South Africa is one of the nations having a sizable Hindu
diaspora.
This is especially true in Natal province, where Hindus were
initially imported as indentured agricultural workers, but Hindus also have a
large presence across the nation.
South Africa is most recognized for being the location where
Mohandas K.
Gandhi initially devised and polished his nonviolent
resistance program, or satyagraha, which he used to help the Indian people
there.
In modern times, the South African Hindu community, like
many other Hindu diaspora communities, has relaxed religious links with India
and is creating a Hindu religious life in a different geographical location.
In traditional Indian cosmology, space is one of the five elements,
along with earth, fire, water, and wind.
Akasha, or "space," is defined as the space
between or inside observable things on Earth, rather than "outer
space." An "empty" pitcher, for example, was really full with
space until it was displaced by some liquids.
This primitive perception of space was therefore closer to
what we may call the "atmosphere," and it was even thought to have
fluid-like qualities.
Each of the elements is connected with one of the five
senses in certain philosophical traditions; in this case, akasha is related
with hearing since it is said to transport sound from one location to another.
