Can one observe Ekadasi vratam during menstruation? How to perform Dvadasi paranai at that time?
Vidwan’s reply:
One should observe Ekadasi vratam during those times also; one can partake tiffin instead of cooked rice. One may not necessarily partake food in the morning during Dvadasi paranai; can partake food cooked without tamarind, though it is not considered paranai but observing Ekadasi vratam is a must.
I read in Sudarsanam that new clothes are not considered madi (pure). I have two young daughters. During menstrual times I take rest separately, but I bathe and feed my daughters during those times. As they are young, they roam around the house, and I dress them up every month at this period with new dresses. Is this considered right?
Vidwan’s reply:
During the menstrual period, it is appropriate to change dress for young children, older children will change dress on their own. It is better to have one dress while being with the mother and another dress when being around grandparents. Where there is a will there is a way on such matters.
Can women chant Garuda Gayatri mantra for better health of children? If so how to chant?
Vidwan’s reply:
Women are not allowed to chant any Gayatri mantra, instead can recite Garuda Dandakam.
Adiyen’s question on menstrual doubt was answered during Adi Sudarsanam issue and have some more doubts on the same:
It is understood that during menstrual time, sanctity has to be maintained in the house as Emperuman resides in it. My daughter asks what about the Emperuman that resides as an antaryami inside us; will he leave during the menstrual period?
In my house for the past 22 years, adiyen has been cooking during the menstrual time too as my husband travels officially; also I cannot buy food from outside during that time for 3 or 4 days; on the fourth day, I clean up everything and cook food to offer it to Perumal. Is there a way to rectify this mistake; Moreover, my husband is not very cooperative, so I have to cook food for him as well and I continue to commit offence for which I have cried many times.
I have negative thoughts not only during my menstrual period but at other times too; still, I manage to chant the divine names of Emperuman. What is the remedy?
Vidwan’s reply:
The soul does not possess any taints unlike the body; for instance, if our hands get dirtied, we do not say I am dirty. The taint in the body can be removed by cleaning it with water. As we are the body for Emperuman, though the body gets tainted, Emperuman will not be tainted so He resides there always.
During menstrual time it is better to avoid cooking; instead of buying food from outside, we can get food from any Srivaishnava house, or else we can prepare rotis beforehand and request someone to serve; self-serving is also considered secondary but it is way better than self-cooking. It is not appropriate to cook during those times, so preprepared rotis or chapatis can be used during the menstrual period.
When cooking for oneself is wrong, cooking food for others is prohibited; you can be firm in not cooking rather than adjusting to error. A patni adheres to dharmic following alongside; if a husband does not follow dharma, the wife should guide him to dharmic way.
One should chant the divine names of Emperuman to remove the negative thoughts. One has to practice again and again to remove negative thoughts. The frequency of negative thoughts can be decreased by chanting the divine names repeatedly.
Notes:
We have to stress the importance to young girls on why they should stay separate during menstruation. As Emperuman never leaves anyone anytime, He still resides inside even during menstrual time. As He resides inside, the physical and mental stress and mood swings during that time are somewhat comforted as Emperuman is a witness. It is His arrangement that we have to take rest separately and highlight to them the effectiveness of our habits.
How should lactating mothers observe Ekadasi vratam?
Vidwan’s reply:
In general, it is not in practice for Sumangalis to fast the whole day during Ekadasi; they can partake food instead of cooked rice. Moreover, feeding the babies is important for breastfeeding mothers, hence, they must partake food except cooked rice.
