Menstruation in Sanatan Dharma 

Menstruation, a natural biological process experienced by women, has been clouded by myths and taboos across cultures and religions. However, within the rich tapestry of Sanatan Dharma, there exists a nuanced perspective that encourages understanding and reverence for this natural phenomenon. It's imperative to peel away the layers of misconception and delve into the essence of Sanatan Dharma's teachings to grasp a deeper understanding of menstruation and its significance. since menstruation is one thing which is unique to women, men have made a big fetish about it and woven all sorts of superstitious nonsense around it.

 

I would request reader to read full blog to understand concepts clearly.

 

So, pseudo-feminists and Westerners might have told you that Indian tradition does not allow women to cook food or worship during their periods because they are considered "impure." But they will never tell you that in many parts of India, even today, when a female experiences her first period, it is celebrated. It is not something to be hidden from society but rather seen as a completely normal phenomenon. At the Kamakhya Devi temple, the divine mother's menstruation is celebrated. Thus, Indians do not view menstruation as something negative or shameful. However, in modern Indian society, there is a reluctance to openly discuss such topics. Many boys are unaware of menstruation and its implications. I believe they should be educated about menstruation so they can better understand and support females during their menstrual cycles. We should openly discuss menstruation and not consider it taboo. While people often shy away from discussing sex, our ancient temples depict images of intercourse, and we have texts like the Kamasutra. In this regard, ancient rishis and Indian civilization were ahead of their time.

So now, let's address some questions.

Can females worship during periods?

The answer is yes, they can chant the names of God, read holy scriptures, etc. However, they are not allowed to touch the deities or use prayer beads during menstruation. But if they are alone at home and no one else is there to attend to the deities, then they may serve them. These rules do not apply if one has realized Brahman or if they have received diksha in a sampradaya.

Can females wear Tulsi Kanthi Mala or rudraksha?

Yes, they can.

 

Can females visit temples?

No, they cannot. However, I will also provide the reason later.

 

Now, you might question why women are not allowed or why such rules exist. Let us explore all the reasons:-

 

1)Many people label women as impure during this time, which can be offensive. However, it's important to understand that anything eliminated from the body, such as feces, mucus, or urine, is not taken to temples. This doesn't inherently make women impure. Even males have bodily fluids like semen and urine. Vedic philosophy considers the body as impure and motivates us to transcend it. During menstruation, women may not be physically or mentally well, making it challenging to worship deities properly, hence the prohibition.

2) Women should receive proper rest during menstruation, which is why such rules were established. Additionally, according to the Shushruta Samhita, an Ayurvedic text, there are specific guidelines for managing menstruation:

 

a) Avoid excessive talking, laughing, exposure to loud noise, and crying.

b) Refrain from sleeping during the day and avoid combing hair.

c) Avoid taking baths.

d) Avoid engaging in fatiguing work.

e) Steer clear of consuming spicy or sour foods.

 

Considering these guidelines, it becomes apparent that during menstruation, women may not be able to engage in certain activities. For example, they may refrain from talking excessively, which includes singing praises and glories of the lord. Additionally, being unbathed may prevent them from participating in religious rituals. Visiting temples may also pose challenges due to exposure to loud noise, among other factors. Therefore, women were advised to stay at home during menstruation and prioritize complete rest.

 

3) The human body has five forces called “vayus” or “winds” which are responsible various different processes in our body, like digestion, assimilation and ejection. These vayus are called prana, apana, udana, vyana and samana. Each of these has its own function and area of control. Prana is the life force, taken in with every inhalation that courses through our body through certain pathways called “nadis.” These are subtle forces that actually run parallel to our nervous system. The “vayu” or energy known as “samana” is responsible for absorbing the food we take. This refers not just to physical food but also to the knowledge that we intake through the five senses. Vyana distributes the nutrients to the different parts of the body as and when required. Apana is the downward wind that is in charge of the excretory functions. It removes carbon dioxide, urine and feces. Udana connects the brain stem with the cardiac plexus.

 

Apart from these main “vayus” or “winds”, the body also has something called “upavayus” which are subsidiary to the major five and take care of certain special functions especially in the female body. The upavayu called “prasoothi” is found in the uterus and female genitals. It exerts a strong downward force during menstruation and at the time of the birth of a baby. Actually, it starts to function from the eighth month onwards and brings the head of the foetus downwards and of course creates the strong force which eventually pushes the baby out at the time of birth.

 

Temples are places where the pranic current is very active and allow our minds and energies to rise upward towards the higher chakras or wheels of psychic energy. When we go to the temple during the times when the pranic current called “prasoothi” is active, we will be setting up a counter and downward force which according to our rishis would result in infertility, endometriosis, blocking of tubes etc. This is one of another reasons for forbidding menstruating women and pregnant women over eight months from going to temples.

 

If a woman has transcended the limitations of the body, then these rules do not apply to her. The primary goal of spirituality is to transcend the physical realm, and once you are disconnected from the body, these rules no longer affect you. However, for those currently connected to the body, such guidelines do have an impact.

 

Now, I hope your questions are answered. Let us work towards removing the taboos surrounding menstruation. I have presented views from scriptures, and if anyone has any remaining queries, please feel free to share them in the comment section.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the discussion on menstruation in Sanatan Dharma offers insights that challenge common misconceptions and taboos. By exploring ancient texts, such as the Vedas and Ayurvedic scriptures, we gain a deeper understanding of the rationale behind certain practices and guidelines. While these rules may seem restrictive, they are rooted in the context of maintaining physical and spiritual well-being. Moreover, it's essential to recognize that spirituality ultimately transcends bodily limitations, and those who have achieved such transcendence are not bound by these rules. By fostering open dialogue and education, we can work towards removing the stigma surrounding menstruation and promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society.