Sabarimala: an ego lens

Part II: http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/11/sabarimala-debate-analysis.html

I'd earlier argued that freedom of speech must be legally absolute, while individually one should speak truth, keep an open mind for dissent & be civil.

However, why are people behaving the way they are behaving in the Sabarimala episode? Are some people just choosing to be evil while others are good? Why would some choose to be evil?

The answer is simple. No one thinks of themselves as evil. All of us see ourselves as good & doing good. This includes some of the worst tyrants in history; they were sure of their correctness.

When we are asked to do something, the nature of the mind is to rebel. Why should I do what you're asking me to do? Who are you to ask me to do this?

A few decades back, in South India, it was common for every married woman to wear a Mangalsutra chain, flowers in her hair, a bindi on her forehead & wear bangles; which were symbols of marriage. In a personal story, a relative of my friend rebelled against this tradition. Who are you to ask me to wear it? I will not do so. Years later, her husband died. Now, she decided. Why am I not supposed to wear these? I will now do so.

It is simply fashionable the mind to think of itself as a rebel and do the opposite of what it is asked to do.

Why do we behave in this manner? Because it is in the nature or our ego & mind to do so.

The ego manifests itself in multiple aspects. We look different, behave different and think different. In addition, the ego attaches itself to different labels. I am a woman, therefore I'll vote for a woman (or vice-versa). I'm a man & I want to look cool to society & to myself, so I'll support women over men any day, even if such support becomes unjust to men. Let us say, you drive a BMW car. Someone says: "These BMW drivers are snobs". Your ego attached to the BMV car will react. This can happen if someone insults your favorite color, gender, political party, political leader, religion etc.

Do you have a faith? How does your mind feel when someone from a different faith converts to your faith? Imagine the reverse. How does your mind feel now? Why does your mind feel the way it feels? Search for: Convert to from . Look at the comments on any popular write up or video. Why do people react the way they react? This is because the ego is attached to that faith.

The greater the attachment of the ego to any identity, the greater the reaction when that identity is threatened.

There are around six known temples with restrictions on women & five known temples with restrictions on men, among millions. On a women's day out, is it decent for men to insist on coming? Or vice-versa? The devotees were traditionally fine with special traditions on some special temples. This was an act of decency.

The women & non-Hindus who filed the court petition & the journalists who wrote against this tradition were not devotees & were unfamiliar with the local tradition. They simply believed that by reforming the tradition of 1 temple amongst millions, they are bringing about a positive revolution. The Supreme Court of India which admitted the petition is an unelected body, where judges are appointed through an opaque political process. Four judges were from the North, unfamiliar with the tradition and the one judge from Kerala was not a Hindu. Who doesn't like to form policy for lesser mortals to follow? This power should be used sparingly. All male judges believed that they are civilizing the natives and ruled against the tradition, while ignoring addressing the opposing arguments in their judgment. The only dissent was from the female judge, who actually understood it. None of these players had any 'skin in the game'. The court also believed that they were bringing about a positive revolution (assuming good intentions).

Were all the women who wanted to enter Sabarimala recently devotees? Their social media posts (writing about sex in front of the deity, posing with drinks/cigarettes, refusing to even say Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa, carrying sanitary napkins) clearly indicates that they did not observe the voluntary 41 day difficult Vratham (austerities) and that they were not devotees. Why did they behave this way? The non-devotee non-religious feminists were convinced that the restriction was because women were considered unclean & they wanted to break this tradition. In their mind, they were doing the right thing. The non-Hindu but religious folks who wanted to enter had an identity of their own right religion & wanted to desecrate the shrine, because religiously, that's the right thing to do. There was probably an additional incentive of getting into record books; a huge boost to the ego.

The communist government which selectively pounced on this verdict and used Hindu donations to file petitions against the Hindu tradition, with non-believers sitting on the temple board, are convinced of the evil of this religion, without which this world would be a better place. Bring about true equality by trampling upon this regressive tradition. In their mind, they are right.

The devotees (including the women devotees) who protested against the judgment had their attachment to the tradition under threat. Who are these outsides who don't understand us but who want to trample upon our tradition? This ego is under threat. Protest! The communist government responds. How dare they defy us? Another ego under threat. I'll show them my power. Arrest thousands, violently injure & kill devotees, vandalize their vehicles, set a high bail which they can't pay, bring new temple rules, setup media bans, trample the tradition in whatever means possible.

The feminist journalists simply portrayed this as a patriarchal issue, ignoring the nuances. Women were oppressed & it continues! Ignore any data to the contrary. The non-Hindu religious journalists simply reported this negatively or ignored any story that didn't fit with their narrative. Let the heathens figure out how powerless their God is. Maybe they will then turn to the one true God.

Individually, our mind & ego is so powerful, that it sometimes feels like there is nothing we can do. Even people who meditate for years struggle. Collectively as well, this dance of the world's mind & ego is very powerful & creates conflict. It looks like this world is doomed.

However, the light of soul & truth is silent & strong. It will eventually shine through, and lift us individually and lift the world towards eventual liberation, however much the mind & ego will struggle. There is no escape.

In this entire episode, so many people have constantly thought of Ayyappan through various emotions. Per Sambhrama Yoga, even a hateful thought of God is liberating. Ayyapan's word & fame has continued to spread to places who were unaware of him. Maybe this is his divine play.

Fundamentally, the 41 day Vritam is an observance of Yama & Niyama, two angas (limbs) of Patanjali's Ashta-anga Yoga. It is a difficult spiritual penance. Ayyappan is also in a Yogic pose in Sabarimala.

May Swami Ayyappan help the light or our soul shine through quicker. Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa.

Part IV: https://vedham.blogspot.com/2019/01/sabarimala-skin-in-game-analysis.html

References:
http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-yoga-of-hate.html
http://vedham.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-veils-of-soul.html

Sabarimala: a debate analysis

Part I: http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/10/sabarimala-freedom-of-speech-analysis.html

I'd earlier argued that freedom of speech must be legally absolute, including the right to insult, abuse & mock anything, while having an individual goal of Ahimsa (not hurting).

What happens if the truth is going to mentally hurt someone? What if that person is a friend as well? Should you not speak the truth?

Speaking the truth is Dharma. Ahimsa is also Dharma. When two Dharmas conflict, this is a Dharma Sankatam. How do we resolve this?

A controversy arises when two opinions collide. This can happen at an individual level or at a larger level of society or nations. Should we avoid all controversies? Just be silent? Hey, life is short. Let's have fun, talk about only fun stuff and avoid all these controversies. Is this the right approach? It is only a matter of time before some controversy affects us. Civilization is a fragile thing. There are always barbarians at the gates. The more vigilant a society is, the better it can preserve civilization.

If what you think to be the truth really the truth? Is it simply an opinion? Is your ego & mind simply masquerading an opinion as the truth? Or is it well thought out & backed by facts? If this is indeed the truth, why is the truth going to hurt?

Thiruvalluvar (in his Thirukkural) advises us to make friends with those whose truthful advise may even make us weep when we do something wrong. The truth may hurt if one's mind & ego are very attached to something that is not true. The higher the attachment, the higher the hurt. Conveying the truth in a gentle manner is preferable to lying or remaining silent.

Ok, so I know in my heart that my faith is the only true faith. So, can I gently guide these poor ignorant souls towards the truth?

Examine this in more detail. How do you know that your faith is the only true faith? My book says so. How do you know that your book is true? My book or my prophet says so. How do you know that your prophet is correct? My prophet or my book says so. This is an example of circular flawed logic. Atheism also cannot logically prove non-existence; it is also fundamentally just faith. It is easy to confuse opinion with truth.

Given that it is better to express an opinion that you believe is correct, what to do when a contrary opinion is encountered? Our level of attachment to our original opinion & our state of mind will determine our reaction. The first reaction of the mind is incredulity. What? Really?! You believe that?! That is so patently untrue. Ignore the moron. Or mock and ridicule. Or get upset. Or get angry. Abuse & insult.

What is the right way to respond? Let us take a leaf from ancient India, from the Nyaaya Sutras.

Vaadham is debate or discourse. Vaaku Vaadham in Tamil means a verbal debate. Vivaadham means a debate (in Samskritam & Tamil).

Sam Vaadham is a good debate. When there are two contrary opinions, the truth is in one camp, or another, or somewhere else. What is the truth then? Finding the truth is a sacred process. Coming into a debate with an open mind and respect for your opponent, first the rules of debate and the accepted ways of obtaining knowledge (Pramaanams) are defined. Once an argument is stated, the debater has to restate the argument to the satisfaction of his opponent who originally framed the argument. This is called Purva Paksha. Next comes Uttara Paksha, where the argument is logically dismantled & a counter argument is made. Finally, a debater accepts defeat. This seems inconceivable looking at the quality of today's debates. Some of the greatest philosophical debates of ancient India were called Sam Vaadhams.

Another type of debate is called Jalpa Vaadham. Here, I am convinced that I am right. My only purpose of debating with you is to show that you are wrong, I am right and convert you to my opinion. I will never lose the argument. If I get a good argument, I'll change the premise, the goal posts, introduce irrelevant material, sarcasm, witty rejoinders.

The other type of debate is called Vithanda Vaadham. This is the verbal equivalent of a street fight. No rules apply. Abuse, insult, name-calling, interruptions, disallowing the opponent to speak, all dirty tactics are used in this case.

In the infamous game of dice in the Mahabharatha, once Draupadi is lost, she raises nuanced questions on the nature of her wager. Instead of answering her questions, Dusshasana brutally drags her to the Sabha (court) of Dritirashtra. Dritirashtra is the blind king. He is not just physically blind, he is blind to Dharma (justice) & Neeti (law), and blind in love towards his own sons.

Draupadhi represents herself in the Drithirashtra Sabha & makes nuanced arguments. Instead of logically answering her arguments, the opponents indulge in Vithanda Vaadam, name calling & claiming the absolute binary correctness of their position. Bhishma subtly clarifies her arguments & Vikarna, a Kaurava, explicitly calls out that her arguments are correct. At this point, Karna intervenes & incites Dusshasana to disrobe her.

Rashtra means a country or state. Drithirashtra represents a blind state, that is blind in justice towards its own citizens. Draupadi is the wronged citizen whose nuanced arguments are dismissed by oppressive opponents with a binary mindset. Vikarna is the intelligent person, who can see justice in arguments, though being on the opposing side. Karna represents the media or public opinion that wrongly incite. Dusshasana represents the state forces that humiliate & strip the common people of all dignity.

What does this have to do with Sabarimala? Multiple people have made convincing nuanced arguments regarding the shrine. Good arguments were made in the court of the Supreme Court of India, where the lawyers (Sai Deepak & Parasaran) adroitly & logically answered every argument thrown at them by the judges. The judges, when writing their judgment, simply went ahead & wrote what they wanted to write, without addressing any of the opposing arguments. The state communist government, most of the English India & international media simply chose to ignore these arguments, presenting a flawed narrative of patriarchy. This is Vithanda Vaadham.

The communist state government (which doesn't believe in God) while choosing to appeal other judgments or not implement them, is implementing the judgment with alacrity. It manages the temple boards of Hindus alone (not other religions) & denied them permission to file an appeal. This is the Dritirashtra Sabha.

Thousands of devotees were imprisoned. When five urban Naxals (communists) were imprisoned on an assassination plot (doing a Rajiv Gandhi, per their intercepted letter) on the Prime Minister, the court granted them bail with the message that dissent was the safety valve of democracy. Their imprisonment received international coverage. When over three thousand eight hundred devotees (including women) were arrested with a high bail amount, there is deliberate silence. Does the state really have evidence to charge & imprison thousands of people? This is a blatant violation of civil rights. Protesters (including women) have been injured & one protester has been found dead. Their vehicles were vandalized by the police. Section 144 (curfew) has been imposed by the collector, PB Nooh. The pilgrim route has been blocked. Devotees have been restricted, infringing on their freedom of religion rights. A media ban has also been imposed. This is certainly not what the court ordered in its judgment. There is no outrage, no awards being returned, only deliberate silence on events. The naked hypocrisy of the state & the media is on full display.

May Swami Ayyappa help all of us protect Dharma. Swamiye Charanam Ayyappa.

Part III: https://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/11/sabarimala-ego-lens.html

Notable Hindu women

Status of women:

• O women, you are a lioness. destroy the enemies of ignorance, immaturity, negativity and savagery for the welfare, purity & happiness of all.– (Yajurveda 5.10)
• O women, u r a lioness. We resolve to do everything for ur respect & glory. U r a lioness that leads to the birth of great legends in society, that nurtures intelligence & bravery, who provides bliss & prosperity. we appoint u for the welfare of all living beings.(Yajurveda 5.12)
• You don’t deserve to be defeated by challenges & obstacles. on the contrary, you possess the power to defeat the stiffest challenge. defeat the enemies & their armies. you have valor of thousands of men. realize your true potential & demonstrate your valor.–(Yajurveda 13.26)
• O Women, you have tremendous potentials. You are as stable as this Earth. You are the mother for the entire world. U support the world & Society. Protect the world from deviating to wrong paths, stabilize the world and ensure that there is never any violence.–(Yajurveda 13.18).
• O Brave Women, obtain training in martial arts & warfare. Unleash your potential and destroy the enemies. capture them and do not mercy on those who spread hatred and vices in society. imprison them.–(Yajurveda 17.45)
• I am the flag of the Nation. I am the head of the society. I am brilliant. I am loved by my husband. But in Battle-field, I demonstrate exemplary bravery that destroy the enemies.–(Rigveda 10.159.2)
• "A woman is pure. Nothing about her is impure. Without her, no man would exist"- Kokashastra 
• "Where women are revered, there the Gods rejoice"- Manusmriti
• "Women have an unparalleled means of purification & they never become sullied, for month after month their menstrual flow washes away their sin. The Moon granted them purification; Gandharva-a sweet voice & Fire-the capacity to eat anything. Women, therefore, are free from taint"-Baudhyana Dharmasutra 2.4.4-5
• RigVeda(6.61.4) says ~ 'प्र णो देवी सरस्वती वाजेभिर्वाजिनीवती। धीनामवित्र्यवतु॥ (ऋषि-भरद्वाजो बार्हस्पत्यः) The goddess of learning(Saraswati), endowed with divine virtues, powerful and protector of intelligence, may protect us by bestowing strength on us. Atharvaveda describes her as the symbol of Dharma or truthful behaviour.
• महर्षि मनु says in मनुस्मृति (2.145) that the rank of one Acharya (principal) is equal to 10 ordinary teachers, the rank of one father is equal to that of 100 acharyas. The rank of one mother is equal to that of 1000 fathers. Because a learned mother inculcates in her children good संस्कार and education as a प्रथम गुरू.
• Manusmriti(3-56) यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः । यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफलाः क्रियाः || Wherever women are honoured, there is heaven(abode of Devas) and where they are not, there all activities fail.
• "Woman is creator of universe.
  She is the body of the universe.
  she is  foundation of three worlds.
  Essence of our body.
  There is no jewel rarer than woman"-
  Shaktisangama Tantra 
• "Hindustan is the only country in the world whose women are well versed in the laws of religion, nature and medicine. In erudition, their women could put to shame any scholar from Baghdad and Rum(Rome)" -Abd-al-Razzāq Samarqandī (15th century)
  
• Women of Vijayanagara recorded possessing property with financial independence, well dressed, safety enforced with strict laws, educated, contributing to literature, learned in arts, music, dance, finance, accounts, astronomy, astrology, cooking, guards, martial arts.
• विद्याः समस्तास्तव देवि भेदाः  स्त्रियः समस्ताः सकला जगत्सु । - "All sciences [and] all women in the world, with various attributes, are aspects of the Divine." - Mārkandeya Purāna 81-93
• “May you be empress and lead all.”~ Rig Veda 10/85/46
• “O brilliant woman, remove ignorance with your bright intellect and be the provider of bliss to all.”~ Rig Veda 4/14/3
• “O woman, may you be strong and powerful as a rock. May you gain the brilliance of the sun and have a long prosperous life that benefits all.”~ Atharva Veda 14/1/47
• “O woman, realize your potential. You are a lioness who can destroy criminals, ignorance, vices and protect the noble ones.”~ Yajur Veda 5/10
• “O woman, you provide bliss and stability to the world. You are the source of valour.”-Yajur Veda 10/26
• “O woman, you are as strong as earth and are on a very high pedestal. Protect the world from the path of vices and violence.”~ Yajur Veda 13/18
• “O woman, you do not deserve to be defeated by challenges. You can defeat the mightiest challenge. Defeat the enemies and their armies. You have valour of thousands. Please us all (by upholding Dharm).”~ Yajur Veda 13/26
• “May the scholarly woman purify our lives with her knowledge, noble actions and guidance.”~ Yajur Veda 20/84
• “Noble woman motivates us to be on the path of truth, love, and harmony.”~ Yajur Veda 20/85
• “O woman, you are the motherly force that provides direction to our life.” ~ Rig Veda 2/41/16
• “The way a powerful river breaks down even the strongest of rocks and hills, in the same manner, an intelligent woman destroys the fraud propagated by perverted ones. May we bow to such intelligent women.”~ Rig Veda 6/61/2
• “Whenever I am hurt emotionally or physically, woman – as a mother, wife, sister – provides the healing touch and rejuvenates me. I bow in humble respect to her.”~ Atharva Veda 7/57/1
• “Noble woman motivates us to be on the path of truth, love and harmony.”~ Yajur Veda 20/85
• Ritual for getting a scholarly daughter. अथ य इच्छेद्दुहिता मे पण्डिता जायेत, सर्वमायुरियादिति, तिलौदनं पाचयित्वा सर्पिष्मन्तमश्नीयाताम्; ईश्वरौ जनयितवै ॥ १७ ॥ - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 6.4.17
• Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira on women

Women education & rituals:

• Upanayan or Yajyopavit Sanskar signifies that hereafter the boy or girl shall start the pursuit of Vedic knowledge and in modern terms shall begin his/her formal education.
• Gobhilleya Grihyasutra 2-1-19 says "PRAAVRITAAM YAJJOPAVEETINEEM ABHYUDAANAYAN JAPET SOMO-ADADAT GANDHARVAAY ITI" i.e. the bride were required to wear yajyopavit
• During ancient times Upanayan Sanskar was performed on the girls and they used to study Vedic texts as is evident from the Smriti Chandrika and Sanskar Prakash “पुराकल्पे हि नारीणां मौञ्जीबन्धनमिष्यते| अध्यापनं च वेदानां सावित्रीवाचनं तथा ||” 
• As per Prasar Sanhita and Smriti Chandrika, there are two kinds of women - those who are brahmvaadinees and the other sadyovadhu. Brahmvaadinees whose ritual of upanayan has been carried out are required to perform Yajna, study the Vedas and those who conduct themselves in charity(bhiksha vritti). While Sadyovadvah women who used to get married early were required to go through Upanayan ceremony before getting married.
• Baanbhatt the famous poet of 7th century writes in Kadambari about Mahashweta that her body is pure because of wearing a Brahm Sutra BRAHM SUTREN PAVITREEKRIT KAAYAAM.
• Atharvaveda in Brahmacharya Sukta (11.5.18) says “A girl after having completed her studies and after having fulfilled her pledge of celebacy finds a youth as a suitable match for her.”
• धार्मिक education including performance of अग्निहोत्र and other rituals was a part of women's day to day life.
• Rigveda calls upon women to learn this all - यज्ञं दधे सरस्वती ॥ (Rig 1/3/11)
• Rituals which are conducted with a wife - 'पत्नीवन्तो नमस्यं नमस्यन् ।।' (Rig Veda 1/72/5).
• The Shatapatha Brahman calls her "Yosa Vai Saraswati" and invites wise women for Yajna(1/5/9).
• Katyanana & Patanjali refer to female teachers.

10th century CE, woman writing on a notebook. Chandela rock art, Khajuraho

Philosopher women:

• Ubhaya Bharathi: Judge of the debate between Mandana Mishra (espousing Purva-Mimamsa) & Adi Shankara (espousing Uttara Mimamsa/Vedanta). Also, Mandana Mishra's wife. She judges that Mandana has lost, but demands another debate with Shankara with herself. Unable to defeat Shankara in philosophy, she questions him on householder life. Shankara requests time & comes back to answer her questions, wherein she admits defeat. Worshipped as Sharadhambal (a form of Sarasvati) in Shringeri.
• Hemalekha: Young, beautiful, wise wife enlightens her husband, Rajakumara Hemachuda through graded steps, starting from the basics, by dissecting the truth behind love, beauty and pleasure experienced in the world in the Tripura Rahasya. Later, the entire kingdom is enlightened & is full of Jivanmukthas.
• Gargi Vachaknavi: Debates with Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, venerated as Brahmavadini.
• Maitreyi: Discusses philosophy with Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
• Lopamudra: Rishiki with contributions to the Vedas & Lalitha Sahasranamam.
• Ghosha: Rishiki contributor to the Rig Veda.
• Devahuti: Rig Veda Rishka, mother to Kapila Kardama-the founder of Samkya
• VakAbarini: Rig Veda Rishka
• Sulabha: Yogini who wins a philosophical debate against the great philosopher king, Janaka in the Mahabharatha.
• Akka Mahadevi: A Virashaivite devotee of Shiva, debated philosophy with mystic & poet Allama Prabhu.
• Mukta Bai: Philosopher & sister of philosophers Nivritti, Jnaneshwar & Sopan.
• Avvaiyaar: Tamil poetess & philosopher. Around 300 BCE, 100 verses of Avvaiyaar made it into Tamil Sangam texts like Puranaanuru. Also famous for the social reformist verse: there are only two Jatis (tribes/castes), the charitable & non-charitable. சாதி இரண்டொழிய வேரில்லை...
• Andal: Tamil poetess & philosopher. Worshipped as an Azhvar-the highest Vaishnavite saint.
• Meera Bai: Queen saint & poetess who is worshipped.
• Kanhopatra: Courtesan saint & poetess worshipped in the Vittala temple.
• Lalleshwari (Lal Ded): Kashmiri Shaivite saint & poetess.
• Gangasati: Gujarati saint poetess.
• Janabai: Dalit saint & poetess worshipped.
• Sarada Devi: Saint & mystic, wife of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
• Rani Rashmoni: Philanthropist. Constructed Dakshineshwar temple, later associated with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Repaired Ghats on the Bhagirathi river banks (distributary of Ganga). Handsome endowments to the Hindu College (now Presidency College) & the Imperial Library (now National Library). Constructed road from the Subarnarekha river (flowing past Jamshedpur) to Puri for devotees.
• Dokka Seethamma: Fed people off her personal funds for charity her entire life. Declined invite from the English king citing Nishkamya Karmana (charity without expectation & publicity). Honored as Apara Annapurna. Aqueduct of Vynateya river named after her & marked with her Vigraha.
  
• Rig Veda references 30 Rishikas.
• Name/Number/Mandal/Sukta/Richa
• Aditi (4.18)
• Aditi Dakshayani (10.72)
• Apala Atreyi  8/91/1-7/6
• Dakshina Prajapatya 10/107/1-11/12
• Ghosha Kakshivati 10/39-40/1-18/8
• Godha 10/134/7/17
• Indramatra 10/153/1-5/20
• Indrani 10/86/1-23/10, 10/145/1-6/18
• Juhu Bramhajaya 10/109/1-7/14
• Lopamudra 1.171, 1/179/1-6/3
• Ratri Bharadvaji 10/127/1-78/16
• Romasha 1/26/7/2
• Sarama Devashuni 10/108/2,4,6,8,10,11/13
• Sarparajni 10/189/1-3
• Shashwati 8/1/38/5
• Sashvatyangirasi (8.1)
• Shachi Paulomi 10/159/1-6/21
• Shradhda Kamayani 10/151/1-5/19
• Sikata Nivavari (9.86)
• Surya Savitri 10/85/1-47/9
• Urvashi (10.85) 10/95/2,4,5,7,11,13,15,16,18/11
• Vagambhrni 10/125/1-8/15
• Vasukrapatni (10.28)
• Vishvavara Atreyi  5/28/1-6/4
• Yami Vaivasvati 10/10/1,3,5,7,11,13/7

Warrior women:

• Malwa Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar: Martial artist. Defended against invaders. Rebuilt & restored multiple destroyed Hindu temples, notably the holy Kashi Vishwanatha temple destroyed by Aurangzeb, the Somnath temple destroyed by Ghaznavi, the Gaya Vishnupad temple & the Varanasi Ghats. Restored tirthas & irrigational tanks. Built pilgrimage housing. She used her inherited property for these efforts rather than state funds. An ascetic, she would sleep on the floor while constantly doing nama japam (repeating holy name) of Shiva. Paramahamsa Yogananda, the second person to introduce Yoga to the west after Swami Vivekananda, has called Ahilyabai the greatest woman of modern India.
• Ullal Rani Abakka Chowta: The first queen to rebel against a colonial power & the first woman freedom fighter. Martial artist. Successfully repelled the colonial Portuguese.
• Velu Nachiyar: The first queen to rebel against the British East India company. Martial artist & multi-lingual scholar. Successfully recaptured the throne of Sivagangai. After her, Sivagangai was ruled by the Marudhu Pandyar brothers who made the first known pan-India nationalist proclamation. They resisted against the British East India Company & won some battles. They lost other battles and surrendered when the Kaalaiyar Kovil Shiva temple was threatened to be blown up. They were tried & hanged in front of the temple. Sivagangai came under the control of the British East India company.
• Kuyili: Army commander (of the Udayal Padai) of Velu Nachiyar & first recorded woman suicide attacker, who destroyed British ammunition.
• Travancore Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi: Abolished slavery in 1812, 22 years before the British, 53 years before USA, 150 years before Saudi.
• Kittur Rani Chennamma: The second queen to rebel against the British East India company. Martial artist. Won battles against the British but later lost.
• Keladi Rani Chennamma: Resisted Aurangzeb's army & provided safe passage to Rajaram, son of Shivaji.
• Maratha Rani Tarabai Bhosale: Daughter-in-law of Shivaji, warrior queen & cavalry general who wrested back Maratha territories & once Mughal provinces from Aurangzeb. Unsuccessfully rebelled against Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.
• Gondwana Rani Durgavati: Rajput princess who rebelled against family tradition & married the Gond tribal prince, Dalpat Shah. Won battles against Baz Bahadur (Malwa Sultan), Miyana Afghans & Mughal Akbar's army and killed herself when losing a battle & wounded by two arrows in her ear & neck. Her death day is celebrated as a festival. Asif Khan's forces would later defeat & kill her son, Bir Narayan (who was carried to safety after getting injured in Durgavati's final battle), capture Chauragarh (the capital) & send Durgavati's sister, Kamalavati to Akbar's harem.
• Gond Rani Avantibai: At age 26, defeated the British EIC in the Battle of Kheri, 1857. Resisted fiercely & died in a subsequent battle with the British in 1858.
• Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai Manikarnika: Women freedom fighter who fought the British East India company in the pan India 1857 rebellion. Martial artist. Formed Durga Dal, a female batallion that would be emulated later by Subhash Chandra Bose's INA. Organized women medical corps. Died fighting the British at age 29.
• Jhalkari Bai: Advisor to the queen, Lakshmibai. Soldier. Commander of her own regiment. Fought as a body double to the queen (& killed) facilitating her escape. Her death anniversary is celebrated as Shahid Diwas by the Kolis.
• Uda Devi: Dalit Veerangana who participated in the 1857 rebellion. Sniper, who killed 32 British soldiers. Every Nov 16 on her death anniversary, the Pasi Jati community gather to pay her tribute.
• Mahabiri Devi: Dalit Veerangana who formed groups of female resistance units who fought agains the British.
• Belawadi Mallamma: First recorded women's army. Fought Shivaji's Maratha forces. Defeated & captured, Shivaji praised her, apologized to her, released her & restored her kingdom.
• Chaulukya Rani Naikidevi: Trained in warfare & strategy, defeated Muhammad Ghori (14 years before he defeated Prithviraj Chauhan) leading the army with an infant child. An inscription records: "during the reign of Mularaja even a woman could defeat the Hammira [Amir]"
• Garhwal Rani Karnavati: Repelled Shahjahan's attacks, built monuments & waterways. After defeating Shah Jahan, she cut off the noses of the captured soldiers & was called Naak Kati Rani. Mughals never attacked her kingdom again, owing to her mercilessness.
• Chittor Rani Karnavati: Ruled & fought Bahadur Shah. Killed herself when defeat was imminent. When Chittor was attacked, she sent a Rakhi to Humayun, stating that she considered him a brother & requesting help against Bahadur Shah, who Humayun was already fighting against. Bahadur Shah wrote to Humayun that he was waging Jihad, asking Humayun not to intervene. Humanyun chose not to help his infidel 'Rakhi sister' (Source: Mirat-I-Sikandari). The Rajput Sisodias fought valiantly but lacked Bahadur Shah's artillery leading to their defeat. One year after the pillage of Chittor by Bahadur Shah, Humayun arrived to collect taxes & punish his enemies. https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/894410652671856640
• Onake Obavva: Fought Haider Ali's forces (killing many) with a pestle & celebrated as an epitome of Kannadiga pride.
• Unniyarcha: Legendary warrior of North Malabar. Expert in Kalaripayatu (martial arts) & the Urumi (flexible sword). Singlehandedly brought down an Arab slave trading gang of Nadapuram Jonakas Mapillahs who were misbehaving with women. Tactical advisor & martial arts trainer.
• Rani Mula Gabharu of Ahom Kingdom fought against the invading army of Turbak Khan in 1532.
  
• Kalpana Datta: Part of Surjya Sen's armed rebel force against the British colonists.
• Sushila Didi: Revolutionary & Indian freedom fighter against British colonists. 
• Durga Vohra: Freedom fighter against British colonialism.
  
• Lakshmi Swaminathan Sahgal: Captain of the Rani of Jhansi Indian National Army regiment founded by Indian freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose. Women given military training to fight against the British. Janaki Thevar was one of the members.
• Chalukya Rani Lokamahadevi: administrator, warrior, & patron of music & dance. Built the magnificent Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal, dedicated to her husband & honored all the artists who built it.
• Madurai Rani Mangammal: A popular queen regent known for public constructions. Provided refuge to Rajaram & decided to pay tribute to avoid military action.
• Madurai Rani Meenakshi Nayak: Last queen of Madurai.
• Thiruvazhumkode Rani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi: Popular queen & social reformer.
• Chittor Rani Padmini: Only one cryptic contemporary reference by Amir Khusrao, Alauddin Khilji's poet. In a later ballad Padmaavat, was a warrior who rescued her treacherously abducted husband, later kills herself when defeat is imminent. Sculptures exist of Padmini in military gear (with a curved sword & shield).
• Gulab Kaur: Freedom fighter with the Gadar party.
• Harita Kaur Deol: First woman to fly solo in the Indian Air Force.
• Sada Kaur: Warrior & diplomat who unified Punjab & served as Regent under Maharaja Ranjith Singh.
• Mai Bhago: saint warrior, well trained in boxing, martials & swordsmanship who led & fought against the Mughals.
• Kakatiya Rani Rudramadevi: Kakatiya dynasty Queen who was raised as a boy & posed as a man in her early life. Won multiple battles. Built the Golconda fort. The famous Kohinoor diamond was mined in Golconda & was originally adorning the Devi Bhadrakali's crown in her temple in Warangal. Rudramadevi's grandson, Pratapa Rudra succeeded her. He resisted and lost the first southern Islamic invasion by Alauddin Khilji. During this invasion, the Bhadrakali temple was destroyed and the diamond looted. It passed to the Mughals and was ultimately usurped by the British. The Darya-e-noor diamond came from the Kollur mines owned by the Kakatiyas, which was stolen by the Khiljis to Delhi, later by Nadir Shah to Persia. It still resides in Iran, with the National Jewels of Iran. 
• Bhurshut Rani Bhavashankari: Queen in the current region of Bengal who defeated Pathans & brought peace & prosperity to her Rajyam (kingdom).
• Rampyari Gurjar: Warrior who trained 40,000 women warriors. Defeated & repelled Taimur.
• Rani Gaidinliu: Heraka Naga spiritual & political leader. Protested against the colonial British. Incarcerated for life at 16. Released after India's independence. Resisted conversions.
• Umabai Dabhade: Matriarch Senapati who once ruled over current Gujarat. Unsuccessfully rebelled against Pesha Balaji Baji Rao.
• Kashmir Rani Didda: Beautiful but born lame to Raja of Lohara, Simharaja. Yet, trained in martial arts. Beautiful. Married Kashmir Raja Kshama Gupta in 950 CE, regent to prince Abhimanyu after the Raja's death, ruling for 44 years. Pioneer of guerrilla warfare & multiple military victories. Defeated Muhammad Ghaznavi's army of 45k soldiers with 500 soldiers within an hour. Coins issued as Di-Kshem & Shri Didda with Goddess inscriptions. Kashmiris used 'Didda' to address respected women.
• The Mauryas had women bodyguards & soldiers trained in close combat.
• Hariyakka: wrestler who killed her father's killer. Vijayanagara culture had women wrestling watched by royalty.
• Durgawati Devi: Freedom fighter against the colonial British & philanthropist.
• Meenakshi Gurukkal: Contemporary Kalaripayattu practitioner who defeated male opponents at 76.
• Prabhavati Gupta: Daughter of Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty, wife of Rudrasena II of the Vakataka dynasty. Warrior, regent of the Vakataka empire, repelled the Saka invasion in Saurashtra. Her sons were educated by Kalidasa.
• Bhikaji Cama: Raised flag of Indian independence in Germany in 1907.
• Basanti Debi: Formed Nari Kumar Mandir to train women activists. Arrested in 1921.
• Maharani Jindan Devi: wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who fought against the British.
• Manipur Naga Rani Gaidinliu: Freedom fighter against the colonial British & missionaries.
• Sarojini Naidu: 1st Indian women Congress president, participant in Dharsahana Salt Works Satyagraha.
• Avani Chaturvedi: India's first woman fighter pilot
• Asha Devi, Bakhtavari, Bhagawati Devi Tyagi, Indra Kaur, Man Kaur, Raj Kaur, Shoba Devi, Umda

Women in Scriptures:

• Sita: Rama's wife, soft, compassionate yet firm when required.
• Draupadi: Conducts herself with immense dignity & logical arguments in deepest distress, in the Mahabharatha.
• Damayanti: Displays immense intelligence & composure: hoodwinks the Devas during her Swayamvaram, intelligently marries Nala, gets him out of hiding.
• Savitri: Learned, logically argues against Yama, the God of Death to get her husband, Satyavan back.
• Mandodari: Virtuous wife of Ravana, the villain of the Ramayana, who is celebrated as one of the Panchakanyas.
• Tara: Virtuous wife of the Vanara, Vali, celebrated as a Panchakanya.
• Kaikeyi: warrior woman & war charioteer of Dasaratha.
• Satyabhama: warrior woman & war charioteer of Krishna.
• Vishpala: warrior woman who lost her leg & was treated by the Ashvinis in the battlefield giving her an iron leg.
• Rani Pramila: Queen of a warrior society of women who captures Arjuna's Ashvamedha horse in the Jaimini Bharatham.
• Karaikkal Ammaiyaar: Philosopher & mystic Shaivite saint.

Women in Archaeology:

• "A dhanvantari from Sarnath from around the reign of emperor harShavardhana. It is rather remarkable in depicting surgeons & physician performing various procedures. On the left you can see a surgeon performing a colorectal procedure probably for arsharoga. Notable is the evidence for females in the medical profession of the age" https://twitter.com/blog_supplement/status/1169815071993802753

Women running schools:

• Hotee Vidyalankar was a Bengali Hindu widow. She was a scholar of Sanskrit Poetry, Law, Mathematics and Ayurveda. She established a School in Varanasi for women. She was awarded the title "Vidyalankar" by Kashi Pandits.
• Harkunwar Sethani was an orthodox Jain lady. She built Maganlal Karamchand School for girls in Ahmedabad. The construction was started in 1847 (completed 1850).
• Hotu Vidyalankar (RoopManjari Devi) (1775-1875) who studied Ayurveda, Charaka samhita and grammar.
• Anandamayee Devi (1752 - 1772)
• Priyamvada Devi (16th cent–17th cent)

Other accomplished women:

• Mata Khivi: Expanded the free food Langar system in the Gurudwaras with Langars known as Khivi ka Langar.
• Gayatri Devi: Gave up her kingdom to join the Indian union (independent from British rule), contested the first elections & won a record victory, that is recorded in the Guinness book of world records.
• Mysore Maharani Vani Vilasa: Commissioned the Shivanasamudhra hydroelectric project, donated land to start IISc.
• Kalpana Chawla: The first woman of Indian origin & first vegetarian woman to go to space.
• Indira Gandhi: The first woman prime minister of India. India has also elected several woman chief ministers.
• Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi: Ex-CEO/Chairwoman of PepsiCo. Multiple Indian women have successful careers in leadership roles in notable companies.
• Janaki Ammal: Botanist who bred a new sweeter variety of Indian sugarcane; has a flower named after her. Had an inspirational meeting with Gandhi, studied abroad, returned to India to reorganize the Botanical Survey of India. She's honored by a verse from the Rig Veda in her obituary.
• Ritu Karidhal: Rocket scientist & deputy operations director who worked on India's Mars mission, Mangalyaan.
• Anandibai Joshi, Kadambini Ganguly: India's first female doctors
• Shakuntala Devi: "Human computer" mathematician

Non Hindu Indian women:
Other cultures would be hard pressed to find such an illustrious list. Compared to other contemporary cultures, is it Hindu culture that inspired such women? This would be a good historical research topic.

• Razia Sultana: The only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate for a short period (4 years) & a warrior. The first recorded instance of abolishing the heavy Jizya tax imposed by Shariat law for non-muslims, against the advise of conservatives. Unfortunately, she was defeated & killed. Jizya was reimposed, until waived by the Moghul Akbar in his later ruling years.
• Chand Bibi: Ruler of Shia Deccan Sultanate who fought Sunni Mughal Akbar's forces.
• Once part of undivided India, Hindu places of Pakistan & Bangladesh have elected female prime ministers (Benazir Bhutto, Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia). All exhibit religious bigotry & fanaticism though.
• Sirimavo Bandaranayake: The first non-hereditary head of state in modern history, Sri Lankan prime minister. Controversial religious bigoted Sinhalese nationalist politician who catalyzed the Sinhala-Tamil civil war. Chandrika Kumaratunga was her daughter who also became the prime minister of Sri Lanka.
• Nur Jehan: warrior & strategist queen, wife of Jehangir.
• Amrita Sher-Gil: Hungarian Indian sorrowful painter of village customs.
• Cornelia Sorabji: First British-Indian lawyer, who faced great difficulties in graduating & practicing law, owing to conservative British Christian rules forbidding women in law. Brought up in a Christian missionary family, turns into an anti-national Hinduphobic religious bigot, though it was arguably Hindu culture that brought her so far.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal: Rebel along with Lakshmi Bai during the 1857 Indian rebellion against the colonizing British East India Company.
• Azizun Bai, Jamila Khan, Habiba, Rahimi

Goddesses: 

• Kali, Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kamakshi, Visalakshi, Meenakshi
• Valli: Strong willed consort of Murugan.
• Deivayani: Princess consort of Murugan.

References:

https://aeon.co/essays/before-the-canon-the-non-european-women-who-founded-philosophy

https://blog.vanamaliashram.org/blog/status-of-women
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1054742451959656449
https://twitter.com/MyTakeOn_/status/1054747130798125056

http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/04/when-shankara-first-met-mandana-humor.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargi_Vachaknavi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreyi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghosha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velu_Nachiyar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuyili

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbakka_Chowta

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kittur_Chennamma

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_Durgavati
https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Indian-History/Warrior-Queens-Rani-Durgawati-and-Naikidevi--1.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keladi_Chennamma

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar
https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Great-Indian-Leaders/Why-Ahilyabai-Holkar-was-a-GREAT-WOMAN---1.aspx

https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/971806393924661249

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belawadi_Mallamma

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi
https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Great-Indian-Leaders/Life-story-of-the-Rani-of-Jhansi-1.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_(Nayak_queen)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangammal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sethu_Lakshmi_Bayi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpana_Chawla
Amar Chitra Katha (on many of these personalities)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_Karnavati_of_Garhwal
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/894410652671856640
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_Karnavati
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_Padmini
https://shaktitva.org/blog/2019/3/8/unniyarcha-the-kalarippayattu-legend-of-kerala
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayatri_Devi
https://www.hindustanbooks.com/pdfs/6493883-Heroic-Hindu-Resistance-to-Muslim-Invaders.pdf (Naikidevi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mularaja_II (Naikidevi)
https://www.quora.com/Who-are-some-of-the-toughest-women-in-the-history-of-India-who-survived-and-proved-against-odds/answer/Satyarth-Routroy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razia_Sultana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpana_Datta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi_Sahgal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi_Regiment
https://www.thebetterindia.com/155758/janaki-thevar-rani-of-jhansi-regiment-ina-history-news/
https://www.mynation.com/news/guru-nanak-jayanti-notable-sikh-women-history-freedom-fighter-pilot-equality-pin6nu
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1066004527445360642
https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/the-towering-legacy-of-kallaiyaarkovil-why-it-must-rise-again
https://swarajyamag.com/lite/a-declaration-of-independence-you-have-probably-not-heard-about
https://twitter.com/Vaniraman20/status/960574594464690176
https://twitter.com/TNHRMOVEMENT/status/1055024259943276546
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&pg=PA399&lpg=PA399&dq=Trichy+Proclamation.1801&source=bl&ots=gyftb4CYtv&sig=WQDyK5Vk9T8FR_BL_cwYPhAkK-Y&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-PwLVe_9FIaSuASmtIHoBQ&ved=0CEgQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=Trichy%20Proclamation.1801&f=false
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/guest-column/he-wants-to-smash-brahminical-patriarchy
https://www.womensweb.in/2016/12/female-saints-of-india/
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Women_as_Rishikas_in_the_Vedas
https://twitter.com/VandanaJayrajan/status/1071820399812390912
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1075958316633796608
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/998126850302885890
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudrama_Devi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prataparudra
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koh-i-Noor
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/722075556825530368
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daria-i-Noor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrika_Kumaratunga
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirimavo_Bandaranaike
https://www.myindiamyglory.com/2017/08/25/indian-women-combat-martial-arts/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karaikkal_Ammaiyar
https://thewire.in/science/janaki-ammal-magnolia-edathil
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/03/08/701302574/three-indian-moms-went-looking-for-role-models-for-their-daughters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janaki_Ammal
Vani Vilasa: https://twitter.com/ACKComics/status/1104001835344502784
Savitri: http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/09/saptapadi-apadharma.html
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=5919
Prabhavati Gupta: http://indiafacts.org/pollocks-ramayana-a-review-i/

Indian independence from British colonial rule: https://twitter.com/dr_madras/status/1006499850865635328

https://twitter.com/vedicvishal/status/1202146712032174080 

https://twitter.com/vedicvishal/status/1318174220061347840

Caste: a brief overview

Overview:

The western colonial gaze reduced the millennia old Indian culture & religion to a prism of caste & Sati, generating atrocity literature internalized in academia, media & entertainment. Solution: such a dreadful tribalistic culture needs to be 'eradicated' & 'saved' by Christianity or Communism.

Every society & religion in the world had a notion of a caste system. Since they depict the religion negatively, prominent competing religions (notably those which ruled over Hindus & seek converts) have sought to erase caste in their depictions & have created a false narrative that caste based issues are unique only to Hinduism.

Summary:

The word Caste comes from the Portuguese word: Casta which means measure of whiteness.

Did you know that 'Sistemas de Castas' (System/society of castes) was used by colonizers to segregate the colonized in the Americas & Africa? These native cultures are now wiped out.

In Asia, one native culture survived being wiped out. Now, when you think of 'caste', what do you think of? Who created the classification: 'Scheduled castes' & 'Scheduled tribes'?

Europe had a seven-fold caste system of endogamous groups classified into labor groups by birth & inter-marriage, that had theological sanction as well, using the curse of Ham. This theology was followed by converted natives such as in Ethiopia. This justified slavery by birth.

Birth-based social hierarchy is a European idea where social privilege and rank was carried by birth. There was an explicit hierarchy of titles (which get passed down by primogeniture), such as: Archduke, Duke, Marquis, Count, Earl , Viscount, Baron , Lord, Gentleman. The "aristocracy" was based on blood and race privilege in the British system of peerage and the landed gentry was below this. "Landed gentry" were those who could live off of rental income from the underclass. The Mughals had similarly created "zamindari."

Interestingly, Megasthenes talks about seven divisions in ancient India had seven castes as well, in his Indica. The seven castes were sages, farmers, herdsmen, artisans, soldiers, overlookers & government officials. Notably different from the caste system in other societies, there was no slavery or bonded labor. Also, Megasthenes notes that these castes were not endogamous & this is divided by occupation rather than birth.

The system had a notion of jatis (tribes) & varnas (colors). There are 1000s of jatis and varnas. A Jati can be likened to family lineage or last name. The scriptures refer to Varnas but not Jatis. 

Different jatis were associated with different varnas. Throughout history, (unlike the European caste system), jatis shifted between varnas at different points of time.

The British called this jati-varna system the caste system, which they were familiar with. One key difference is the absence of slavery in the Hindu system. (Dasas were servants but not slaves). Cunning mistranslations translate Dasa, Dasya & Dasyus as slaves. This ignored Rig Veda's references to wealthy Dasyas who gave donations. They lived with their families and became judges, doctors & watchmen. Slaves on the other hand could have any of their family members sold at will.

In contrast, in religions & societies with slavery, the children were ripped away & sold/resold as slaves. Men/women/children slaves couldn't stay together & could be bought & sold at any time. Children were born into slavery.

Double standards were employed in writing text books, wherein a history of caste & slavery in other major religions (including scriptural theological sanction) were suppressed, while Hinduism alone was presented as oppressive, while ignoring the Hindu scriptural & historical references that opposed discrimination.

The core popular Hindu scriptural references emphasized oneness of everything & avoiding discrimination. These references are ignored in the mainstream narrative.
Main Hindu scriptures were written by Dalits (a post-modern constructed word derived from poor: Daridhra in Samskritam, Dalidha in Pali to Dalit). Many Hindu saints who are worshipped were Dalits.
Hindu saints recognized caste based discrimination & cited religious scriptures to reform.
Hindu scriptures recognized discrimination & called for reform.
Travelers to India before the invasions have talked about the lack of caste based discrimination in a liberal & wealthy society and also the existence of discrimination (San Zhang refers to untouchables living outside the city). After invasions when Hindu society was drained of wealth by oppressive rulers, discrimination appears to have gotten worse. While judging these societies, it is good to judge the contemporary societies in other parts of the world as well.
Hindu society has also acknowledged & atoned in terms of policies (reservations) & laws (atrocities acts). Other societies are not even close in acknowledging & atoning their atrocities.

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Details:

Dalit Hindu scriptural writers:
Valmiki, a hunter, became a sage & wrote the Ramayana. Veda Vyasa, the son of a fisherwoman (Satyavati), divided the Vedas & wrote the Mahabharatha & Bhagavatham.

Hindu reformers & prominent Dalit devotees.
Ramananda (originally a Brahmana) treated everyone equally & took Kabir (a Muslim tailor) & Ravidas (a Dalit tanner) as his sishyas (students). 

Kshatriya queen Mirabai took Ravidas as her guru & prostrated at his feet. 

Dyaneshwar was the Guru of Visobha Khechar, who was the Guru of Namdev, a tailor by Jati. 

Adi Shankara prostated at the feet of a Chandala (Dalit) who enlightened him. 

Kannappa Naayanar who worshipped God with love but with forbidden things is recognized as Shiva's highest devotee. 

Ramanuja treated everyone as one. 

When Dalit devotee Thirupaanazhvar didn't want to enter the temple considering himself lowly, the Ranganatha temple door didn't open until he was carried into the temple by the priest himself on the orders of Ranganatha Swami, a ritual that was recently re-enacted. Thirupaanazhvhar is worshipped as the highest Vaishnavite saint, an Azhvar. 

Other great devotees are Gora Kumbhar-a Dalit potter, Chokhamela, a Dalit cattle-herder, Savanta-a gardener, Janabai-a maid servant, Damaji-A servant of Muslim rulers & Sajana- A Sindhi Butcher. 

Sree Narayana Guru used Vedanta teachings to reform a discriminatory Kerala society & was involved in the Vaikom protests which eventually led to temples thrown open to Dalits. 

Tamil Nadu had a long pre-modern history of non-Brahmin priests, but temples that had prohibitions were thrown open after Gandhi's call, such as the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. 

Birsa Munda was a prominent freedom fighter who fought to preserve tribal culture from British missionaries & saving cows. 

Madurai Veeran is a Dalit warrior who protected the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple & is worshipped as a deity across castes in Tamil Nadu, India. 

Dalit groups like Ramnamis embraced wearing a sacred thread, normally projected by political Dalit groups as a Brahminical hate symbol. 

Balram Das wrote poems on Lakshmi & the Lakshmi Purana, that is chanted by Ladies. 

Divakara was a prominent Dalit Sanskrit poet. 

Dayanand Sarasvati, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sahajananda & Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathi were other prominent social reformers inspired by Vedanta.

Maratha king Shivaji was the first king in the world to issue a proclamation against slavery & ended the slave trade by the Dutch, 186 years before the USA. 

Travancore Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi abolished slavery in 1812, the first queen in the world to do so, 22 years before the British, 53 years before USA, 150 years before Saudi.

Political Dalit figures:
Poykayil Johannan fought for the right of Dalits to enter churches, which Dalit christians were denied.

Fluidity of Varna:

Trishanku was a prince banished to become an outcaste. Viswamitra was a Kshatriya who became a sage. Buddha was a Kshatriya who became a sage. Prasenajit (king during Buddha's time) was of low Jati birth, who became a Kshatriya once he gained power. Multiple low Jati kings became Kshatriyas while Kshatriyas who lost power were relegated to Dalits. Satyavati, the fisherwoman who became queen, in addition to Veda Vyasa (a sage), gave birth to Kshatriya princes (Chitrangadha & Vichitryaveerya). Rama's ancestory, Asamanjas, born a Kshatriya became a Shudra.

Scriptural references:
Non-prominent scriptures that refer to discrimination:
The Manu Smriti does have discriminatory verses. However, no primary source exists, and there are a few conflicting secondary sources. The much maligned ManuSmriti talks about giving much higher levels of punishments to the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas & Vaishyas in comparison to the Shudras for similar offenses, which is reverse discrimination. Smritis, by definition, are for a certain place & time & there were thousands of Smritis that were in use in different regions & times.
The other oft-cited scriptural incident is the Shambukha incident in the Uttara Ramayana, wherein Shambukha, a Shudra was killed unjustly by Rama. However, research shows that this obscure scripture (which mainstream Hindus are unfamiliar with) was a later addition to the popular Ramayana which ends with the coronation of Rama.
In mainstream Hindu practice, discriminatory verses & scriptures have naturally disappeared in popularity & public memory. The non discriminatory verses & scriptures exist in public Hindu consciousness.

Prominent Scriptures that reject discrimination:
Advaita, Dvaita & Visishta-advaita talks about oneness of everything with God in everyone. Krishna in the Bhagavath Gita states the varnas are not by birth but by gunas (qualities). Yudhishtira says the same in the Yaksha questioning episode in the Mahabharatha. Rama has Guha (a boatman) & Vanaras (non human apes) as his friends in the Ramayana. In the Srimath Bhagavatham, Rantideva, when tested, gave offerings to a Chandala and hugged him, showcasing oneness of everything & praised by God. Uddhanka refused an offering from a Chandala & fails to gain God's grace. Guruvayurappan took the form of an invisible buffalo for a Dalit devotee who worshiped him as a buffalo. Udupi Krishna turned around for the greatly respected & worshipped devotee, Kanaka Dasa (from the Kuruba shepherd community) & is worshiped from the back till today. Kanaka Dasa's guru was VyasaTirtha, who was also the guru of Purandara Dasa. Purandara Dasa was from a merchant community & the author of the basics of Carnatic Sangeetha Shastras, which are taught till today. The Nandi in a Shiva temple moved aside for Nandanaar. The Kapaleeshwarar temple has a depiction of Shiva coming to accept offerings as a Chandala, is slighted by the Brahmanas who punishes them.
All these are prominent scriptural references that are ignored to create the current narrative.

Scriptural references to Varna
Per Srimath Bhagavatha Puranam, there was originally one Varna called Hamsa. (Hamsa is also a mythical bird that can separate milk & water, implying one with this nature can discern the good from the bad). Later, owing to the effect of the Tri Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), the four varnas of Brahmana (Sattva predominant), Kshatriya (Rajas predominant with Sattva), Vaishya (Rajas predominant with Tamas) & Shudra (Tamas predominant with Rajas) were formed. Rig Veda (Purusha Suktha), Manu Smriti, Bhagavath Gita, Mahabharatha all talk about svabhavas (inherent nature) & varnas. There is reference to birth & svabhavas of parents determining the child's guna in the early days of the human race. In later days with intermixing, it is explicitly stated that one's Gunas & Svabhavas (inner nature) determines their varna.
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad explicitly states that Shudras are superior to Vaishyas, who are superior to Kshatriyas. Per this Upanishad, one who studies three Vedas will get a progeny with dark skin & red eyes, two will get a brown skinned progeny & one will get a pale skin.

Other religious systems are also ignored.

Christian Caste system:
Royals, Knights, Nobles, Commoners, Slaves, Cagots (Untouchables). As late as the 18th century, a cagot had his hand cut off & nailed to a church door for touching a water font. Untouchability practices led to various customs.

Among the Royals were these endogamous castes: Duke, Marquees, Earl, Viscount, Baron, Baronets, Knight, Esquire, Gentlemen. Heretics/Heathens (non-believers) were dehumanized, persecuted & wiped out.

Kerala Christians had prevalent slavery. In 1845, Enathikkal Thomman purchased a Pulayar Dalit slave for Rs.21. This continued until the Travancore Rani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, abolished slavery, 22 years before the British, 53 years before USA, 150 years before Saudi Arabia.
The Dutch East India Company also indulged in slave trade of children.
Slaves were scripturally threatened with punishment for running away. St.Theodore is the patron-saint of missing slaves in the religion.

Islamic Caste System:
Ashraf (High caste): Saiad/Sayyid/Syed, Sheikh, Pathan, Moghul, Mallik, Mirza
Ajlaf (Low caste with internal class divisions): Pirali, Thakrai, cultivating Sheikhs, Darzi, Jolaha, Fakir, Rangrez, Barhi, Bhalhiara, Chik, Churihar, Dai, Dhawa, Dhunia, Gaddi, Kalal, Kasai, Kula Kunjara, Laheri, Mahifarosh, Malla, Naliya, Nikari, Abdal/Abdul, Bako, Bediya, Bhal, Chamba, Dafali, Dhobi, Hajjam, Mucho, Nagarchi, Nal, Panwaria, Madaria, Tunlia.
Arzal (Degraded caste): Pasmanda, Bhanar, Halalkhor, Hijra, Kasbi/Kasab, Lalbegi, Maugta, Mehtar.
Only a Qureshi can be an Islamic ruler & Ansars have to be servers (decided one day after the founder's death).

Akhdam untouchables.

Kafir (non-believer), Munafiq, Murtad.
Kafirs are considered as untouchables & unclean (Najas)-At Tawba 9:17, 9:28.
Slavery: Slaves were traded in slave markets in Kabul. Only non-Muslims could be slaves, per Major Henry. Slaves were traded as late as 1970, though outlawed in the rest of the world. https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1105345123754430465

Marriage rules: boy's sufu should be higher than the girl. Fatwa 749/622/B.

Enslavement of Kafirs is a practice that continues till now (in the case of the Yezidis). Moplahs would abduct children to sell them to the Dutch.
In the Islamic kingdoms, preference were given to Arabs & Turks in the administration. Even today, an Arab woman is considered high caste & won't be easily allowed to marry, say a Tamil or Indonesian Muslim.

British classification:

Comments of British Census officers who were given orders to classify Hindus on caste.

The British Superintendent. of 1921 Census: “We pigeon-holed everyone by caste and if we had no true caste for them, labelled them with the hereditary occupation.. We are largely responsible for the system we deplore.” "In the 19th century bands of missionaries, phrenologists, ethnologists, anthropologists, orientalists and eugenicists, set about identifying and classifying Indians like zoological specimens into different castes. They used head measurements, skin color, physique, occupation."

"We deplore the caste system and its effect on social and economic problems, but we are largely responsible for the system we deplore." - M.L. Middleton, junior superintendent of the Punjab Census Operations, Census Of India 1921 Vol.5 Punjab And Delhi Pt.1 (report)

WR Cornish, who supervised census operations in the Madras Presidency in 1871: "regarding the origin of caste we can place no reliance upon the statements made in the Hindu sacred writings. Whether there was ever a period in which the Hindus were composed of four classes is exceedingly doubtful".

CF Magrath, leader and author of a monograph on the 1871 Bihar census, wrote, "that the now meaningless division into the four castes alleged to have been made by Manu should be put aside".

The Census of the Island of Bombay- 1864: "It is supposed that at one time caste determined the occupation that a Hindu was to follow. Now it has but a limited influence & there are few castes of which the members will not engage in any occupation & but few occupations in which persons of any caste will not seek a livelihood. Of the 76 occupations in the table, there are but 18 in which Brahmuns were not found engaged & of these there are 5 at least in which it is only a fortuitous occurrence that they were not so. Of the 30,604 Brahmuns enumerated in Bombay, there were returned as, Beggars and Paupers 10,370, or one-third of the whole, as Writers and Accountants 5,973, Priests 2,606, Schoolmasters & Teachers only-720, Merchants and Bankers, 1,728, Domestic servants 1,795. In the tabulation the designation priest has been taken in a too restricted sense, & those not Brahmuns who acted as priests in the lower castes, have been included with teachers..

Anthropologist Susan Bayly: "until well into the colonial period, much of the subcontinent was still populated by people for whom the formal distinctions of caste were of only limited importance, even in parts of the so-called Hindu heartland… The institutions and beliefs which are now often described as the elements of traditional caste were only just taking shape as recently as the early 18th Century".

Risley, the Chief Commissioner of India's 1901 Census  came with the definitive identifying marker of an Indian's caste. "The social status of a particular group varies in inverse ratio to the mean relative width of their nose!"

Atonement:
In Hindu society, Dalits have reservations & stringent laws protecting them. Statistically, violence against Dalits is 10 times lower than the rest of the population. Imagine if slaves/heathens/heretics/cagots/Ajlafs/Arzals/Kafirs had reserved places in government (including promotions) & sought-after universities. Or if on a complaint, the accused is arrested & jailed and has to prove himself innocent (rather than the standard process of innocent until proven guilty).
It does not make sense to hold today's people accountable for the alleged sins of their ancestors. However, this system is an attempt at atonement. It is flawed in the sense that it allows the wealthiest reserved to take advantage of the system (parents & children holding top positions in government), rather than focusing on the poor.
In contrast, other systems have difficulty in even acknowledging the atrocities. They are buried through silence (to paraphrase Catherine Nixey). The decent thing to do is to acknowledge that atrocities have happened and try to atone for it, rather than piling on more hate literature on the non-believers for the sake of conversions.

References:

Savitri Mumukshu's thread on the history of Caste in India

History of Caste & its linking with Varna

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casta
https://twitter.com/noconversion/status/1064934086035279872
https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/of-indias-invention-of-the-caste-system-and-its-constant-battle-against-it
https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/a-culture-of-discrimination-or-a-culture-of-emancipation-a-critical-look-at-romila-thapars-latest-book
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad reference & distortions: http://indiafacts.org/deadly-distortions-of-colonial-rule-notes-from-a-rulers-gaze-by-arvind-sharma-ii/
Jati Varna fluidity: http://indiafacts.org/caste-system-colonial-idea/
https://swarajyamag.com/culture/caste-hierarchy-and-discrimination-not-sanctioned-by-the-vedas
Mirabai bowing to Ravidas pic: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/958556571130318848
Dalit saints & reformers: https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/a-culture-of-discrimination-or-a-culture-of-emancipation-a-critical-look-at-romila-thapars-latest-book
Tiruppanazhvar: https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/azhwar-and-the-archaka-a-wake-up-call-to-realise-what-dharma-really-is https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1007590909574373378
Trishanku: http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/09/saptapadi-apadharma.html
Dalit saints: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1018011136090824704

Birsa Munda: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/930861674461986816 https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/873169241142304768

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandanar

Guruvayur buffalo story. https://asharsree.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/the-buffalo-lord-of-guruvayoor/ https://www.indiadivine.org/content/topic/1343778-a-buffalo-inside-guruvayoor-temple-true-event/ 

Dalit leader Ambedkar on the origin of Shudras: http://www.ambedkar.org/ambcd/38A.%20Who%20were%20the%20Shudras%20Preface.htm

Madurai Veeran: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/988148802736480256
Ramnamis sacred thread: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/842657698223214592
Balram Das: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/818895310755917824
Poykayil Johannan: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/945065334465216512
Divakara: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/752110447894028288
Janabai: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/871005595712634882
Chokamela: https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/760525291932389376
https://www.esamskriti.com/e/National-Affairs/For-The-Followers-Of-Dharma/Were-Backward-Classes-always-suppressed-in-India-1.aspx
https://twitter.com/secular_ex/status/1063076275152011265
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_among_South_Asian_Muslims
https://twitter.com/maheshps369/status/1064938669826588672
https://twitter.com/subhashkak1/status/1067394543996284929
http://indiafacts.org/why-is-the-world-so-obsessed-with-indias-caste-system/#.W_Y5JXkC3Fs.twitter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanaka_Dasa
https://twitter.com/TrueIndology/status/1066004527445360642
https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/1066368174352990209
Catherine Nixey's "A Darkening Age": references to slavery & St.Theodore
https://www.myindiamyglory.com/2017/12/27/300-bc-book-indica-megasthenes-dispels-caste-theories-india/?fbclid=IwAR3yW-YFq83gYXrrTS7g7MiO4DjcxXq7QJG2SIv_v4mAF83usnIIKlMa5aM
http://indiafacts.org/understanding-the-concept-of-varna-as-it-appears-in-hindu-scriptures-i/
http://indiafacts.org/understanding-the-concept-of-varna-as-it-appears-in-hindu-scriptures-ii/
Caste violence statistics: https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/how-india-is-being-shamed-using-deceptive-statistics-on-violence-against-dalits-2
Kafir unclean: https://twitter.com/anshul_aliganj/status/1096227467176673280

https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/1196559465203372033

Bhakthi as the highest ideal: https://www.facebook.com/jataayu.blore/posts/1643722159114310 

Detailed analysis with primary sources: https://twitter.com/Dharmichistory2/status/1369317375858802688

Sabarimala: A freedom of speech analysis

Should thoughts, speech, writing & actions be free? Or should there be limits? If there are limits, should they be enforced? If yes, who should enforce it?

Every deliberate action first starts with a thought. If we recognize that a thought is bad, what should we do? Should we feel guilty & repent for the thought, as some religions suggest? Will that stop bad thoughts? What about the Orwellian double-think, where we are indoctrinated to accept contrary beliefs at the same time?

It is the nature of the mind to never take responsibility for the actions that it spurs us to take. It feeds pride when its action succeeds. If it fails, it will not take responsibility, it will blame you instead. Yoga teaches us to let our mind roam freely, and take a step back & observe our own mind without judgment. Our thoughts should be free.

Let us examine speech next. One can argue that civil speech should be free. However, there are ideologies that prohibit any criticism or blasphemy, however civil it may be, with brutal punishments. Such actions result in the imprisonment or death of critics. This has resulted in the destruction of universities & libraries (eg: Nalanda, Takshahila, Alexandria) which resulted in dark ages for the affected civilizations, whose contributions to the world came to an abrupt halt. It is interesting to note that Samskritam, a rich language which requires sentences to explain some words, has no direct word for blasphemy. It appears that ancient Indians were free to criticize anything & everything. The concept of free speech has been rediscovered & treasured by today's societies that do have it. In the Tamil Puranic Thiruvilaiyaadal story, Nakkeeran, a poet, a Bhaktha (devotee) of Shiva, states that a poem composed by Shiva as a response to a riddle is flawed, and he insists that it is flawed even though Shiva reveals himself & pretends anger. Shiva burns him with his fiery third eye of knowledge, later praises him & restores him back to life. The moral is clear. You shouldn't hesitate to question even God. Even God is not above question.

Civil free speech is desirable. How about uncivil free speech? Can I insult & abuse? Something sacred to others, that can cause mental hurt? To quote a famous criticism of absolute free speech, can I shout fire in a crowded place? Initially, it looks like the answer is No.

There has been a logical analysis on this. However, who determines what is an insult or an abuse? Who determines if something inappropriate was said? If you give this power to any one entity (eg: government), that entity will gradually start shifting boundaries on what is abusive & what is not, until speech is totally curbed. No entity should have the powers to define what is abusive or not. Free speech should be legally absolute, including the right to insult & abuse. You are always welcome to insult & abuse back. Society can set its own standards on what's acceptable.

So, should I now go ahead insulting & abusing anything I don't agree with? In the Anushasana parva of the Mahabharatha, Bhishma tells Yudhishtira: Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah (non-cruelty is the highest Dharma). In Patanjali's Ashta-anga Yoga, the first anga (limb) is Yama. The first Yama is Ahimsa. Ahimsa is not just physical cruelty. It is also mental cruelty. As a moral individual goal, try not to hurt anyone or anything by word or deed.

What about actions? Actions are easier. Any harmful & cruel action must be addressed by society.

What does all of this have to do with Sabarimala?

Among the millions of Hindu temples, six temples have restrictions on women while five have restrictions on men. The deity of Ayyappan is himself worshiped in multiple forms (including married forms such as in Acchan Kovil) in various temples without restrictions. There are specific stories & traditions associated with the Sabarimala Ayyappan temple where only men, young girls & older women voluntarily observe a 41 day Vritam (austerity) abstaining from meat, alcohol & sex, wearing black clothes & no footwear and sleeping on the floor before entering the shrine. The sacred offerings to be made at the end of the trip should be packed by the women members of the family.

The petitioners, journalists, media, government, police & judiciary indulged in an unnecessary intervention of this tradition causing immense anguish to the men & women devotees of this shrine. This was a deliberate act of Himsa (cruelty). Further, the right to pray as ruled by the court was interpreted by atheistic & non-Hindu radical feminist activists as a right to desecrate. Purely to make a political statement and get covered by media, without observing the 41 day Vritam, eating meat, drinking alcohol, not abstaining from sex, sleeping on comfy beds, wearing footwear, lacking devotion, they converged on the temple with full police protection. While devotees fell on their feet asking them to abstain, they can be seen flippantly walking past them. This was an act of Himsa. These steps were legal, but not moral.

Is having sex in front of the deity (as an activist posted) okay? Is taking a used sanitary napkin in the sacred offerings to the deity fine? Can this be considered freedom of expression?

At this point, these actions move away from freedom of expression into the realm of vandalism. Freedom of expression is desirable. Vandalism is not.

May Lord Ayyappa bless all of us with good sense and freedom. Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa.

Part 2: https://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/11/sabarimala-debate-analysis.html

Lalitha Sahasranamam: the inner meaning

The Lalitha Sahasranamam (ललिता सहस्रनाम) means 1000 Samskritam names of the pleasant & playful divine mother.

Mysterious Sculpture 

Have any of you gone to a Devi temple? Have you seen a sculpture of two intertwined serpents forming three ovals with three dots in the middle of the oval? Did you simply circumambulate them without bothering about what they were?

Outside vs inside

Let us examine a verse.

अन्तर्मुखसमाराध्या बहिर्मुखसुदुर्लभा
Antharmukha Samaaraadhya Bahirmukha Sudurlabhaa.

What does this mean?

Anthar means inner in Sanskrit. This is the word in Hindi as well. In Tamil, it is used in words such as Anthapuram (inner chamber).
Aaradhya means worship.
Bahir means outer. In Hindi, the related word is Baahar.
Mukha means face. This is true in Hindi & Tamil as well.
Sam is good. Dur is the antonym meaning bad.
Samaaradhya is good worship.
Labhaa is profit. (Laabh in Hindi, Laabham in Tamil). Durlabhaa is loss.

This verse means:
Facing within is a good worship.
Facing outside is a loss.

To elaborate, if you look (meditate) within, we gain true happiness. Looking outside for happiness will not be fruitful.

The knots

Now, what happens when you meditate deeply?

मूलाधारैकनिलया ब्रह्मग्रन्थिविभेदिनी
मणिपूरान्तरुदिता विष्णुग्रन्थिविभेदिनी
आज्ञाचक्रान्तरालस्था रुद्रग्रन्थिविभेदिनी
सहस्राराम्बुजारूढा सुधासाराभिवर्षिणी
...
षट्चक्रोपरिसंस्थिता महासक्तिः कुण्डलिनी

Mooladhaaraikanilaiya Brahmagranthivibhedhini
Manipuraantharudhita Vishnugranthivibhedhini
Ajnachakraantaalasthaa Rudragranthivibhedini
Sahasraaraambujaaudhaa Sudhaasaaraabhivarshini

Remember the snake & dot sculpture that I originally mentioned? Per Kundalini Yoga, in deep meditation, it is possible to awaken the Kundalini Shakthi, which is the divine mother in the form of a serpentine coil of energy at the base of the spine.

The Kundalini Shakthi has three Naadis (Channels). Ida (the left part), Pingala (the right part) & Sushumna (the subtle central part). They intertwine & intersect at three Chakras. This is what the snakes on the sculpture indicate.

Granthi is a knot that is hard to unravel or a doubt that is hard to understand. There are three Granthis that have to be unraveled for us to know the ultimate truth. These represent the dots between the serpent intersections. In the Indic traditions (such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism), scriptures are referred to as Granth, since they reveal spiritual truths that are also hard to understand.

The first Chakra at the base of the spine represents Ganesha & is the Mooladhaara Chakra. Brahma Granthi is the knot of creation, dealing with earthly desires such as food & sex and our insecurities about the unknown. She is one who resides in the Mooladhaara Chakra & unravels the Brahma Granthi.

She then emerges in the Manipura Chakra & unravels the Vishnu Granthi. This represents Ahamkaaram & Mamakaaram (our desires for material possessions & power).

Next, she resides in the Ajna Chakra & unravels the Rudra Granthi. The Ajna Chakra represents the fiery third eye (representing the fire of true knowledge) & Karthikeya (Jnana Panditha), again associated with learning. Unraveling this final Rudra Granthi will reveal the secret of existence.

Finally, she ascends to the Sahasraara Ambuja (thousand petaled lotus) also called Sahasraara Chakra, representing Shiva. This represents the union of Shiva & Shakthi, ending the material existence. As Sudhaa Saarabhi Varshini, she rains the nectar of immortality & happiness. This is the final state of eternal bliss.

After these verses, she is called Shat chakro pari samsthitaa Mahashakthi Kundalini. After the final state, she establishes herself as the great Shakthi (power) of Kundalini residing above the six chakras.

Desire, Knowledge, Action

She is also called इच्छाशक्तिज्ञानशक्तिक्रियाशक्तिस्वरूपिणी (Icchaa Shakthi Jnana Shakthi Kriya Shakthi swaroopini).

How do you become a visionary CEO like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Can you do it right away? No? What needs to happen first?

The first is desire. To perform any action, you first need the desire to perform that action. Icchaa is desire.
Now that you have the desire to become a CEO, is that sufficient? No.

Next, you need the knowledge to perform the action. Jnana is knowledge.
Ok, now you have the desire & knowledge on how to become the CEO. But you sit on this & do nothing. Will your desire succeed? No. What's missing?

You need to perform the action to fulfill this desire. Kriya is action.
You have performed your action. Will your desire succeed? Maybe. Maybe not.
It is external circumstances & Deiva Sankalpam (divine will) that determines if your action will succeed or not.

Quoting from the बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् 4.4.5 (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) in an expression of similar thoughts: काममय एवायं पुरुष इति; स यथाकामो भवति तत्क्रतुर्भवति, यत्क्रतुर्भवति तत्कर्म कुरुते, यत्कर्म कुरुते तदभिसंपद्यते. Loosely translated:
You are your desire. Resolving your desire results in knowledge, action & your destiny.

She is the underlying power (Shakthi) & form (swaroopini) behind desire, knowledge & action.

May she awaken within us & grace us with the right desire, right knowledge & guide us on performing the right actions.

Sources:

Worshipped by लोपामुद्रार्चिता Lopamudra (Rishka in the Rig Veda).

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-brihadaranyaka-upanishad/d/doc122058.html
http://indiafacts.org/granthis-psychic-knots-depiction-sculptures/
Insights from two friends
https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_devii/lalita1000.html?lang=en-IN
http://vedham.blogspot.com/2016/07/zakir-naik-ganesha-secret.html
http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/08/three-secrets-of-shiva-birth-death-who.html
https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5291/granthi
An Upanyasam by Shri Velukkudi Krishnan on Ramayanam in the Sunnyvale temple a decade back

http://vedham.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-divine-mango.html
http://vedham.blogspot.com/2021/09/notable-ganeshas.html

Our states of being

Per the Upanishads, there are four states of being. They are:
* Jagruthi: Being awake. In Tamil, 'Jagruthaiya iru' means be careful, derived from be awake & aware of what you are doing.
* Swapna: Dreaming.
* Sushupthi: Dreamless sleep.
* Turiya: The state where you are constantly aware. What if we are aware that we falling asleep, dreaming, in deep sleep? (Source: Upanyasam of Haridas Giri). Yogis say that in advanced stages, we get into this state. In Tamil, a person who gets into this state is called a Turavi.

The different stages of sleep are when our bodies tap into an infinite source for regeneration & knowledge. Here are examples of famous ideas that were obtained during sleep: Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table of elements, James Cameron's Terminator character, the Beatles' Yesterday, Keith Richards' opening verse of 'I can't get No Satisfaction'. (Source: Discover Life magazine, Summer 2018, Feeling Good).

There are also four undesirable conditions. They are:
* Mrithyu: Death. We all fear death.
* Jaraa: Old age. Growing old and getting the ailments of old age is undesirable for all of us.
* Vyaadhi: Sickness.
* Janma: Being born, which causes us to go through the other undesirable conditions.

There is a lot of symbology in Hindu scriptures & temples to get rid of these undesirable states. http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/08/three-secrets-of-shiva-birth-death-who.html

What are we actually? Per Paramahamsa Yogananda, we have three types of bodies.
* Bhootha: Physical. Pancha Bhoothas mean the five elements of Prithvi (earth), Jala (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) & Akasha (space). The body that we get from these elements in the Bhoota Udal (body in Tamil). This body is called the Annamaya Kosha. Annam is food, Kosha is covering. Annamaya is the flesh derived from food.
* Sthoola: Astral. This is covered by the Praanamaya Kosha (breath & life-force), Manomaya Kosha (mind) & Jnanamaya Kosha (intellect). When the physical body dies, the mind & underlying layers are still active, until they find another body. This provides the dream images during the Swapna state, including sensory powers of sense such as sight, smell, hearing, taste & touch. When people with near death experiences talk about seeing their own body being operated upon (Eg: last case in National Geographic's Moment of Death documentary), it is this astral body that they are using.
* Sookshma: Causal. This is covered by the Aanandamaya Kosha (bliss). This is our state during Sushupthi (dreamless sleep), when the most bodily & mental regeneration happens.

You should never take someone's word for this. Per the Yogis, Acharyas & saints, the only way you can discover for yourself whether this is true or not is through meditation (Dhyaana).

A simple beginner's meditation technique that I'm practicing is to observe your own breath. Breathe normally, when you inhale: mentally say Ham, when you exhale, mentally say Sa. When you realize that your mind has wandered, simply bring it back & continue. I can testify that this improves concentration, makes the mind calmer & reduces addiction to the smartphone and social media. (Technique derived from Swami Rama's Himalayan Academy). (Word: Hamsa, the mythical bird that can sift milk from water when they are mixed. In the world, the good & bad are constantly mixed & it is difficult to sift those. One who can sift this has Viveka-discrimination & is a Hamsa. One who is great at sifting this & providing the right information gets the title of ParamaHamsa or the great Hamsa. Eg: Paramahamsa Yogananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. This meaning is derived from Paramahamsa Yogananda's autobiography of a Yogi.) (Technically, this is a Dhaarana technique, where Dhaarana means external concentration. We're using our own breath to focus. Eventually, this can lead to Dhyaana, or focusing inwards, which is meditation. I'm not able to get to Dhyaana yet, so I don't know how this feels like. These are Angas-limbs in Patanjali's Ashta-anga yoga).