238. diaspora
It is interesting to note that the concept of “sacred land” is not recognized only
by the Penn Hills devotee. Republicans from the Hindu community near the Fort
Worth-Dallas area understand the notion of “karma bhumi,” the land where actions
bear fruit, in a far more general manner than Manu and his compatriots intended.
The following passage from a document produced by a small group of Hindu Re-
publicans who took an active interest in the 1984 elections reinforces the importance
many Hindus give to the sacredness of land. V. S. Naipaul brought the passage to
the attention of his readers while reporting on the Republican convention at Dallas.
Indians immigrated to the USA to pursue their “DREAM” to achieve fully their
potentials in this land of “Opportunities.” They came in pursuit of their dreams,
visions, happiness and to achieve excellence....During the last few years most of
the people have changed from “Green card holder” status to that of “U.S. CITI-
ZENS,” thus enabling themselves to be full participants in socioeconomic and po-
litical processes. They have chosen, by their free will, the USA as the “KARMAB-
HUMI”—the land of Karma or action.Naipaul’s commentary on it is equally fascinating:
Texas as the theater of karma...what would Trammel Crow [Naipaul describes
this gentleman as the “real-estate king” of Texas] have made of that! But it was,
really, no more than a Hindu version of...fundamentalism, and in this Hindu
version certain things could be seen fresh. To embrace one ’s economic opportu-
nity and good fortune was more than a political act; it was also an act of religion.^13Texas and America interpreted as thekarmabhumi—the place where actions could pro-
duce merit or demerit—is a new idea in the topography of Hinduism. According to
Manu and other lawmakers, the land of the Aryas and the land where the black ante-
lope freely roams was the only land that could be called karmabhumi. Some Hindus in
the United States—at least the Republicans near Fort Worth-Dallas—interpret these
references as signifying the land of spacious skies where the deer and the antelope play.
THE ARTICULATION OF A FAITH
symbols and their interpretation
Srivaisnava theology emphasizes the reality and tangibility of a temple, the deities
enshrined in it, and the importance of serving the lord in the temple. However,
many Hindus in this country, if one had to generalize, are wary of being known as