Question Regarding A Religious Practice

sbonigala · Sep 30, 2016

Alright, I might sound very rude/offesnive/unruly/all possible negative words. But I do have a question - totally out of ignorance but not our of arrogance.
If you can help me in understanding this stuff- it will be highly appreciated.

Why do Hindu(may be in other religions too, but prominently Hinduism) women have to stay away from reciting devotional chants during periods?

My thoughts - They may be asked to stay away from doing puja and advised to take rest but reciting slokas on the way to work or while just sitting idle during periods is not allowed. God created us as women. God is aware of our natural cycles of periods. If it was something that's dirty and unacceptable by God, why would God create us like that? How does something happening down there, effect the purity of faith that is coming straight from the heart with a strong belief. How can that cause harm by upsetting God? Why would God be angry if a woman in her periods recite slokas?
I read some posts in this forum where it was mentioned that reciting hanuman chalisa during periods will make Hanuman angry because he was a strict brahmachari. But Hanuman being a brahmachari went to lanka and helped a Sita devi(a woman). So when another woman who is in some distress recites chalisa, why would he be upset/angry? Are we not allowed to talk to God during periods?

Isn't periods something that defines a healthy woman and blesses a woman with a healthy uterus and womb where God is going to bless a woman with a baby? Why is such a divine thing considered ugly and unclean?

Is faith not something that's beyond physical imbalances? I think faith is very divine and pure and God (whichever religion) looks at that faith but not physical reasons.

Please correct me if I am wrong. As I mentioned earlier - this is a genuine doubt. If anyone wants to take this as a come-lets-argue kind of post, please note I am not interested in replying to such posts.

justanothergirl · Sep 30, 2016

One of the beauties of the religion is that there is no said path. .
U want to pray during periods. Pray. U charter ur own course
Best of luck!

sbonigala · Sep 30, 2016

Thanks for the first reply JAG.
Yes I do pray everyday irrespective of periods. Prayer has now become a daily habit rather than a ritual.

I have lots of amazing friends in Hindus and when they are in genuine family tensions while on periods, they hesitate to take the name of their Gods ( I say their God, because my faith is different , that's all - no offence meant). They are scared to even recite a sloka/prayer and are worried if the god/goddess would be angry with them for praying during prayers.
None of my friends was giving me a convincing response and my source of more information on this is IL. So I had to ask it here.

Gauri03 · Sep 30, 2016

Menstrual segregation and taboos are cultural phenomena that have existed from the time of the ancient Greeks. Variations of these beliefs can be found in societies as diverse as the Orthodox Jews, certain Christian denominations and even African tribes. They are hardly exclusive to India and Hinduism. From Freud to Donald Trump, the idea of menstrual blood being toxic and it's effect on the 'bleeding woman' is hardly a novel one. These are cultural practices, that have assimilated into religion, not vice versa.

I was raised in a deeply religious Hindu household and in my state we don't follow any such beliefs. Across the northern half of India, aside from the core idea of 'impurity' there are very few menstrual taboos. No segregation, and in some cases, such as my community, no religious prohibitions either. Even among the subgroups where these beliefs are common, there is a huge variation in the associated practices. Your friends believe what they were raised to believe. However, there is no pan-Hindu diktat prohibiting women from carrying out religious duties while menstruating. Short answer: Culture. Not religion.

sbonigala · Sep 30, 2016

Gauri03 said: ↑

These are cultural practices, that have assimilated into religion, not vice versa.
Culture. Not religion.
Click to expand...

Hi Gauri,
Thanks for taking time to write an elaborate answer. I completely agree with you on that. Its cultural not religious.
While I am responding here I was also chatting with one of my friends on whatsapp who thinks my question could accumulate paapam for me - because the question in itself is sinful and questioning the religious beliefs.

Happy to see that ladies in this forum are taking it in the right sense.