Hinduism has always had a "great tradition" and "little traditions". But there has never been any clash between the two. There is a symbiotic relationship between popular Hinduism, the Pandit's Hinduism and the Yogi's Hinduism between mantra, tantra and yantra; between philosophy, mythology and ritual. Ordinary Hindus do not argue, but they understand.

Hinduism has innumerable aspects. Its followers tend to relate to that aspect of it which matches the circumstances at a given point of time.

Today, Mahant Aviadnath, successor to the hallowed seat of Guru Gorakhnath, seems to identify Hinduism with shakti as represented by "Rama, Shivaji and Guru Govind Singh".

It is significant that every Hindu god, with the solitary exception of Brahma, has a wife, a vehicle and a weapon!

The traditional Hindu approach to religion is inclusive. The BJP, RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad are not bothered by any non-existent "contradiction" between the great tradition and the little traditions.

The RSS has followed a national, integrative approach. There was a time when Sanatanis and Arya Samajis used to carry on acrimonious debates in Punjab and elsewhere. But the moment RSS arrived on the scene soon the old controversy was over. The BJP has inherited this integrative tradition and so has the VHP.

It can be argued that while the traditional Hindu approach is integrative, and not confrontationist, the VHP attitude favours the latter In any case, the VHP is not only Mahant Aviadnath; it is also Kanchi Maharaj and Chinmayananda, Deoraha Baba, Ashok Singhal, V.H. Dalmia and Rajmata Scindia.

The Indian intelligentsia has been less than fair to the RSS - and to itself - in seeing the RSS as solely anti-Muslim. The reality on the ground is that RSS has brought all castes, classes, sects and language groups together on the same platform. It is true that the RSS has not yet brought non-Hindus to this platform. But I have no doubt that this can be done.

(Source: K.R. Malkani's letter in Times of India, New Delhi)