Is Hinducentric view the only antidote to Eurocentric view?

Upto the middle of the twentieth century, it was common to take a world view through the prism of Eurocentricity. Here it is to be remembered that even in pre-Christian days, people like Socrates pioneered rational thinking. However, he was ahead of his time & was poisoned. Dante, in his "The Divine Comedy", placed him in the first circle of hell because he was not a baptised Christian. 

The Stoics, the most famous of whom was the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (author of "Meditations"), also propounded ideas similar to the later Buddhism. Hypatia, a Pagan philosopher, was torn to pieces by a Christian mob. However, Charles Kingsley, a Christian clergyman (& author of "The Water Babies") wrote an adulatory biography of her life & times.

Buddhism, with its ten perfections, belief in reincarnation & defining "Nibbana" (Nirvana) as the goal of life, offered an alternative to Hinduism. Jainism, with its 24 Thirthankaras (enlightened souls), also offers an alternative path, with emphasis on self-mortification.

So instead of polarising between Eurocentrism & Hindu centrism, it may be prudent for the well-read, who are aware of the preceding movements, to take a multi-centric view to arrive at a holistic approach towards understanding this world.

Worshippers & Lovers of God

It may be paradoxical but there is a world of difference between the two. The worshippers do so because they expect worldly benefits like health, wealth, power, status or progeny as a reward. Their true goal in life is to obtain the above by lawful (or even unlawful!) means & when they fail, worship God as an additional last resort. The quintessential examples are the politicians doing the "Temple Run" during critical phases of their careers.

As repeatedly noted in the Upanishads, Christ's teachings, & even in one instance in the Quran, humans cannot get "the peace beyond understanding" by the above. In fact they have to be abjured to get real peace. "Thou shall not serve both God & Mammon" admonishes the Bible.

The real lovers of God are those who give up everything, repeat EVERYTHING for God. The Hindu, Jain, Buddhist & Christian monastics (both monks & nuns) & the odd sufis like Rabia of Basra exemplify this truth. The sine qua non is to give up the most desired things & embrace voluntary poverty & celibacy & true love of God will follow.

Coconut & Areca nut trees: A Metaphor

To pluck coconuts, one has to climb the tree, pluck the nuts, slither down to the ground & repeat the process on the next tree. 

However, though the areca nuts are also located near the top of equally high trees, highly experienced climbers need not get down after plucking. 

Because of the relative slimness of the tree, their flexibility & closer planting to the next tree, after climbing up the first areca nut tree, reaching & plucking all areca nuts within reach, the climber need not clamber down.

He can sway the tree with his weight, bend & grasp the next tree near its top, get on to it & pluck its nuts. This process can continue with the next tree within reach, until the climber feels tired, when he can slither down that tree & reach the ground. By this means, the climber can avoid climbing down & clambering up each tree.

But human achievements in any field are like climbing a coconut tree. To achieve knowledge, one has to start from ground level & painstakingly work his/her way to the top. To master another discipline, one again has to start from ground zero. Eminence  in one field cannot be transformed to excellence in another, like jumping across the top of an areca nut tree.

One may master Law enough to become CJI & even enjoy music. But one cannot speak with the authority of a Pandit Ravi Shankar. A Scientific Advisor may enjoy watching cricket but cannot talk as if he is Sachin Tendulkar.