After enduring a barrage of false accusations from Dravidian media, the women who were previously reported missing, Maa Mathi and Maa Maayu, have issued a statement firmly refuting the allegations. They expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for affirming their right to live on their own terms and shared their experiences of being part of the ancient traditions of brahmacharya and Sanatana Dharma.
In a video shared by the Isha Foundation on 19 October 2024, one of the sanyasis, Ma Maayu stated, “Just now Dusshera got over. They say the Dusshera is a celebration of the victory of good over evil; this is something I feel: the victory of truth, ‘Satyameva Jayate.’ Truth is not something that I see as speaking facts or distorting the facts. For us, truth is on a much deeper level, as in truth is what is throbbing within me and what is throbbing within every human being.”
She then thanked the Supreme Court for upholding her rights, stating, “My truth is that the way I see myself is the way I see other human beings I come across. My truth is that I cannot identify myself with just one or two as just my blood and flesh; my truth is that everybody I see is my flesh and blood. This is the victory of that, and this is the victory of the fact that a human being cannot be contained by the structure of the larger society. So, this is the victory of that ‘Satyameva Jayate.’ I would like to thank the Supreme Court of India for reinforcing the trust in the Constitution.”
Then, addressing the lies of the Dravidian media‘s allegations, she said, “Few allegations from various sides were that we have been influenced. I like to say that I’m a person who is influenced by what is within me. Right from the beginning of my journey in Isha, I just come and participate in the programs; then I go back. I did not interact with anybody. It was not until after 7 years after I did the first program, that I knew something called monkhood existed which I could also take. I was such an introvert and a tacit person. Only after I came to know about it, I did realize that this is the way I’m already living, and this is the natural course for me. The only influence in me is what is happening within me.”
Maa Mathi criticized the scrutiny they faced from the media trails, stating, “So, in the past 8 years since 2016, there was media’s scrutiny and invasion, which has been really distressing. On and off, they were asking; we were really out at our own will, and today in the media, it is just blown up; our personal details are all over. It doesn’t matter whether it is a man or a woman; I request people to give the right to privacy and freedom in which I live my life. I wish that my privacy is respected, and that people understand in what need we are coming, rather than invading our privacy and way of life. It’s not like we have come here all of a sudden and became monks.”
She asserted that the Isha Foundation provided them the space to settle and reflect on their life choices, including whether they wanted to pursue marriage. Only after assessing all the paths, were they allowed to make their decisions.
Following their ordeal facing a barrage of false accusations, Maa Mathi and Maa Maayu issue statements thanking the Supreme Court for upholding their right to live on their terms. They share what it means for them to be part of the ancient tradition of brahmacharya and Sanatana… pic.twitter.com/ez35yBUEVE
— Isha Foundation (@ishafoundation) October 19, 2024
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