Do women have anything equivalent for parishesanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is nothing equivalent for women concerning this. But whatever we consume, it is appropriate to offer them to the antaryami before partaking it. It is better to chant the name of Govinda before eating, both women and kids should chant the name Govinda before taking the first morsel of food.
Can women recite Sri Vishnu Sahasranama and Divya Prabandham at the yagashala when yagnas are not conducted?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is no need that women have to particularly recite at the yagashala. Women has the right to recite Divya Prabandham and they can do it to their heart’s content. But there is no compulsion that it has to be recited at the temple or yagashala. Women can recite them when a yagna is not conducted but it is not a norm; one has to obtain permission from the relevant temple authorities while doing so, but as mentioned, it is not a must to recite at the yagashala. Women can recite Prabandham as much as possible at their homes to their satisfaction. Sudarshanam had already explained elaborately in the previous issues with regards to women reciting Vishnu Sahasranama.
If men after performing Tiruvaradhanam leaves to office early, can women offer tirtham to elders and children of the household?
Vidwan’s reply:
Women can certainly distribute Perumal tirtham to the elders and children of the household when men leave early to office. Moreover men give tirtham before doing pariseshanam, while serving food women serves tirtham too. When such an opportunity arises, it seems that women can give tirtham to people at home.
Can Vaishnava women wear chain made of black beads?
Vidwan’s reply:
While looking at the practise of our elders, seems that women are not prohibited from wearing chain made of black beads. But adiyen had seen and prostrated elderly SriVaishnava women wearing black beads in their chain. Elderly women wear it. Women of Tamil Nadu generally do not wear it with their mangalasutra. Looks like black beads are not prohibited.
