The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c3.72

c3.72

1. India and the World.—India was never shunted off from the main track of humanity's progress, but has always grown in contact with, by giving to and taking from,—the moving currents of the world's life and thought. India had no epoch of "splendid isolation" but, like every other country, had her values tested by the universal standard of merit measurement. So-called Hindu ideals there are none; there is nothing exclusively Indian in Hindu culture; any idea, fact or truth alleged to be the essential characteristic of the "spirit of Hindusthan" is at the same time the essential feature of the genius of other lands. Young India of today is, therefore, not to approach culture or *dharma* in terms of geographical limits or indigenous, i.e., national race-ideals but drink of it and add to it as a growing stream of universal life-promoting truths;—thereby compelling the world's recognition of its powers and services as a living member of the human race.