Is it right or wrong to prohibit women from going to Sabarimala Devasthan ?

‘Women in the age group of 10 – 50 years (women in this age group have menses), are prohibited from going to Sabarimala Devasthan in Kerala since ancient times. One lady questioned Shri. Gopalakrushnan, office bearer of ‘Travancore Devaswam Mandal’ in this context. On this, he had replied that women would be allowed when a machine is invented to find out whether woman-devotee visiting temple is menstruating or not. Nikita Azad, a college student from Kerala has started a movement on social media called ‘Happy to bleed’ to protest against that reply. TV channel like ‘ABP Maza’ has started making noise about women emancipation. Sanatan’s perspective on this issue is given below.

1. Two important reasons for creation of such row 

A. Shri. Gopalakrushnan should have given answer to this question in decent language. Had he explained the ‘Dharma-shastra’ behind prohibition on women from going to this temple, such row could have been avoided.

B. Leftist parties, which are presently not in power in Kerala, are undertaking such futile movements and its examples are – ‘beef festival’, ‘Kiss of Love’, ‘happy to bleed’ etc. Movements like ‘Right to discard burqa’ or ‘Right not to give talaq’ are never even thought of.

2. Reason behind prohibition on women from entering Sabarimala Devasthan   

A. Bhagavan Ayyappa is created from the Principle of Bhagavan Shiva and ‘Mohini’ incarnation of Shri. Vishnu. He observed celibacy throughout His life. Women from the age group of 10-50 years are not allowed there to honour his celibate life.

B. People observing vow of Bhagavan Ayyappa Swami has to observe celibacy for certain period. The rules for observing such vow are stringent and during such period only, they go for ‘darshan’ to Sabarimala Devasthan. There should not be any distraction for people observing such vow is also one of the reasons behind such prohibition.

3. Spiritual reason behind women not going to Devasthan during menstruation period

A. Spiritual Science analyses every act in Dharma-shastra based on ‘trigunas’ viz. ‘Sattva (Purity)’, ‘Raja (Activity)’ and Tama (Ignorance)’. As per spiritual science, there is increase in ‘Raja’ component in a woman who is menstruating. Such woman when comes in contact with any ‘sattvika’ person, place or thing, the ‘Raja’ component decreases and it can lead to cutting short her menstruation period; so to avoid that, she should not go to temple or for ‘darshan’ of Saint since there is possibility of stopping of her menstruation cycle at the age of 30-35 years owing to ‘Sattvikata’. If menstruation cycle is stopped, her capacity to bear children also reduces. ‘Dharma-shastra’ therefore, insists for woman following the rules of menstruation for woman to bear fine children.

B. There is lot of ‘sattvikata’ in a temple due to the idol of Deity. ‘Raja’ component increases in a menstruating woman. In such situation, that woman cannot bear the ‘Sattvikata’ in a temple and faces lot of distress if ‘Raja’ component is high. A woman with less of ‘Raja’ component, suffers less.

C. There are two types of ‘sadhana’ explained under Hindu Dharma viz. ‘Karma-kaanda’ as per the path of devotion and ‘Upasana kaanda’. Performing ‘puja’, going for ‘darshan’ in a temple, observing different vows, sacred fire, reading of ‘strotras’ come under ‘Karma-kaanda Sadhana (ritualistic spiritual practice)’. When such ‘sadhana’ is practised, following all rules of ‘Dharma-shastra’ viz. menses, observing ‘soyara-sutak’, ‘shauch-ashuach’ etc. is necessary.

4. Why only Hindu Dharma is targeted by activists fighting for woman emancipation ?        

Women are not allowed to enter the famous Hazarat Nizam Durgah and Jama Masjid in Delhi (which is the biggest mosque in India). At Haji Ali Durgah in Mumbai where Muslims offer ‘chadar (cloth-sheet)’, women are not allowed. Few women devotees filed a case in Court; but no decision was taken by Court in the matter; except advising petitioner to decide by discussing the issue with the concerned. Why the ‘woman-emancipation’ activists never raise voice against this ?

5. ‘Dharmacharan’ is the root of happiness !

‘Sukhasya Moolam Dharma:’ means Dharmacharan (abiding by Dharma) is the base of happiness. Therefore, people loyal to Dharma follow everything as per ‘Dharma-shastra’. If one wants to follow this path, its rules and regulations should also be followed since it gives spiritual benefits. If one starts doing whatever one wants, it can give mental satisfaction but no spiritual benefit.

– (Paratpar Guru) Dr. Athavale (30.11.2015)