Menstruation and Puja

[JustGeorge]

Yeah, its an awkward topic, but someone had to bring it up.

I've read a lot of conflicting things regarding this. Of course, each claims to be the authority on the topic. But, what are your feelings on women participating to any degree in puja while menstruating?

Some seem to say its totally taboo, as a woman is impure during this time. Others say this idea is sexist and that these ideas are antiquated and not relevant in modern times. An esoteric reason I've seen given was one's energy has a 'down pull' while menstruating, and puja has an 'up pull' of energy, and you do yourself no good to participate in puja at this time. A basic reason given was "your body is seeping out liquid, and while you wouldn't go to the temple if you had diarreah or a cold, you shouldn't go while menstruating"

What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[Ashoka]

I personally don't want to do anything during my menses, due to killer cramps, let alone puja. I feel like God understands, though. As for others, I tend to stand with "no uterus, no opinion" in this case. I listen to women on this topic, but not men. If that makes sense.

 

[JustGeorge]

I personally don't want to do anything during my menses, due to killer cramps, let alone puja. I feel like God understands, though. As for others, I tend to stand with "no uterus, no opinion" in this case. I listen to women on this topic, but not men. If that makes sense.

Yeah, I get that. Surprisingly, I've heard just as many women against other women doing puja while menstruating as I have men saying it doesn't matter, and she should do puja when she wants. It doesn't seem to be divided strictly by gender here.

I'm sorry your period is so hard on you.

 

[Vinayaka]

I'm a guy, but my wife has done a TON of research on the topic. FWIW, the Tamil community I worship with follows it diligently, as does my sampradaya, for inner reasons. There might be some individuals who don't, but they wouldn't be vocal.

My wife swears she can feel the shift in the temple vibration if a menstruating person comes in. I know others who make that claim as well. Me? ... I'm oblivious to most vibrations anyway. So too for any open wound, or a baby or a person whose had a recent death in the family. Most of the ancient traditions have some sort of reason, although fully understanding them may have been lost to the sands of time. For that reason alone, I don't see any harm in following it. I've left temple property several times while landscaping, and cuts from equipment or carelessness.

Twice I've seen temples shut down, and elaborate re-vitalisation ceremonies took place, similar to what happens at a kumbhabhishekam. Certainly the priests, well trained ones, don't see it as a silly superstition.

Best wishes on coming to some sort of conclusion on reasons, and validity, and all that so you can feel comfortable either way.

 

[Ashoka]

I'm a guy, but my wife has done a TON of research on the topic. FWIW, the Tamil community I worship with follows it diligently, as does my sampradaya, for inner reasons. There might be some individuals who don't, but they wouldn't be vocal.

My wife swears she can feel the shift in the temple vibration if menstruating person comes in. I know others who make that claim as well. Me/ ... I'm oblivious to most vibrations anyway. So too for any open wound, or a baby or a person whose had a recent death in the family. Most of the ancient traditions have some sort of reason, although fully understanding them may have been lost to the sands of time. For that reason alone, I don't see any harm in following it. I've left temple property several times while landscaping, and cuts from equipment or carelessness.

Twice I've seen temples shut down, and elaborate re-vitalisation ceremonies took place, similar to what happens at a kumbhabhishekam. Certainly the priests, well trained ones, don't see it as a silly superstition.

Best wishes on coming to some sort of conclusion on reasons, and validity, and all that so you can feel comfortable either way.

To be honest, I don't have a problem following protocol. I'm not going to go to a temple while on my period, mainly because I want to respect the culture. I'm not Tamil or Indian, so my words don't have a lot of weight. But I do know of Hindu women who do want to be included in the temple, even when menstruating. They say even Maa Durga menstruates, and it should not be looked upon as wrong, but natural.

I side with them, but being a white woman, like I said, my words don't hold as much weight, because I have not been exposed to that culture. I'm on their side, but I am quiet about it, I guess. Like, I am not gonna burst into a temple and demand they follow what is comfortable to me. That's wrong, in my view. But at the same time, I can see where other Indian and Tamil Hindu women are coming from.

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm a guy, but my wife has done a TON of research on the topic. FWIW, the Tamil community I worship with follows it diligently, as does my sampradaya, for inner reasons. There might be some individuals who don't, but they wouldn't be vocal.

My wife swears she can feel the shift in the temple vibration if menstruating person comes in. I know others who make that claim as well. Me/ ... I'm oblivious to most vibrations anyway. So too for any open wound, or a baby or a person whose had a recent death in the family. Most of the ancient traditions have some sort of reason, although fully understanding them may have been lost to the sands of time. For that reason alone, I don't see any harm in following it. I've left temple property several times while landscaping, and cuts from equipment or carelessness.

Twice I've seen temples shut down, and elaborate re-vitalisation ceremonies took place, similar to what happens at a kumbhabhishekam. Certainly the priests, well trained ones, don't see it as a silly superstition.

Best wishes on coming to some sort of conclusion on reasons, and validity, and all that so you can feel comfortable either way.

Just curious; what's the significance of a baby being in the temple?

Currently, I'm half in, half out. I will attend pujas, but will not perform them personally. With the temple, I have gone for practical purposes; it literally takes weeks to arrange a temple trip, and I can't easily just go another time. So while I try to be mindful of menstruating times, its not entirely predictable. I do know its frowned on to go to a temple while having a cold or other illness(for reasons of purity, along with common sense), but I see our priests still go if they are under the weather. Again, for purely practical reasons, there is no one to replace them if they stay home, and then the pujas will not get done. (Our temple has two priests employed.)

There are always so many factors to consider. (Which is why I am largely undecided on this topic.)

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm a guy, but my wife has done a TON of research on the topic. FWIW, the Tamil community I worship with follows it diligently, as does my sampradaya, for inner reasons. There might be some individuals who don't, but they wouldn't be vocal.

My wife swears she can feel the shift in the temple vibration if a menstruating person comes in. I know others who make that claim as well. Me? ... I'm oblivious to most vibrations anyway. So too for any open wound, or a baby or a person whose had a recent death in the family. Most of the ancient traditions have some sort of reason, although fully understanding them may have been lost to the sands of time. For that reason alone, I don't see any harm in following it. I've left temple property several times while landscaping, and cuts from equipment or carelessness.

Twice I've seen temples shut down, and elaborate re-vitalisation ceremonies took place, similar to what happens at a kumbhabhishekam. Certainly the priests, well trained ones, don't see it as a silly superstition.

Best wishes on coming to some sort of conclusion on reasons, and validity, and all that so you can feel comfortable either way.

Further sitting here pondering on the topic...

Though Boss doesn't visit the temple during these times, is there an alternative practice she did in place of her normal one? I have read some women will do mental puja during their menses, or others will do mental japa, and others will do none at all.

 

[Vinayaka]

Just curious; what's the significance of a baby being in the temple?

Currently, I'm half in, half out. I will attend pujas, but will not perform them personally. With the temple, I have gone for practical purposes; it literally takes weeks to arrange a temple trip, and I can't easily just go another time. So while I try to be mindful of menstruating times, its not entirely predictable. I do know its frowned on to go to a temple while having a cold or other illness(for reasons of purity, along with common sense), but I see our priests still go if they are under the weather. Again, for purely practical reasons, there is no one to replace them if they stay home, and then the pujas will not get done. (Our temple has two priests employed.)

There are always so many factors to consider. (Which is why I am largely undecided on this topic.)

The birth and death custom is similar, for the reasoning. The main reason is that we're more open to vibration, including 'negative' ones. In my sampradaya and in Tamil culture, it's 31 days, but in others it's only 11, or some other number. So the custom varies regionally, which I also fine kind of odd. I should also mention that in my sampradaya, all other forms of worship, like meditation, japa, singing bhajans, or hatha yoga. are allowed. It's only the actual beseeching the presence of God (puja) that is said to be unwise. And I get that.

The temple is a different place, most especially agamic temples. They do have a definitive energy to them. The temple I go to is particularly strict. We have no chairs, and a certain discipline like no talking, and appropriate clothing that is actually enforced.

 

[Vinayaka]

Further sitting here pondering on the topic...

Though Boss doesn't visit the temple during these times, is there an alternative practice she did in place of her normal one? I have read some women will do mental puja during their menses, or others will do mental japa, and others will do none at all.

Ganga (Boss) is standing right here so I asked her. She did meditation, and chanted Aum a lot. She says it's supposed to be a BETTER time for meditating. She wasn't comfortable doing her japa we're initiated into. Also we don't visit the Satguru at that time. All the same reasons.

For us it's over, of course, although Ganga is still very sensitive.

 

[Vinayaka]

I should also add that we do have the experience of beseeching negative energy. We went to a small gathering, and a 'homa' of all things, which is a very strong form of beseeching. There was a family there that didn't believe in the custom. We couldn't sleep, were really argumentative, and argued straight through about 3 whole days. Pretty unnerving, but it did go away. I've heard it compared to a really big wave in the ocean that generally has regular small waves. Of course it does happen, even accidentally.

 

[JustGeorge]

The birth and death custom is similar, for the reasoning. The main reason is that we're more open to vibration, including 'negative' ones. In my sampradaya and in Tamil culture, it's 31 days, but in others it's only 11, or some other number. So the custom varies regionally, which I also fine kind of odd. I should also mention that in my sampradaya, all other forms of worship, like meditation, japa, singing bhajans, or hatha yoga. are allowed. It's only the actual beseeching the presence of God (puja) that is said to be unwise. And I get that.

That's good to know, thanks.

The temple is a different place, most especially agamic temples. They do have a definitive energy to them. The temple I go to is particularly strict. We have no chairs, and a certain discipline like no talking, and appropriate clothing that is actually enforced.

What makes a temple agamic or not?

Ganga (Boss) is standing right here so I asked her. She did meditation, and chanted Aum a lot. She says it's supposed to be a BETTER time for meditating. She wasn't comfortable doing he japa we're initiated into. Also we don't visit the Satguru at that time. All the same reasons.

For us it's over, of course, although Ganga is still very sensitive.

I appreciate your response tremendously, Ganga!

I've noted I feel like meditating more during those times. I have read that some women will not enter their puja rooms, but I often feel drawn to quietly sit in there and either just be, or close my eyes in silent meditation.

I should also add that we do have the experience of beseeching negative energy. We went to a small gathering, and a 'homa' of all things, which is a very strong form of beseeching. There was a family there that didn't believe in the custom. We couldn't sleep, were really argumentative, and argued straight through about 3 whole days. Pretty unnerving, but it did go away. I've heard it compared to a really big wave in the ocean that generally has regular small waves. Of course it does happen, even accidentally.

I apologize for my inquisitiveness today, but I'm unfamiliar with this. Would you mind explaining what this is, and the reason/timing this is done?

 

[Vinayaka]

That's good to know, thanks.

What makes a temple agamic or not?

I appreciate your response tremendously, Ganga!

I've noted I feel like meditating more during those times. I have read that some women will not enter their puja rooms, but I often feel drawn to quietly sit in there and either just be, or close my eyes in silent meditation.

I apologize for my inquisitiveness today, but I'm unfamiliar with this. Would you mind explaining what this is, and the reason/timing this is done?

An agamic tempe is one that has been designed strictly according the the Agamas, in this case the Saiva agamas. Most South Indian style temples have at least some sort of stuff from the agamas. It gives the dimensions, the size, according to the size of the murthy, the location of the main shrine, the location of all the side shrines. The theory goes that they better attract the devas, and the non-devas or elementals. They have a strict boundary or inside, and outside space. One type is invited in, and the other is fed outside. The general dimension will be a domino shape, twice as long as it is wide, the central sanctum is in the exact center of the square that is furthest away from the entranceway, or gopuram. You can tell by the design. These days, with less understanding, some groups will pay a sthapathi (temple design profession, specializing in the Agamas) extra money to break a few rules.

A homa is the fire puja, called a havan in the North. They are performed at special times, and really do a number re invoking. This whole idea is why you will see weddings done in halls, and not in temples. That way all guests can come, although menstruating women will sit more discreetly at the back of the hall.

 

[JustGeorge]

These days, with less understanding, some groups will pay a sthapathi (temple design profession, specializing in the Agamas) extra money to break a few rules.

That seems kind of counter-productive. What would the benefit be to break the rules?

A homa is the fire puja, called a havan in the North. They are performed at special times, and really do a number re invoking. This whole idea is why you will see weddings done in halls, and not in temples. That way all guests can come, although menstruating women will sit more discreetly at the back of the hall.

That seems like a good set up. Other than weddings, when else is homa done?

 

[Vinayaka]

That seems kind of counter-productive. What would the benefit be to break the rules?

That seems like a good set up. Other than weddings, when else is homa done?

Homas are done at major festivals, traditionally in the morning. You could sponsor one at your temple for no reason at all (just to get the blessings) if you chose to. We're sponsoring one here for Thai Pusam. Our temple does them maybe twice a month, every day during summer festival, at Thiruvembavai, Chaturthi, last day of Skanda Shasthi, Sivaratri, etc.

Yes I personally think it is counter productive, but in the west people get their own ideology and egos involved in the architecture, and the potential cost, etc. The North Indian Sanatani style temples follow a different design, not agamic in nature. We (I used to be a board member here, but not for a long time) refused $100 000 once because the plan the donor was suggesting, and willing to pay for broke the agamas.

 

[Viraja]

I strictly do not do pujas while menstruating, but I'm free now since I have had my menopause recently.

But that said, one is free to do 'hare krishna' japa anytime. Just touching the deities and doing pujas is a taboo.