Author Archives: Grant Harris

Hindu Proverb

Nationality: Indian
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: LA
Performance Date: 04/19/2019
Primary Language: Hindi (urdu)
Language: English

Main Piece:

Original Text (Hindi):

बुराई उसे उखाड़ फेंकेगी जो एक परोपकारी मित्र की सलाह नहीं मानता।

(buraee use ukhaad phenkegee jo ek paropakaaree mitr kee salaah nahin maanata)

 

Literal Translation (English):

Evil will befall him who regards not the advice of a benevolent friend.

 

Background:

Informant is a 22-year-old USC student from India. His parents raised him as a Hindu, but he does not practice the religion while at school. The proverb was told to the informant by his parents when he was a young child

 

Analysis:

The idea that bad things happen to those that do not listen to their friends is a powerful message for the Hindu religion. The religion is very peaceful, yet they believe that one is basically cursed if they do not heed the advice of their friends. This demonstrates how much wisdom Hinduism believes one can learn from their friends. This proverb provides the reasoning for which all Hindu’s should respect each other and learn from one another.

Hindu Proverb

Nationality: Indian
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: LA
Performance Date: 04/19/2019
Primary Language: Hindi (urdu)
Language: English

Main Piece:

Original text (Hindi):

“एक् और एक् ग्यारह् हॊते है”

(ek aur ek gyarah hote hei)

 

Literal Translation (English):

“One and one makes eleven”

 

Translation:

There is strength in unity.

 

Background:

Informant is a 22-year-old USC student from India. His parents raised him as a Hindu, but he does not practice the religion while at school. The proverb was told to the informant by his parents when he was a young child

 

Analysis:

The idea that one and one makes eleven is an interesting way of viewing the strength that comes from numbers. In a way, this proverb claims that the strength of two people working together is more than five times more powerful than having two work separately. This speaks volumes to the emphasis that Hinduism places on harmony and sharing the work between all people.

Hindu Marriage Ritual

Nationality: Indian
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: LA
Performance Date: 04/19/2019
Primary Language: English

Main Piece:

According to the informant, the equivalent to saying vows in a wedding ceremony and saying I do to each other, the pandit (Hindu priest) says prayers while the bride and groom hold hands and walk around a fire seven times to signify the seven lives that they are going to spend together.

 

Background:

Informant is a 22-year-old USC student from India. Her parents raised her as a Hindu, but she does not practice the religion while at school.

 

Analysis:

The seven lives come from the fact that the Hindu religion involves the reincarnation of the soul when one dies. The couple is destined to marry each other within each of their seven lives. In the view of the informant, the ritual should change with each reincarnation with the couple walking one less time around the fire to represent each life they have lived together.