RE: Menstruation and temples (Was:Why WOMEN in Menses not allowed in Temple or to worship?)

[Guest guest]

Dear Dhira et.al.,

 

The obvious thought that comes to one's mind regarding this issue is that of

purity and cleanliness. Prashna Marga tells us while discussing Deva

Prashna, that when an idol is established in a temple, God in the form of a

Divine Presence exists as Chaitanya in the idol. The idol is the Bimba

(mirror) which contains the Divine Presence. It is the sukshma deha (subtle

body) while the prasada is the sthula deha or gross body of the Almighty.

Any form of impurity or doshas reduces or wears the Divine Presence. Hence

strict vigilance is observed to maintain the purity of the temple and the

temple premises. Prashna Marga lists out the impurities and doshas which

includes all human excretory matter including sweat and perspiration, though

menstruation is not specifically mentioned. One supposes that it is a

natural extension to include menstruation in the list of bodily excretions.

The emphasis on maintaining the cleanliness and purity of the temple is very

high, and PM states that even the slightest impairment must be repaired,

removed, cleansed and purified through various means such as homas etc. In

the deva prashna chart, pollution and cleanliness is seen from the 6th

house, while Gulika in the 4th house denotes the entry of persons who are

unclean or polluted.

 

This is quite separate from the issue of menstruation of the earth or the

Divine Feminine, which is celebrate in many parts of India. In Orissa

menstruation of the earth is celebrated with great fanfare during Rajo Parva

which occurs 15 days prior to the Rath Yatra. It is basically a fertility

festival and during this time trees are not cut (in fact not a leaf is

touched), fruits are not picked and the land not tilled in the numerous

Sacred Groves, oases of rare plants and medicinal herbs in Orissa.

Environmentalists in India have viewed this as a traditional conservation

method for a long time. In Bengal it is celebrated as Ambu Bachi, where

women observe vratas whilst the earth bleeds. This is different from the

question as to why women do not enter the temple during menstruation, which

is to do with keeping the Divine Presence intact and untouched.

 

Best regards,

 

Sarbani

 

 

 

 

venkatarama_sastry [venkatarama_sastry]

Monday, December 15, 2003 9:56 PM

vedic astrology

[vedic astrology] Re: Why WOMEN in Menses not allowed in Temple

or to worship?

 

 

Mr. Vishwanatham,

 

Well said! A clean and pure mind - that is the true temple.

 

Venkatrama

 

 

vedic astrology, H S Viswanadham

<vishwanatham@r...> wrote:

> Hare Rama Krishna

>

> Dear Phyllis,

>

> Can we really stop thinking about God, when we are in the toilet,

is the question that bothers me!

>

> i think what we are talking about is externalities here, which are

more to do with religion than spirituality. Are we talking about the

purity/cleanliness of bodyor mind or soul?

>

> Let it be so for believers, is what i think about the

externalities.

>

> Both the parents are required for continuity on this earth. They

are different & there is no comparison between them.

>

> regards

> viswanadham

>

> Phyllis Chubb <phyllis@p...> wrote:

> Dear Dhira,

>

> After forcing myself to sleep on your comments I will now respond,

hopefully

> in a polite fashion.

>

> In my opinion the evaluation of women as being "unclean" when

menstruating

> has been one of the most damaging and oppressive notions to hit us

> throughout the age of Kali. I've heard on more than one occasion

that the

> menstrual blood is deemed unclean because it could have sustained

life, yet

> does not.

>

> This reasoning would certainly be valid if it applied equally to

each

> ejaculation experienced by men. Why are men not deemed to be

unclean

> creatures? They ejaculate a lot more frequently than women

menstrate.

> Doesn't their sperm also have a connection to life?

>

> Some day this foolishness will pass, once all of us stop blaming

the gods

> for our own distorted and perverted thinking. How can we refer to

the gods

> and their shakti in one breath while belittling the shakti of

mortal man?

>

> May each of us strive to treat all living beings with respect.

>

> Regards,

>

> Phyllis

>

-

> "Dhira Krsna BCS"

> To:

> Saturday, December 13, 2003 12:26 PM

> [vedic astrology] Why WOMEN in Menses not allowed in

Temple or to

> worship?

>

>

> > Dear Rajan,

> >

> > Women having menses are 'unclean', that's why they are not

allowed to

> > worship. The reason for this is that they take part in the

results of

> > Indra's being cursed for his sins.

> >

> > Yours,

> > Dhira Krsna dasa,

> > Jyotishi

> > http://www.radhadesh.com

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Group info: vedic-

astrology/info.html

> >

> > To UNSUBSCRIBE: Blank mail to vedic astrology-

 

> >

> > ....... May Jupiter's light shine on us .......

> >

> > || Om Tat Sat || Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamastu ||

> >

> > Your use of is subject to

 

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> To UNSUBSCRIBE: Blank mail to vedic astrology-

 

>

> ....... May Jupiter's light shine on us .......

>

> || Om Tat Sat || Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamastu ||

>

> Your use of is subject to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your use of is subject to