Historically, some etymological arguments suggest the root word once had neutral or even poetic meanings related to flowers or beauty in ancient literature. However, in modern linguistic practice, it has devolved entirely into a severe gender-based insult.
In Hinduism, "Ethu Pundaya" is associated with the concept of Self-realization, where an individual recognizes their true nature, beyond the confines of the ego and the physical body. This state of awareness is considered a crucial milestone on the path to spiritual liberation, enabling one to attain Moksha, or freedom from the cycle of birth and death.