers in North India on a project of rural self-development over their summer holidays. At the end of their visit to India, the group was taken on a tour to various places, including Varanasi, where everyone was obviously excited to see Kashi Vishwanath mandir. However, the non-Hindu girls in the group (all appropriately dressed, etc.) were barred from entering; when I asked why, I was told it was because only Hindus were allowed in. They went on to say that if the girls could produce documentary evidence of conversion to Hinduism, they would be allowed to enter; in addition, they were quite sure that all the brown-skinned people who had been ushered through with no problems were clearly Hindu, rather than brown-skinned Muslims, Christians or anything else.
I understand concerns about mass tourism and maintenance of proper respect in places of worship; however, I feel that the connection that is made between this concern and the restriction of numerous mandirs in India to brown-skinned only fails to stand up as a reasonable argument. Another case in point is presented below; article taken from SAMVAD 1 July 2006:
AMERICAN DEVOTEE BUILDS TEMPLE
An American devotee has built another Jagannath temple in the Bhadrak district of Orissa, which allows entry to all.
Thirty-year-old Julian Parker is the son of a doctor in Los Angeles. Since childhood, Parker has been a devotee of Lord Jagannath and that is what led him to come to India in 1993 and embrace Sanatan Dharma. Parker then changed his name to Nitai Das. He was disheartened when he wasn’t allowed entry into the Jagannath temple in Puri.
After more than 10 years of perseverance, the 35-feet-high temple is ready in the Kuansh village.
The total expenses amounted to around Rs 26 lakh and half of this amount was donated by Parker himself. The rest came through donations.
“There are so many Jagannath bhakts (devotees) across the world. When they are not allowed inside the temple, they feel bad like I did. So I have built this temple,” says Parker. In the quest to realise his dream, Parker has been staying in Bhadrak since 1994. Here he married a Hindu girl, Tapaswini Sahoo.
“He is highly religious and follows all Hindu traditions. I am very happy with him and I never felt he is a foreigner. After marrying him, I feel I am a lucky woman,” says Tapaswini.
December 22nd, 2006 at 2:57 am
It gives me a deep spiritul happiness to read about “David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)” profound knowledge of Hinduism and his commitment in promoting it. May his work continue long into the future - the world needs it.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 am
how strange are coincidences!
last week i sent david[vama] a little dream i had and a simple yantra i drew.
i ask,who will protect the pious?
Ioften wonder whether the greatest research on sanskrit is being done in germany or america.definitely not india.