Can I do Sadhana during menstruation? Can I do Pooja or Archana during menstruation? These are questions women often ask. Frankly, these queries pain my heart.
My Recent Experience
Earlier this year (2023), I attended a family ceremony, which included havans and rituals. The event’s host happened to know I was menstruating.
Knowing how traditional families function, I had planned to skip the event. However, the host said to my husband, “Please attend it. She can sit in the living room.”
She can sit in the living room. Away from the rituals. The host’s words left me in a fix. In a normal situation, I would’ve protested one way or the other.
Sadly, that family had recently gone through a tragic event, so I didn’t wish to cause them more grief. Swallowing the bitter pill, I sat in the living room for the entire ceremony.
Nevertheless, it pained me that such educated women had subconsciously believed menstruation was taboo. It showed how much society has created insecurities in the minds of women.
As A Teenager
I first tasted such backward thoughts about menstruation as a teenager. My family had gone on a South Indian temple tour with 20+ relatives.
It was a 5-day trip planned meticulously by the elders, and the youth were hyper-enthusiastic about it. As part of our travel, we headed towards a famous Shiva temple. My monthly guest — menstruation — decided to visit me at that time.
Mouths rattled, and people began to spill their expert opinions. Some suggested I sit in the hotel room, and others concluded I should sit alone in the van while the others visited the temple. Thanks to all the unsolicited advice, I became overcome with grief.
Luckily, my mother cared more about me than anything else. She said, “You are coming into the temple with us. We can’t leave you alone in the hotel or the van for your safety.”
A Thought or Intuition
As instructed by my mother, I went into the Shiva temple. But, a seed of conditioning had been sowed into my young mind. For a while, I cursed myself for being a woman and then lamented —
Is it my fault that I menstruate? Why should others decide my fate for a natural occurrence? I love Shiva! Why should I visit his temple with such guilt in my mind? And so on.
Out of nowhere, a thought arose in my head. It felt like an intuition. Here:
Shiva Linga, the phallus, eternally sits on a Yoni, Devi’s womb. It symbolizes reproduction, considered divine and sacred in Sanatana Dharma (SD).
Menstruation is also part of the same reproductive process. Given that, there is no way the sages would have looked down upon it.
Also, Shiva and Shakti are considered one entity. Then, how can Shiva look at anything that happens to Shakti as taboo? This makes no sense whatsoever, even from a scriptural viewpoint.
Taking It Heads-On
Since that thought came my way, I decided to take this bull head-on. The orthodox people would faint if they heard this because I did all my ritualistic Sadhana during menstruation.
This included Surya Sadhana, Nava Durga Sadhana, Gayatri Sadhana, Sri Suktam Sadhana, and whatnot. And guess what? Each one of these spiritual austerities gave me terrific results. Further, it caused me no harm whatsoever.
If I could do intense Sadhana during menstruation, the basic traditional ones are merely child’s play in front of these.
Hence, I say with authority that the entire saga of keeping menstruating women away from rituals is a baseless superstition.
The Conclusion
There are no restrictions — I emphasize, NO RESTRICTIONS — whatsoever for women during menstruation.
You can pray to Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, or anyone during menstruation. And you can chant Vishnu Sahasranama, Lalitha Sahasranama, or any mantra you wish. Also, if you feel up to it, you are more than welcome to go on a pilgrimage or temple tour!
One caution for good health: During Sadhana or otherwise, your body temperature rises during menstruation. So, please drink enough water to reduce menstrual cramps. Besides this, there is no need to worry at all.
In Short
Women have become secondary citizens in Sanatana Dharma. Over the years, society has made them feel low about themselves. Everything from childbirth to menstruation is looked down upon.
If you read the scriptures, you’ll notice that women have been systematically pushed into this status. My dear friends, it is time to dump these social stigmas and baseless superstitions.
If you need motivation and confidence, I stand testimonial to the fact that menstruation is far from taboo. If anything, it is divine and beautiful, as Devi Kamakhya symbolizes!
Love,
Sri Devi Om
