When I watch any discussion about ‘re-writing’ history I wonder is it actually possible? No one can rewrite history. Even those written records, however controversial, are still part of history. We can only ‘REINTERPRET’ all those written records. Even in ‘reinterpreting’ we also make a history in that process of ‘interpretation’. Similarly, all our present interpretations are clearly influenced by the need of the hour based on the political, social, economic, religious and even communal pressure on us.
So, whenever I watch or read about ‘re-writing’ history I take it with a bag full of salt and never accept it as the ‘GOSPEL’ truth.
Now another question that comes to my mind is this: why should it not be a ‘Vedic Truth’ and only a ‘Gospel Truth’? Of course, many educated people might know what the ‘Gospel truth’ actually means. But I was surprised to note that even Mahatma Gandhiji often used the same word for promoting the ‘Gospel’ of ahimsa, Swaraj, non-cooperation and Khadar. When we say ‘Gospel Truth’ does it not mean an absolute and unchanging truth? But considering the context of the word ‘Gospel’ we all know well that it is the ‘Good News’ based on the Muktiveda that ‘yet when we are sinners God died for our sins there by demonstrating His love for humanity. To contextualize it ‘God became our prayaschitta by paying the price for our sin in Principle’. [my own paraphrase]. But is it acceptable to everyone as if the ‘eternal and unchanging truth’ with which others’ concepts needs to be measured?
For example, if not for all, but for most of the Orthodox Hindus, Veda alone remains ‘ETERNAL’ and the only TRUTH for them. But they never use a term called ‘as Vedic Truth’ as a normative measuring principle. The reason for me to point this out is that as the term ‘Gospel’ becomes part of our history, many or almost all of us use that term not actually understanding or agreeing with the original context of the word ‘Gospel’. In fact, most of the educated people in India also use the word ‘Gospel Truth’ actually not knowing the real meaning of the word ‘Gospel’. Take a small survey among your own relatives, friends and neighbours who are not Christian to know what is their understanding of the term ‘Gospel Truth’ and what the word ‘Gospel’ stands for. And you would be surprised by the result.@ Because, we several times use certain idiomatic sayings without deeply probing the meaning behind it. But that is the way that idiom came down to us. The same is with history and historical events.
Now we can reinterpret it by challenging the very purpose of using the same term when we want to compare any of our own concepts [as I do here]. And we can give new interpretations or even replace ‘Vedic Truth’ for our needs. But eradicating that very term as used by Mahatmaji and others is almost impossible.
Thus, we cannot remove that term from the original writing and replace it with our own terms. And those Indians, even some Hindus who do not accept Vedic authority could coin their own term. For example, as Tamilian celebrate Thirukkural for its teaching [even Modiji wants to promote it] can say ‘Kural Truth’. Then each sampradaya can coin their own term like ‘Advaitc Truth’ ‘Vishishtadvaitic Truth’. Nothing wrong in their right to use those terms. Then in order to communicate what these ‘Kural’ ‘Advaitic’ truths etc., are they need to add additional footnotes to their articles.
In fact, considering the fact that ‘Gospel’ means Good News, Gandhiji’s non-cooperation and swaraj never remained a ‘good news’ for all# the Indians as there was a section of people, particularly in Tamil Nadu who prefer to remain under British rule. For them to accept the White Supremacy of the British is better than to accept the Brahminical hegemony in the name of Freedom. Because they thought that though not all the Congress leaders were Brahmins, still it is controlled and guided by Brahminical values like Swdeshi, Ahimsa, etc. So, such people might even oppose the word ‘Veda’ of Swadeshi. In fact, what Gandhiji actually wanted to promote is the right knowledge about the importance of home spinning and waving to boycott foreign clothes. So as the Veda comes out from the root ‘vid’ which means ‘knowledge’, actually the word ‘Veda’ of Khadar would be more appropriate to the ‘Gospel’ of Khadar.
Well, whatever might be the reason for Gandhiji using the word ‘Gospel’ of Khadar etc., now that term is historical and we cannot even replace it, however we try to give a new and correct interpretation of Gandhiji’s message of Swadeshi.
So rewriting history is impossible. Even the ‘Reinterpretation’ will be subjected to scrutiny and further discussions and ‘interpretation’ will become inevitable. So, history will always remain as the ‘Vedic Truth’, as a form of ‘knowledge’ rather than a ‘Gospel Truth’ as a ‘Good News’ for all the time for everyone to accept.
24-04-2023. Gurukulam.
@I conducted a small survey and sent the following message:
Mahatma Gandhiji often used the term ‘Gospel of Swadeshi, Khadar, Ahimsa and non-cooperation’ [CWMG, vol. 24]. We also know the term ‘Gospel Truth’. What this term actually stands for and what is the meaning of the word ‘Gospel’. I wanted to conduct a survey by asking this question for my article: Rewriting History. Your kind response will help me with this. Thanks. You should not use the Internet or any other source to find the original meaning.’
I sent this message to 26 people. All of them are graduates and postgraduates leading a high profile life. To my surprise only three responded. One Bank Manager came close to the original meaning by saying ‘Good News’. But when I asked what that good news stands for, he said he does not know. Another Industrialist wrote ‘Does gospel means Messenger’? Another retired Office wrote: My understanding is that it (Gospel) means Bible.
# Gandiji already aware of this and wrote:
The Government may, as it is carrying on a counter-propaganda, successfully draw recruits for civil and military employment, by various methods induce people to drink and wear foreign cloth and speculate in foodstuffs and cotton and thus continue to govern so long as people intentionally or ignorantly co-operate with it….What was the burning of the khadi vests and caps of the young men of Calicut? What is the crusade against the students of the Vizagapatam Medical School, if it is not an insensate crusade against khadi?’–187. NOTES, CWMG, vol. 24, p. 364.
I sent this message to 26 people. All of them are graduates and postgraduates leading a high profile life. To my surprise only three responded. One Bank Manager came close to the original meaning by saying ‘Good News’. But when I asked what that good news stands for, he said he does not know. Another Industrialist wrote ‘Does gospel means Messenger’? Another retired Office wrote: My understanding is that it (Gospel) means Bible. I don’t want burden you by sending the entire article ‘Rewriting History’. If you have time and interest read the article that posted in my Face Book.
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