After Shani Shingnapur, it was the Ayappa Temple at Sabarimala which came into mainstream media and entire social media was also flooded with heated debates around restriction on women (during Menstruation period) to enter Temple! I was carefully observing the arguments from both sides and felt similarity at both the ends on one aspect – FAITH! Most of the arguments from both sides lack enquiry into the subject or research! Conservatives rejected the Supreme Court decision and Rationalists accepted it with equal Kgs of Faith!

 

Equality is one of the core values of modern society and it has helped us to eradicate many age old evils. The development of Science & Technology and of the modern stable democratic Nations and societies have further strengthened and underlined the importance of equality. “Rationally,” it was easy to pluck the low hanging fruits and bring equality against the discrimination based on Caste, Gender, Education, Residence etc. Now its time to put it to test against deep rooted traditions and especially religious traditions and Entry or Restriction to (Menstruating) women to the Temple is a starting point. Heavens are bound to collapse in the rational world of 21st Century. However, any haste in brushing aside all traditions just because we do not have time to invest and find out the rational will be going against same scientific spirit of enquiry!

 

In many Hindu Temples, there is restriction on women (during menstruation period) to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum or to perform pooja (worship) or for meditation! This is picked up by the rationalists as a case of “inequality” and Supreme Court has also given decision in their favour which has caused lot of dissatisfaction among the devotees. Each Temple has its own Tradition based on beliefs and local customs; however, there are few traditions which might have common ground across and the present case a classic example to consider.

 

The basic foundation of Hindu society, its customs, traditions and its way of life in short is based on four purushartha i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kaam & Moksha! All these four are interwoven in such a way that an individual can fulfil his/her worldly dreams and gradually move towards attaining Cosmic Identity / enlightenment (Moksha)! Hence, while studying any Hindu tradition one should look at the entire system of Four Purusharthas, any research in isolation will lead to incorrect outcome.

 

Hindus are Spiritual and not religious and hence seeking or search of the ultimate truth is the basis of almost all traditions in India and faith comes second. This quest led to the development of many streams of knowledge and philosophy over thousands of years. As Searching the Ultimate reality of the existence of life and entire universe needs long life and hence there was extensive research in the field of Medical sciences (Ayurveda) and we saw greatest Physicians (Charak) and Surgeons (Sushruta) as early as 2-4 Century AD. It also gave rise to Yoga which specializes in the knowledge of Vital Forces (forces which influence the physical as well as subtle body sheaths) of life. 

 

Ayurveda and the Yogic scriptures have clearly stated that “Prana” is the Vital force which not only holds the humans but the entire universe! Prana is further divided into five types of Vayu – Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyan and Apana.

 

Vayu is NOT Air as translated by few English authors, rather it’s the Vital energy flow in the body. According to the yogic tradition these five major currents of vital force that run through the body and organize it’s physiological functioning is known as the Pancha Vayu Model.

 

If you think about your day-to-day functioning, you will see that it follows a predictable pattern: you take things in (food, water, information, experiences); then you process them one way or the other; then you absorb the nutrients or knowledge from the processing; you eliminate the stuff that you don’t need; and as a result you grow, both physically and mentally. This is an example of your vayus (currents of prana) at work.

 

Limiting our focus on the topic of discussion, let us consider only two types of Vayu here – Prana and Apana!

PRANA vayu is responsible for the INTAKE. It moves downward and inward, providing the basic energy that drives us in life. It is primarily located in the head, lungs and heart. It Is linked with the Anahat Chakra (heart Chakra). Eating, drinking, and breathing are all prana vayu activities. Imbalances in Prana flow can show up as anxiety, fear, anger (head); breathlessness, asthma, insomnia, apnea (lungs); heart palpitations or stroke (heart) etc.

 

APANA vayu is responsible for ELIMINATION. It moves down and out. It is primarily located in the lower abdomen Elimination of waste as faeces, gas and urine is done by Apana Vayu. Also, ejaculation of sperm, Monthly menstrual cycle for women and expulsion of foetus during childbirth is done by Apana Vayu. Imbalances in Apana flow can show up as constipation/diarrhea, IBS; menstrual problems, sexual issues; bone density issues.It is associated with Muladhara chakra, the root chakra, connected to the earth so that it may receive the energy no longer needed. 

Apana, which is aligned with the force of gravity, moves downward resulting in disease, aging, death and the diminution of consciousness. Prana, which is aligned with the air and space elements, disperses upward through the mind and senses. This leads to loss of mind-body coordination and devitalisation. 

 

Uniting these two primary vayus results in strengthening our energy along with awakening our higher faculties. Yogic practices work to raise Apana up to unite with Prana and draw Prana down to unite with Apana, which occurs in the region of the navel – the pranic center of the body. Udana vayu, or “ascending air” directs prana from lower to upper chakras. Udana vayu is the channel that leads from lower to upper levels of consciousness, carrying the energy of kundalini—the dormant energy awakened through yoga practice—up through the chakras as it ascends. It is the Udana which dissolves prana and apana, stopping their outer and inner flow in order to bring them together in the middle current, the sushumna (Spinal Cord), resulting in Samadhi, which is the highest Goal of Meditation / worship in Hindus! It is the highest state of consciousness which results in the union of individual soul with the almighty!

During worship / meditation the Apana Vayu (energy current) is directed upwards from the lower Chakras and it is clear from yogic & Ayurvedic scriptures that any change / obstruction in the natural downward flow of Apana Vayu leads to menstrual problems! This is the reason that women are asked to not to worship even at home during menstruation. Same logic is applied for men (& women) while passing urine / faeces as the natural (Apana) energy flow is downward. 

There were many practices which were added as restrictions for women during menstruation period. However, society has already rejected / discarded all those restrictions which were not scientific or no more required as the physical and hygiene conditions are improved. However, it’s time to understand that nature has NOT created Man and Women Equal in terms of Biology! And real Equality is @ “Treating unequal people unequally”!!! 

Those who want to know more about Panh Prana (Five Vayu) and their location in the body, functions, diseases caused due to obstruction in the natural flow and benefits if balanced properly can read Ayurveda, Yoga Vashihta Yogasutra by Patanjali etc. All Kundalini meditations are based on Pranic Balance and all pooja or worship in Temples is a preparation for the more difficult meditation practices and hence certain restrictions are part of holistic or integral to the entire ecosystem for self-realization or enlightenment. One must understand that there are restrictions for men well and hence picking one issue in isolation and judging it basis single dimension of Equality is unfair!

Its high time for Hindus to have an enquiry into the traditions and understand the rationale behind it, there might be few traditions to be discarded due to the development of human civilization on materialistic front, however, there might be many traditions which can be beneficial and passed on to the next generations not only in India but across the boundaries. Let’s leave the current topic under discussion to the wisdom of women of our country either to accept or reject!