What duties are to be followed on the days of shaving?
Vidwan’s reply:
The detail provided here is restricted to Sthree Dharmam. When shaving is done at a household, women should include Toor dal in cooking on that day.
It has been a practice at our house to offer food to Brahmacharis during kumara sashti; as we have performed pancha samaskaram and bharanyasam, should we continue that practice?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is considered superior to offer food for Brahmacharis; a grishasta as per the ordained stipulations should wait for a guest to serve food and then partake it after serving a guest. If such is the case, it is not wrong to serve food to Brahmacharis as it is considered a noble deed.
Those who have performed bharanyasam can do so but not particularly on a kumara shashti which is for a demi-god. Everything that is done has to be done for the pleasure of Bhagavan, not for any benefit.
What are the daily austerities ordained for a Srivaishanava woman? What rules and regulations are to be followed about plaiting hair and adorning Kumkum on the forehead etc while going to a temple or visiting a preceptor?
Vidwan’s reply:
Description automatically generatedPlease refer to our previous issues regarding the daily austerities for women particularly the video Srivaishnava sthree dinacharya at our SudarshanamGSPK YouTube channel using the link below.
When visiting a preceptor or going to the temple, one has to take something for offering as per their ability but should not go empty-handed.
Hair should be combed and pinned up well; one should not leave the hair untied and one must wear thilakam on their forehead, preferably Srichurnam and Thiruman.
Kumkum can also be used as a Srichurnam or red Srichurnam can also be used.
Women should wear Srichurnam with their hair properly tied. One can take flowers, and fruits for offerings, if not some cash can also be offered.
Swami Desikan has stated in Daya Shatakam even when one has absolutely nothing to offer but should possess the thought of offering something. Swami Desikan in his Srisuktis has mentioned “I submit my sins as an offering to Emperuman”.
So, it is pertinent that one should have the thought of submitting the offerings and offer something as per their ability.
