Query regarding reading of BG and SB during menses

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 29-03-2021 8.07.33 PM

Subject: Query regarding reading of BG and SB during menses

Dear Padmanarayana Krsna Prabhu ji and others,

For everyone's kind information [in case some devotees(who are supposed to know) may not be aware of it]:

...............................beginning......................................

Here below is the link for Vasishtha-smriti, 5th chapter, that mentions the regulations during menses.

 

https://archive.org/details/AshtadashSmriti/page/n469/mode/2up

Regulations mentioned are:  

The woman, in her course, remains impure (ashuchiH) for three nights. During that time....

(1) She should not apply collyrium (kajal in Hindi) to her eyes,

(2) should not bathe in  the water,

(3) should sleep on the floor (i.e. should not use bed/furniture),

(4) should not sleep during the day time,

(5) should not touch fire (i.e. should not cook)

(6) should not make a rope,

(7) should not clean her teeth,

(8) should not eat meat,

(9) should not look at the planets such as Sun, Moon etc.,

(10) should  not laugh,

(11) should not do any household work,

(12) should not drink water, out of her joined palms or out of a bell-metal, copper or iron vessel (According to Angirasa-smriti, she can either eat in her hand or use earthen vessel for eating--haste ashnIyAt mRnmaye vA).

One should not accept collyrium, ointment and food from a woman in her course.

Also, Parashara-Madhava, a commentary on Parashara-smriti by a renowned traditional scholar MAdhavAcharya (Prayashchitta-kanda, chapter 7, verse 15 and17) mentions that on the fourth day, the woman attains purity by bathing and can render service to her husband and so on even though there is no cessation of menstrual fluid (rajo-nivRtti-abhAve api bhartuH shushrUShA-Adau shuddhiH), however, as long as the menstrual fluid is not stop, the woman should not be engaged in household duties such as cooking and so on (gRha-karmaNi), (sAdhvAchArAH) or deity worship and (pitR-karma) or duties related to forefathers (nivRtte tu rajasi daivaM pitryaM cha kartavyam).  

sAdhvAchArA na tAvat syAt rajo yAvat pravarttate

rajo-nivRttau gamyA strI gRha-karmaNi chaiva hi (PrAyashchitta kANDa, chapter 7, verse 17)

Translation: As long as there is no cessation of  menstrual fluid, the woman should not perform sAdhu-AchAras such deity worship. Only when there is complete cessation of the menstrual fluid, can she be approached by her husband for GarbhAdhAna and can be engaged in household duties such as cooking and so on.

.............................................end.....................................................

There is no any specific reference that I could find in scriptures mentioning prohibition regarding not reading Spiritual books such as BG, SB etc., however, in all the traditions (Vaishnava and Smarta alike), touching scriptures or any spiritual items during periods  is a taboo that is indicative of an authentic traditional practice regarding the issue. (Or else, the word "sAdhu-AchAras" might include such practices as well). 

Regarding ---Whether or not, Women in their courses, can read/hear spiritual books/lectures on smart-phones or any other electronic device---IMHO scriptures or holy items in any form should be respected equally. Experienced devotees in this area can comment on it.    

For more practical experience of the issue and other finer details, I request devotees to read the attached document that has been prepared  by Mahaharia Prabhu with his wife, Lasika Mataji.

In case devotees want to contact them: [Contact details:mahahari...@gmail.com(7202953213), laveenama...@gmail.com).  

das,

Jaya Nityananda Dasa

("Nandagrama" Varnasrama Community Project)

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Alamelu mangai"

Sent: 12-04-2021 4.41.03 PM

Subject: Re: Query regarding reading of BG and SB during menses

Respected prabhu, 

Please accept my humble obesiances

I could find one injunction regarding this matter in Hari Bhakti vilasa and Nectar of devotion. 

One should not touch a woman during her menstrual period. 

That says it all. She may or may not follow all the above mentioned rules depending upon her situation. There is no mention in respect to performing sadhana/service. One should not touch menstruating woman, (in all traditional Indian culture, we find women are isolated during their contamination period). 

She can read Srila Prabhupada's books in phone/in form of book. Although both are respected equally yet there is difference, one cannot offer arati to Krsna's picture in phone or perform abiskek. Although Deities and Srila Prabhupada's books are respected equally, we distribute books not deities. So there is a difference. 

(Lecture on SB 1.1.1 -- Caracas, February 21, 1975: 

Kṛṣṇa, or God, says that "I am expanded in My impersonal form everywhere. Everything is existing on account of Me. But still, I am not everything." Just like God has expanded in this microphone. The microphone is also expansion of God's energy, but that does not mean we have to worship the microphone. So God has got that power, that although He has expanded Himself in His impersonal form everywhere, still, He has got His original existence. A small example can be given in this connection. Just like a father. He has given birth to hundreds of children. That does not mean the father is finished. These children is expansion of the father, but father keeps himself as father.)

She can perform her sadhana or service (when no one is there to replace her). I am not against following these rules however one should know it's application. I agree with the article, women who don't take rest during menstruations will face much difficulties in her health later in their lives. 

“ ‘Kṛṣṇa is the origin of Lord Viṣṇu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the śāstras should be the servants of these two principles.’ (Caitanya caritamrita Madhya Lila 2.113)

Devotees who actually engage in devotional service with faith and love are inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vaiṣṇavas are never concerned with ritualistic smārta-brāhmaṇas. Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī has therefore compiled Hari-bhakti-vilāsa to guide the Vaiṣṇavas, who never follow the smārta-vidhi. Although the Supreme Lord is situated in the core of everyone’s heart, unless one is a Vaiṣṇava, unless one is engaged in devotional service, one does not get sound advice by which to return home, back to Godhead. Such instructions are meant only for devotees. (Srimad Bhagavatam 8.20.14)

These are two references from Srila Prabhupada. We can infer, when Goswami viddhi allows even touching Deities or cooking, definitely women can read Srila Prabhupada's books during their contamination period. If their health permits, they can perform sadhana/service.

As for the question about menstrual cycle, the only remedy is chanting. 

Letter to Himavati -- Madras 14 February, 1972

.....service is spiritual and there can be no material designation. In Bhagavad-gita it is stated by Lord Krishna: striyo vaisyas tatha sudras te'pi yanti param gatim. The principle is that everyone who is properly initiated and following the rules and regulations can worship. This activity can not on the material platform.

According to the smarta vidhi, women cannot touch deity during menstrual period but the goswami viddhi allows. But it is better not to do it. One thing is that the seva can never be stopped for any reason. This also for the cooking.

Letter to Amsu -- Vrindaban 13 August, 1974

Your servant

Anupama Devi dasi

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Radhananda Dasa. BVKS"
Sent: 14-04-2021 6.01.34 AM

Subject: Re: Query regarding reading of BG and SB during menses

Dear Jaya Nityananda Prabhu,
Namonamah
Jaya Srila Prabhupada
Jaya Guru-deva

Since you are learned in scriptures and a strict follower of varnasrama
culture, can you please elaborate on below questions for me who is
lower than a varna-sankara / antyaja and uncultured by behavior and
practice.

1. What is the nature and cause of impurity during menses? If the
cause of impurity is bleeding of blood, does similar restrictions
apply to men who might be bleeding due to injury?

2. Or is the impurity due to women accepting one-fourth of sin of
Indra's killing a brahmana? (SB 6.9.9)

Hare Krsna

Your Servant,
Radhananda Dasa