Bhadrapad Krushna Paksha Trayodashi, Kaliyug Varsha 5116
Alert Hindus recently notified Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) (a devout Hindu Organization registered in USA) regarding an online game called “Smite”. The game features Hindu Deities Goddess Kali, Lord Agni, Lord Vamana, which trivializes them. As well, there are misrepresentations concerning the Deities. A few examples of denigration in the Smite game can be viewed in the below videos :
Video that denigrates Hindu Goddess Kali : www.youtube.com/embed/197ejmCUipE
Video that denigrates Hindu God Agni : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_aGSGzkysU
Video that denigrates Hindu God Vishnu’s incarnation “Vamana” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6tCDVPhpYM
Forum for Hindu Awakening contacted Smite and explained how it is incorrect to use sacred Hindu Deities in a game. To this, FHA received a response from Todd Harris, the Chief Operating Officer of Hi Rez Studios that has created the Smite game. In the letter, he justified the use of Deities, saying that “children are actually more motivated to understand cultures (their own and other cultures) by seeing characters in a modern media like games. This motivates many to do further research.” In contrast, Smite’s youtube videos generally display the warning, “May contain content inappropriate for children.” This shows a double standard and disregard for Hindus’ religious sentiments. Forum for Hindu Awakening wrote back to Todd Harris emphasizing the issue of denigration, as follows :
“At the spiritual level, due to the form of the Deity not matching its Hindu scriptural description, it does lead to denigration of the Deity. Hindu Scriptures have specifically mentioned the science of consecrated idols (Murti vigyan) for each form of a Deity. Also, God or His forms (Deities) are the highest for Hindus. Showing them as characters of a game trivializes Them. In the minds of the children, a fictional, trivial image of the Deities will form over a period of time and hence, it will obstruct the development of their faith in the Deities, which is most important in worshiping Deities and experiencing Their presence and blessings.
Just as the image of water comes to mind when we think about water, that is, just as the form and energy of an object go together, so also, it is with the Deities. Since the attributes of name, odor, taste, form, touch and sound associated with a Deity go together with Its energy, a trivialized image of a Deity will release negative energy. It will affect children’s mentality and their spiritual aura, for which Smite will be responsible.
Forum for Hindu Awakening requested Todd Harris to remove the Deities from the game, but there has been no response since then. Hence, Forum for Hindu Awakening now appeals you as devout Hindus to protest against this denigration peacefully and lawfully.
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