Menstruation (Periods)In human females, the onset of the first menstrual cycle is called menarche and represents the start of puberty and becoming a woman. This takes place around the age of 12 years, although the age varies between the individuals. The menstrual cycle which lasts about 28 days continues until menopause between the ages of 45 and 50. The start of the cycle commences with the discharge of blood - known as menstruation, and this event is easily identified. This flow of blood, which lasts about 5 days, is due to the lining of the uterus wall being shed along with a little blood.
In the Shikshapatri, a woman during menstruation is referred to as a Rajsvala and should observe what is known as the Maasic Vrata. In the Shikshapatri shlok 173, it is written that a woman should never conceal the period of menstruation, and in shlok 174, Bhagwan Swaminarayan goes on to say that during this time, women shall avoid the touch of persons, clothing and other items for 3 days, and on the fourth day should purify themselves with a complete bath. They shall avoid all religious activity during this time and give domestic responsibilities to others within the household.
There are a number of reasons for this. One of the reasons is that a woman is considered impure during this time as she is losing blood, but along with that, heat and harmful toxins are also being excreted from the body. As a result, her body is weaker, and so she is required to rest. That is why she has been allocated these 3 days to rest and allow the rest of her family to look after her household duties. To understand this concept better, as to why we do not touch certain things during a period, it is comparable to sutak - a period of impurity consequent upon birth or death, where close relatives are not to touch or be involved in religious activity for a number of days. Another such example is when there is an eclipse and every activity is left aside, and when the eclipse is over, everyone should be purified by taking a bath.
However, on a more positive note, at this time of the month, the woman is a Devta, as Brahma (the creator) who resides inside her reveals himself, and therefore she is on a higher spiritual level than us all and so we must avoid touching her.
It is difficult to observe the rules laid down above in the modern day and age, although not impossible. This is Bhagwan Swaminarayan's aagna, and when He wrote it, He had the situation in mind. A woman feels responsible to feed her family everyday, but effort can be made to allow someone else to do the cooking, like a neighbour or a relative near by. In this situation, the rest of the family also have to be co - operative as it is important to follow this to keep the home as pure as possible.
The first day of Rajsvala depends on when exactly Rajodarshan (time of menstrual cycle) takes place. If Rajodarshan occurs at night, then splitting the night-time into three equal parts, if Rajodarshan occurred in the first two parts of night-time then the previous day should be considered as the first day. If it occurred in the last third then the next day is considered the first day of Rajsvala Vrata. Other Smrutis explain that if Rajodarshan occurs before the middle of night-time then the previous day should be considered as the first day. Nirnyasindhu however explains that one should act in such cases in accordance with what is accepted in the village, town, country etc.
Then is explained the prohibition of touch for a Rajsvala. It is even forbidden for a Rajsvala Stree to touch another Rajsvala: If a Rajsvala accidentally touches another Rajsvala, then they are purified by bathing. If they touch intentionally, then they should perform Upavaas (full day fast) and partake in Panchagavya (five elements from a cow - including urine) for purification. If a Rajsvala Brahmin woman touches a Rajsvala Kshatriya woman, then the Brahmin woman should observe the complete Ardhakrutch Vrata and the Kshatriya woman should observe half of the same Vrata. Thus all women of all castes should observe the Rajsvala Dharma.
It is hard to follow this when at work, school, etc. and most people don't follow it because it isn't what they believe in, so if Rajsvala women are touched, then there is less paap. Ideally, upon return to home if food is cooked with the intention of serving to God, then a bath should be taken so that one is in the utmost pure condition. This will purify the person from all the influences imposed during the course of the day.
The process may seem like a punishment, but the whole idea of following these rules is with the woman's best interests at heart, and for her to rest during this period as her body is weak. It's only when a woman is out of the kitchen that her value is realised how hard it is for those 2 days!
