Can Ekadasi fasting be observed during the menstruating period? Will it beget sin? Is Rama-Krishna Nama japam, chanting of Dvaya mantram allowed during this period?
Vidwan’s reply
Ekadasi fasting can be observed during the menstruating period.
Notes
There is no harm in chanting the names of Bhagavan.
Do scriptures allow any other religious practices other than observing Ekadasi vratam for women who had done Prapatti?
Vidwan’s reply
Apart from observing Ekadasi vratam, one can observe other vratams for Perumal like Sravana vratam. Some observe vratam on Fridays and Saturdays. It is acceptable to observe other vratams for the sake of Perumal.
Notes
Some households have the practice of wearing charadu (thread coated in turmeric paste) commencement of Panguni by observing nonbu (a sort of vratam). One need not fast the whole day as some light refreshments are allowed. Vratam can be observed only with the consent of elders. Some Prapanna households do not have this tradition.
Women worship Thulasi by offering water, drawing kolams and chanting slokas. Can they meditate upon Krishna Bhagavan and pluck Thulasi leaves for offering it to Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply
The mantra chanted during plucking Thulasi must be learned as a upadesham. Hence, it is not a practice for women to pluck Thulasi.
Can women recite Sundarkandam? Or they are allowed read only the exposition? Will we derive the same fruits when we recite its exposition rather than the original verse?
Vidwan’s reply
In our tradition, it is not a practice to recite the original verses, but it can be read as a story.
Q22JUL21013
Can women chant Ashtakshara mantra after Samashrayanam or after Bharanyasam?
Vidwan’s reply
Women can chant Ashtakshsara mantra after Samashrayanam.
Adiyen has some physical ailments that my mensurating period stretches between four to thirty days:
should I refrain for four days or the entire period of mensuration for routine work?
Can I enter the kitchen after five days?
Can I clean the vessels used for Perumal after five days?
Vidwan’s reply
As per the tradition, one needs to stay away for three nights and after taking bath on the fourth day, we come for routine work. But the fourth day is also considered impure. Though there may be physical discomfort after the fourth day, one need not remain separate.
There is no need to stay separate until the fifteenth day while days sixteen and seventeen are equivalent to the fourth day of impurity. If the discomfort prolongs after seventeen days, then one must stay separate.
While scriptures do not object one from lighting lamps or cleaning thiruvaradhana vessels and it is not wrong if one feels uncomfortable in doing this work, they can refrain from them, again it depends on one’s mindset.
