Namaste
If society has its attention taken by an obvious crime, and this case of rape has taken the attention of not only those in India who are outraged by it but is being covered here in the US not only in the news but also a subject matter of radio and satellite talk shows listened to by millions, and though I am not aware of whether it is the attention of Europe, South America, or Asian countries, etc., I do know that it has notable attentions that spans national boundaries even despite the initial efforts perhaps of some Indian officials to moderate or even hush-up the awareness of what happened, such attention often becomes a driver where the input and attention of "religious leaders" and forums are sought after for some guide.
It is a heavy burden for those who have been given a mantle of religion (or in some cases taken the mantle themselves, which may not always be productive). "Religion" is in itself a controversial word, I do not equate it with the same as "Hinduism" or truth, and so on (IMO). But that is the word used, and in context of that, and in context of this particular crime against Hinduism in these rapes, I would hope that those who have this mantle would see this as an opportunity (as complicated and perhaps controversial the word "opportunity" is in the context of the horrific events that occurred) - an opportunity to give comfort to the victims, to the victim's families, to be an example of exemplary and wise words that try to give hope, not add to fear that another will be the next victim, that try to give light, not add to the fear that another dark event is awaiting them as well, that the flame of violence (which is what rape is) is only to be used to protect the soul and not to rape the soul, and as is often the observance of those who are gripped by such an event as the attention of so many all over the world that those who are now looking right at this event and those who respond to it can understand that more often than not, it is not "religion" to blame nor is it a problem with the "faith" but only the "faithful" when it fails to give the enlightened response.
This is the opportunity to assure that such crime is rejected by Hinduism, to make the message simple and clear and even if the breadth and depth of Hinduism is so very deep as it is, to just use the opportunity to focus on this answer that rape is wrong no matter what. I know this seems to be the consensus (whether "consensus" even matters) of this one thread, I hope this is the answer to those who are looking. So the opportunity is there, that if there are some who want to stoke the avenues of others who might want to use such violent conflict of their own internal conflicts against women in this way, it is a better council to use the opportunity to stoke and promote justice and peace. I am not even so sure as to whether those who did this horrific crime did so out of total loss of self-control or passion, or more so due to these internal conflicts that are inside of a sickness of society today that plays out into these violent acts of disrespect for others and in particular to women.
One side of the "religion" often likes to talk about the importance of respect. You must respect this "class" or that "duty". But respect is earned (of course), and respect is taught in many ways. Today, I get in my car (sometimes with my family) and I go out into a world that is sorely lacking all respect on all fronts. If my window to my car is down, it seems there isn't even 1 hour that will go by with some other car pulling up next to me, blasting the most vile and disgusting "music" with lyrics about abusing women, killing police officers, sex antics, rap and other forms of violence in music, and the "broadcast" is obviously not intended for the listener of the car who is blaring this garbage out (and for some mentally deficient reason of the one blasting it) but for the purpose of trying to force everyone around them to "ha ha! listen to this! he he! you all listen to this and LOOK at me!"...
This is more and more a total breakdown in respect within our society. And part of this is, selfishness. The ugly soul who is blasting this vile from their car, they are selfish. They are only about themselves. They want you to look at them, "Look at me!". The attitude. No respect for others.
This is a moment now, when large parts of the world are looking at you who may have the mantle of "religion" or Hinduism, to keep it simple and direct so that we see respect prosper. There is not need to deviate from a very simple answer in this case. I am glad everyone agrees (I hope so!) that this was a horrific crime. That rape is nt given continence - because respect is important. This is an opportunity for those who have such a mantle, and for those who are looked at you as "layman" such as myself, to see the response is about reconciliation and justice, inspiration for such, a bridge and chasm against ignorance, fear and misunderstanding, and against disrespect for women. I am not even sure what "equality" means in one way. The number one may be equal to one. But that is a number, a measure. No one soul is so simple. What is the Sanskrit word for "equal"? Why add so much complexity at a time when a clear answer is all that is required? The crying of a krauncha bird that inspired the verses that captured the Histories of the Ramayana came from a bird that may not be equal to an eagle, or equal to you. But what is this "equal"? The events happened. Then and now. Righ tnow, I was sort of hoping to hear about peace-loving, anything that can counterbalance this. So I guess it seems that I am told Hinduism teaches that this case, these rapes, what happened here, is wrong. That it is a crime.
So for any women reading this thread, the "consensus" is, you should not be raped while here in a human body on this world called Earth. That is disrespectful. To say the least. I am glad to learn these things from those who want to teach them or voice an authority on the matter, because I am not an authority.
Today I think of Mother Annapurna. She is wanting to give physical and spiritual food. Lord Shiva begged alms from Her.
Om Namah Sivaya
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