Something which I posted in a group.. Extracted here for records.
I do not know whether it is my business to comment at all.. But when an issue concerning the Palakkad Iyers and customs are discussed, and the discussion is obviously turning to conclusions which are not really ever meant for the community, I thought I would contribute my two cents of thought over the matter..
It is about the issue whether girls between puberty and marriage are permitted to offer anga namaskaram..
"Just one doubt..
All ladies of Palakkad Iyer origin do some sort of Namaskarams to elders during auspicious occasion like Thiriuvathira, Nolumbu, Vishu etc.. it is not seen prohibited or objected just because the lady is between puberty and marriage.
During the nishchayatarthm, ponnu paarkkal etc functions which the girls offer Namaskarams to the elders..
It is not seen as wrong by anyone till date..
Is a girl as described above prohibited from offering Namaskarams during family functions like Sraadhams.. Bhagavat Seva etc
When some death occurs, god forbid, the final Namaskarams are offered before the body is carried to the burial ground.. Is there any exemption for the girls of the above category from offering Namaskarams..
At least a hundred more similar situations come to my mind..
No, there is no such prohibition among ladies Palakkad Iyers..
And that fact is the filter for majority of the members.. or it should be .. in this group..
Saashataangam should mean ashtaangaiH saha.. obviously meaning, with eight limbs..,
it must be very uncomfortable for a lady to lie down prostrate.. especially to press to the ground angas or physical organs from neck to knee, for physiological reasons and therefore they are exempted from Saashtaangam..
That is for all ladies irrespective of age or status..
And every limb is called an angam.. So paying respect even through one Angam, many be the hand or even fingertips should qualify for anga namaskaram..
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