A History of Assam c13.98

c13.98

To make matters worse Phulesvari’s authority was far from nominal. She was even more under the influence of the Brāhmans than her husband, and, in her consuming zeal for Sākta Hinduism, such as so often distinguishes neophytes, she committed an act of oppression which was destined to have far-reaching and disastrous consequences. Hearing that the Sudra Mahants of the Vaishnava persuasion refused to worship Durgā, she ordered the Moāmariā, and several other, Gosāins to be brought to a Sākta shrine where sacrifices were being offered, and caused the distinguishing marks of the Sākta sect to be smeared with the blood of the victims upon their foreheads. The Moāmariās never forgave this insult to their spiritual leader, and, half a century later, they broke out in open rebellion.