What are the austerities that a lady must follow if the periods stretch beyond the normal duration?
Vidwan’s reply:
As per the scriptures one should stay secluded for five days and after taking head bath, we can do the regular chores. But if one is mentally not prepared, they can refrain from doing the regular chores like cleaning Perumal sannidhi, drawing kolams, lighting up lamps.
Women are allowed to do their usual chores until 15 days but if the periods extend after fifteen days too, then it is considered as vizhuppu. In that case one has to remain separate for the next three days.
It all depends on one’s family situation as well, if there are people to help at home then they can take care of the domestic chores or take decision as per the mental comfort.
Can women wear gold mangala sutra instead of turmeric thread as married women these days and their mothers prefer to wear gold? Please clarify.
Vidwan’s reply:
Turmeric thread is considered very auspicious. It is mentioned as ‘mangalyam tantu’ in the wedding shlokas. Swami Desikan said ‘mangalya sutram iva’.
Gold is also auspicious like turmeric thread, hence these days gold is preferred to that of turmeric.
But scriptures had instructed to wear turmeric thread so we cannot alter them to our convenience. Like how Yagnyopavitam is to men, mangala sutram is for women. Swami Desikan states it as Bibhrathi. One must wear it always in turmeric thread and not in gold.
Can women recite Jitante stotram of Alavandar?
Vidwan’s reply:
Alavandar wrote Stotraratnam, not Jitante stotram. There is no doubt that all can recite stotrams of Alavandar.
Though some might say it is like Vishnusahasranamam, Jitante stotram is equivalent to Vedas, hence it has certain rules. As per traditional observance women should not recite this.
Can women touch the deities at home to clean and adorn clothes?
Vidwan’s reply:
There are two types of deities, the consecrated and non-consecrated. If it is consecrated, only men can perform upacharams as per the ordains. They should touch the deities only after taking bath in the morning, after performing sandhyavandanam and before partaking food.
If the deities are not consecrated, then any one can touch the deities and adorn them with new clothes.
Should women observe vratam during Mahalayapaksham?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is no specific vratam for women during Mahalayapaksham. They can assist in chores if elders of the house perform mahalaya tharpanam. As mahalayam is like a shraddham, those who help during that period should keep themselves pure.
During Dvaya mantra initiation, adiyen was instructed to say ‘um’ instead of pranavam. In that case how to recite Vishnu Sahasranam as it contains pranavam in many places?
Vidwan’s reply:
Scriptures have instructed that women should not chant pranavam when it appears in a mantra.
In Sahasranama, pranavam does not appear in any of the thousand names but it is included in the recitation at some places; so, it is not a compulsion that it should be chanted along with the nama and can be omitted.
