To clarify - this is not about my bhakti but bhakti in general.
ayappa songs being played in cab, driver also put up a video.. i would have been irritated by it before but this time i could feel his bhakti... the devotional songs bring out such strong emotions in people. (May be that explains no women and all that in the temple... should not get so angry looking at it from feminist angle...men are kinda mad when they are intoxicated with anything.. even love for god :-P just like its not good for women to be in a bars at night... :P anyway they didnt care much for womens spirituality! yeah that is still bad...)
Also felt how many routes of spritual development were blocked to other poorer castes and women in olden times, not only spiritual teachings, arts as well( music for one).... but bhakti route is open to one and all, my granma... ayappa devotes.. those dalit dancers in 9 lives book.. thats why there is so much passion in it..sufis.. meera bai....no one could stop them. its about divine love...its all beautiful. bhakti is beautiful....reminded me bhakta kumbara...today I felt I would start dancing and have tears in my eyes if i got too involved with the songs..it is easy to get carried away in bhakti..one of these days i am afraid ill stand up and dance and lose myself in this .. maybe I should try it ... and just let go?
(I think this acceptance of bhakti comes by reading Ayp site)
You can add Vedas to the list.. women still aren't allowed to learn and/or recite them in a lot of schools. Primary reason is as explained by Nada Yoga.. the chanting has malevolent effects on women.
ReplyDeleteSome other explanations I've heard - Women don't need any additional avenues for Bhakti.. their devotion to their family, specially their children gives them enough punya as is..
- Family again .. no need for additional distractions.. :)
Kitanu..