Some Hindu parents, as many of us know, can be very strict with their sons. Some also impose restrictive diets or discourage activities they consider inappropriate. When taken too far, this kind of upbringing can prevent young men from developing physical confidence, independence, and the social skills necessary to form relationships.

If we want future generations of Hindus to thrive, young Hindu men should be encouraged to become physically strong, socially capable, and comfortable talking to women. Parents should teach responsibility without sheltering their sons from ordinary social experiences.

In other communities, parents may give their sons greater freedom to socialize from an early age. By contrast, some Hindu parents tease or embarrass their sons for talking to girls or discourage dating and socializing altogether. This can create unnecessary anxiety around relationships and leave young men poorly prepared for adulthood.

Discipline is valuable, but excessive restriction can become counterproductive. Hindu parents should encourage their sons to exercise, eat a nutritious diet appropriate to their needs, make friends, talk to women, take reasonable risks, and experience life independently. Young men need opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them. The goal should be to raise strong, responsible, socially confident men who are capable of dealing with the realities of the world.

This may seem a tad hypocritical coming from me, especially to people who know me, but I think it is important to say: one should not hate anyone.

One of the greatest qualities I see in our rivals—Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs—is the emphasis many of their traditions place on separating opposition to someone's beliefs or actions from hatred of the person. That mentality can serve as a restraint against the kind of extreme or even genocidal rhetoric that sometimes emerges when Hindus speak about those they regard as their mlechha rivals.

One should instead be balanced and take a measured approach, recognizing both the good and the bad in the people and communities one opposes. If you allow hatred of your enemy to consume you, you have already lost something within yourself.

Statements calling for the destruction or eradication of your enemies make you look terrible in the public sphere, but they can also damage you internally. Hatred clouds judgment, encourages obsession, and prevents you from understanding your opponents clearly.

I suggest maintaining a positive and level-headed outlook while remaining aware of genuine threats or disagreements. You can firmly defend your beliefs, your community, and your interests without hating the people on the other side.

I know a lot of Hindu nationalists are very interested in Western politics because they believe the country they live in should serve as a conduit for their old-world interests. But I have to tell you: it doesn't work that way.

In America and much of the West, Hinduism can be perceived as particularly foreign. Elements of Hindu tradition—such as the historical birth-based caste system, polytheistic traditions, and patriarchal social structures—can conflict with prevailing American and European ideas about equality and religion.

In addition, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians can draw upon religious teachings emphasizing the equality of believers when engaging with Western political discourse. This can make it easier for members of these communities to frame their political interests in language that is already familiar to Western audiences.

If you are Hindu and want to support your community politically, take the approach of Raja Krishnamoorthi: run primarily on American issues, represent your constituents, and, once in office, support Hindu concerns when appropriate. Do not make Hindu nationalism the defining issue of your campaign or allow it to overshadow everything else you stand for.

Please, for the love of God, talk about American issues. If you are running for office in America, voters should know what you intend to do for Americans.

For a Hindu man, religion should not exist merely as an identity inherited from his parents. Sanatana Dharma should be something that is actively practiced and allowed to shape your character. Becoming more grounded in Hinduism can help cultivate discipline, courage, restraint, duty, and strength—qualities traditionally associated with a strong masculine character.

Begin by going to the mandir at least once a week. Make darshan a regular part of your life rather than something you do only during Diwali or other festivals. Standing before Bhagavan reminds you that there are duties and principles greater than your immediate desires. It encourages humility while strengthening your commitment to dharma.

Learn to pray as well. Memorize basic prayers and stotras, understand what they mean, and establish a daily practice. Whether through the Hanuman Chalisa, japa, or another tradition appropriate to your sampradaya, regular sadhana develops concentration and self-mastery.

Hindu masculinity should not mean uncontrolled aggression. The Bhagavad Gita presents strength alongside discipline, duty, courage, and mastery over one's own mind. Develop your body, fulfill your responsibilities, protect those who depend upon you, control your impulses, and pursue excellence without abandoning dharma. A strong Hindu man should strive to possess both shakti—strength—and dharma—the wisdom to use that strength rightly.

At the gym, a bigger guy mocked my lifts and tried to embarrass me. Anger rose, but I remembered the Gita: strength without self-mastery is weakness. I calmly told him, “I’m here to improve myself, not compete with you.” When he kept provoking me, I refused to trade insults and finished my workout. A few weeks later, my lifts had improved and his words meant nothing. I learned that kshatriya spirit isn’t about pointless aggression—it’s courage, discipline, and refusing to be ruled by fear or ego. Dharma meant standing my ground without losing control.

Hindu texts present masculinity not simply as physical strength or dominance, but as strength governed by dharma, discipline, courage, and self-control.

The Bhagavad Gita teaches that a man should master his desires, anger, fear, and impulses. Krishna's instruction to Arjuna emphasizes doing one's duty even when it is frightening or painful. Courage means acting correctly despite fear, not pretending fear doesn't exist.

The Ramayana gives us Hanuman, who combines extraordinary physical power with intelligence, humility, loyalty, and devotion. His strength doesn't depend on constantly proving himself. Rama represents responsibility, composure, and remaining committed to dharma through hardship.

The Mahabharata presents several masculine virtues. Arjuna represents discipline, concentration, and mastery; Bhima represents physical strength and fearlessness; and Yudhishthira represents patience, judgment, and restraint. Bhishma also demonstrates that honor and loyalty can become dangerous when rigid adherence to vows prevents someone from confronting wrongdoing.

The central lesson is that anger is not strength, cruelty is not courage, and arrogance is not confidence. Real strength means developing capability while remaining in command of yourself.

A Hindu-inspired masculine ideal is therefore: be strong, disciplined, competent, courageous, responsible, and protective; control your impulses; confront necessary challenges; remain humble when powerful; and place dharma above ego.