To Shri. Vishnu

[Guest guest]

Dear Shri. Vishnu Jandhyala:

 

Dharma shastras have been written by many stalwarts of the past

including Manu and sage Parashara. Parashara's Smruthi is the code of

ethics to be followed in Kali Yuga. You will find explicit references

as to how ladies should conduct themselves and what things are tabooed

for them during their monthly periods in that smurthi. You may refer

the Parashara Smruthi yourself to get your clarification.

 

Even in Mahabharata (Sabha Parva Chapter 67 verse 32), you can

refer to Dhraupadi's words to Dushasana in which she berates him for

dragging her to the presence of elders of the court as she is in her

periods. This is the reference found in Ithihaasam.

 

As a psychologist I know that women are prone to depressive moods

in and around their periods and the change in moods of female subjects

having correspondence with their phase of menstrual cycle are well

documented. In tantra shastra in which you will find a marked

deviation from vedic injunctions and taboos, menstrual blood is used

for various powerful mantrik procedures like infatuation of persons;

but, in vedic practices and in Samayaachara forms of worship, there is

no place for this.

 

For further reference, you may refer the Rishi Panchami Vratam

Story of Bhavishyottara Purana. (Incidentally Rishi Panchami Vratam

is done to expatiate sins caused due to inadvertent slip-ups in the

taboos associated with menses).

 

 

You are free to have your own beliefs and practices in this

regard. What I am stating is from tradition and I have not invented

them! I stated what I believed to be relevant for a person engaged in

Sadhaanaas so that they do not invite unintended doshas due to

ignorance of scriptural dogmas in this regard.

 

Blessed be.