Can women recite Kamba Ramayanam?
Vidwan’s reply
Yes, women can recite Kamba Ramayanam.
Can women visit the temple if the periods extend even to the fifth day?
Vidwan’s reply
As per the scriptures, women can do all the chores even if the periods continue after five days. But if you feel uncomfortable going to a temple you can avoid it as there are no such stipulations.
Should sumangali women apply thilakam with Kumkum or Srichuranam during Shraddham and festivals? Can women of this tradition apply Kumkum on the parting of hair?
Vidwan’s reply
Yes, it is considered special to apply Thiruman and Srichuranam during Shraddham and festivals. Srichuranam for women is red color, Some apply Kumkum instead of Srichuranam also.
When we undergo samashrayanam, Acarya applies yellow Srichuranam during pundra samaskaram. Applying yellow Srichuranam is only on that day and red Srichuranam is applied on top of it.
Women can continue to apply red Srichuranam, especially on shraddham day and festivals. Kumkum is also allowed.
There is no harm in applying Kumkum on the parting of the hair, but it is sufficient if you apply Srichuranam vertically until the parting of hair. If women apply thilakam or dot instead of Srichuranam there is a practice of applying Kumkum on the parting of the hair.
Should we recite Mantra Raja Pada stotram only after obtaining as a upadesam through an Acarya? Are women allowed to recite them?
Vidwan’s reply
Some say it can be recited while some say it should not be recited. It is better to follow the advice of their concerned Acarya.
It is appropriate to recite any stotra or prabandham upon learning in sandhai format.
My daughter is having hormonal problems; are there any stotra-s to submit our prayers to Emperuman to cure her disease?
Vidwan’s reply
Garuda Panchasat can be recited for the cure. The phala sruti of the stotra states it could cure all kinds of ailments, the root of them is our mind. Swami himself has asserted the stotra has the power to cure all ailments. Hence reciting Garuda Panchasat will be a remedy.
I have come to know through Sudarshanam that women should not touch Salagrama deities, but Andavan Ashram has published a book on Tiruvaradhanam that can be performed by women which states that even the mantra to touch Perumal. I am confused about following the right practice.
Vidwan’s reply
Women do not perform Tiruvaradhanam as per the practice; only men are permitted to do so. When men are away, women can offer cooked food, clean the place altar, draw kolam, and offer flowers and light lamps as per the ordain. If there are books written on this subject one has to understand the actual context through relevant research. Rather than what is written, one has to follow what is in practice. We are following the traditional practices that had been in order. Women do not touch Salagrama deities as per the practice.
At our home, we have bedridden elders and small children. There are instances to help in cleaning the children resulting in impurity (vizhuppu). Can we light the lamp in the evenings with vizhuppu or should we take bath to light up the lamp? Can women take bath after sunset?
Vidwan’s reply
If an impurity happens, there is no need to take a full bath to light up a lamp in the evenings. Scriptures have prescribed different types of baths; there is one type of bath called mantra snanam and which has details that women should follow to perform mantra snanam.
Sumangali women can mix water with turmeric powder and can apply them on the chin, hands, and legs, later they can sprinkle the same water around them and chant “Pundarikakshaya NamaH” and recite 2nd pasuram in 2nd padhigam of Perumal Thirumozhi.
“thODulAmalarmangai thOLiNai thOyindum suDarvALiyAl
nIDumAmaram serradum nirai mEyththadum ivaiyE ninaindu
ADippADi arangavO! Enrazhaikkum toNDarippoDi
ADanAperil, gangai neer kuDaindADum vETkai ennAvadE?”
This is the mantra snanam prescribed for ladies. They can light lamps after performing mantra snanam. When women do not have time to take bath after returning home or if it gets late to return home, this practise of elders can be followed.
How should a widowed woman apply Thirumann and Srichuranam?
Vidwan’s reply
It was in practice those days that a widowed woman applied white Thirumann and yellow Srichuranam.
