Author: David Frawley
Publication: Indiafacts.org
Date: January 21, 2016
URL:   http://indiafacts.org/sitaram-goel-modern-indias-greatest-intellectual-kshatriya/

Sitaram was writing from the frontlines of the battle, not from a convenient view on the sidelines.

While I was traveling in England in 1996, giving a series of lectures on Hindu dharma throughout the country, the idea of the need for a new “intellectual kshatriya” or intellectual warrior class for Hindu society dawned upon me. Yet returning back to the USA, where I live, I almost forgot about the concept.

Somehow Sitaram Goel, with whom I had been working with for several years, heard of my idea and asked me to develop it further, which I then did in various books and articles.

The idea of an intellectual kshatriya is that of a person who defends Hindu dharma with a determined intellectual power and unwavering discrimination – which is the necessity of this information age and the clash of cultures occurring today.

It requires critical thinking and original insight, not a mere repetition or imitation of past systems of thought or the words of previous thinkers. It requires that one is incisive, even harsh if necessary in order to counter wrong views, like a surgeon working to remove a cancerous tumor – particularly relative to groups whose vested interests prevent them from looking at Hindu dharma with open minds.

In this regard an intellectual kshatriya reflects the diplomatic approach of Hindu thought of sama, dana, danda, and bheda. One offers dialogue and conciliation to friends who may be temporarily alienated by misunderstandings (sama). One controls by strength and clarity (dana) those who are wavering in support, but not necessarily inimical in their views. One uses strict rules and critical engagement (danda) for those who are hostile, but still can be brought in line. And one creates division and defeats in debate (bheda) those who are unwilling to accept the truth. This is the traditional Hindu kshatriya approach going back to the Vedas.

Somehow Sitaram Goel, with whom I had been working with for several years, heard of my idea and asked me to develop it further, which I then did in various books and articles.

The idea of an intellectual kshatriya is that of a person who defends Hindu dharma with a determined intellectual power and unwavering discrimination – which is the necessity of this information age and the clash of cultures occurring today.

It requires critical thinking and original insight, not a mere repetition or imitation of past systems of thought or the words of previous thinkers. It requires that one is incisive, even harsh if necessary in order to counter wrong views, like a surgeon working to remove a cancerous tumor – particularly relative to groups whose vested interests prevent them from looking at Hindu dharma with open minds.

In this regard an intellectual kshatriya reflects the diplomatic approach of Hindu thought of sama, dana, danda, and bheda. One offers dialogue and conciliation to friends who may be temporarily alienated by misunderstandings (sama). One controls by strength and clarity (dana) those who are wavering in support, but not necessarily inimical in their views. One uses strict rules and critical engagement (danda) for those who are hostile, but still can be brought in line. And one creates division and defeats in debate (bheda) those who are unwilling to accept the truth. This is the traditional Hindu kshatriya approach going back to the Vedas.

Goel took up difficult issues like the massive Islamic destruction of Hindu temples, which others preferred to ignore or gloss over. He warned of the danger of Islamic terrorism long before it erupted on the world scene after 9/11, which type of attacks he predicted.

He challenged the Christian missionary assault on India, exposing its agenda of conversion in the guise of social service, and its exclusivist dogma using Hindu tolerance to hide its aggression. Whatever subject he examined, he dealt with directly, thoroughly and rationally, letting the facts speak for themselves.

Sitaram Goel deserves heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous service that he has rendered Hindu society and the cause of truth. For any deep study of the social and historical aspects of Hindu dharma, one should first examine his many books. While the truth is not always pleasant to face, one must clearly do so in order to effectively move forward.