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Rajodharma (रजोधर्मः) (view source)
Revision as of 22:20, 16 September 2020
, 22:20, 16 September 2020→ऋतुकालः ॥ Rtukala: adding content and references
Rajodharma (Sanskrit: रजोधर्मः), is the natural biological process of menstruation seen not only in the female species of humans but also primates and a few other mammals. Rajodharma or Rtudharma is that dharma of female physical body to undergo the physiological process of menstruation starting from the time the body attains a particular age until a certain age. The author of The Sabarimala Confusion - Menstruation Across Cultures: A Historical Perspective, Shri. Nithin Sridhar outlined various headings under which the Hindu view of menstruation has been explored, namely as Asoucha, as a period of austerity, as a self-purifying process, as a period of rest, as a sacred celebration, from yoga perspective, as in Ayurveda, the restrictions and attitudes involved.<ref name=":6" />
Rajodharma (Sanskrit: रजोधर्मः), is the natural biological process of menstruation seen not only in the female species of humans but also primates and a few other mammals. Rajodharma or Rtudharma is that dharma of female physical body to undergo the physiological process of menstruation starting from the time the body attains a particular age until a certain age. The author of The Sabarimala Confusion - Menstruation Across Cultures: A Historical Perspective, Shri. Nithin Sridhar outlined various headings under which the Hindu view of menstruation has been explored, namely as [[Asoucha (आशौचम्)|Asoucha]], as a period of austerity, as a self-purifying process, as a period of rest, as a sacred celebration, from yoga perspective, as in Ayurveda, the restrictions and attitudes involved.<ref name=":6" />
== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==
Rtukala and the vidhis which are to be or not to be performed are mentioned in Smrtis such as those of Manu and Yajnavalkya, authoritative texts for samanya dharmas.
Rtukala and the vidhis which are to be or not to be performed are mentioned in Smrtis such as those of Manu and Yajnavalkya, authoritative texts for samanya dharmas.
The first four days of Rajodharma are included in Rtukala (sixteen days from the time menstruation starts) and a woman going through these four days is called a Rajasvala (रजस्वला).<ref name=":4" /> Manusmrti mentions about Rtukala thus<blockquote>ऋतुकालाभिगामी स्यात्स्वदारनिरतः सदा । पर्ववर्जं व्रजेच्चैनां तद्व्रतो रतिकाम्यया ॥३.४५॥</blockquote><blockquote>ऋतुः स्वाभाविकः स्त्रीणां रात्रयः षोडश स्मृताः । चतुर्भिरितरैः सार्धं अहोभिः सद्विगर्हितैः ॥३.४६॥</blockquote><blockquote>तासां आद्याश्चतस्रस्तु निन्दितैकादशी च या । त्रयोदशी च शेषास्तु प्रशस्ता दशरात्रयः ॥३.४७॥ (Manu. Smrt. 3.45-47)<ref name=":0">Manusmrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>Let (the husband) approach his wife in due season, being constantly satisfied with her (alone); he may also, being intent on pleasing her, approach her with a desire for conjugal union (on any day) excepting the Parva days (Purnima and Amavasya). The natural (fertile) season of a woman generally lasts for sixteen nights (days) inclusive of the four days of the flow (of menstrual discharge) which are censured by the virtuous. Of these days (the sixteen days of Rtukala), the first four days (starting from the day of Rajodarshana), eleventh and thirteenth (so a total of six days) are forbidden by the wise for sexual union and the rest of the days (ten days) are recommended.<ref name=":0" />
The first four days of Rajodharma are included in Rtukala (sixteen days from the time menstruation starts) and a woman going through these four days is called a Rajasvala (रजस्वला).<ref name=":4" /> Manusmrti mentions about Rtukala thus<blockquote>ऋतुकालाभिगामी स्यात्स्वदारनिरतः सदा । पर्ववर्जं व्रजेच्चैनां तद्व्रतो रतिकाम्यया ॥३.४५॥</blockquote><blockquote>ऋतुः स्वाभाविकः स्त्रीणां रात्रयः षोडश स्मृताः । चतुर्भिरितरैः सार्धं अहोभिः सद्विगर्हितैः ॥३.४६॥</blockquote><blockquote>तासां आद्याश्चतस्रस्तु निन्दितैकादशी च या । त्रयोदशी च शेषास्तु प्रशस्ता दशरात्रयः ॥३.४७॥ (Manu. Smrt. 3.45-47)<ref name=":0">Manusmrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>Let (the husband) approach his wife in due season, being constantly satisfied with her (alone); he may also, being intent on pleasing her, approach her with a desire for conjugal union (on any day) excepting the Parva days (Purnima and Amavasya). The natural (fertile) season of a woman generally lasts for sixteen nights (days) inclusive of the four days of the flow (of menstrual discharge) which are censured by the virtuous. Of these days (the sixteen days of Rtukala), the first four days (starting from the day of Rajodarshana), eleventh and thirteenth (so a total of six days) are forbidden by the wise for sexual union and the rest of the days (ten days) are recommended.<ref>Dutt, Manmath Nath, (1979) ''The Dharam Shastra, Hindu Religious Codes (Manusmriti and others), Volume 5, English Translation and Text.'' New Delhi: Cosmo Publications (Pages 89-90)</ref>
Yajnavalkya smrti further states about Rtukala<blockquote>षोडशर्तुर्निशाः स्त्रीणां तस्मिन्युग्मासु संविशेत् । ब्रह्मचर्ये च पर्वाण्याद्याश्चतस्रो विवर्जयेत् ॥ (Yajn. Smrt. 1.49)</blockquote>He who does not seek union on the six forbidden days and on eight other days (out of the recommended ten days) is equated to a Brahmachari, irrespective of the order he belongs to.
Yajnavalkya smrti further states about Rtukala<blockquote>षोडशर्तुर्निशाः स्त्रीणां तस्मिन्युग्मासु संविशेत् । ब्रह्मचर्ये च पर्वाण्याद्याश्चतस्रो विवर्जयेत् ॥ (Yajn. Smrt. 1.49)</blockquote>He who does not seek union on the six forbidden days and on eight other days (out of the recommended ten days) is equated to a Brahmachari, irrespective of the order he belongs to.
Both smrti texts clearly mention the days when a woman should be approached by her husband for sexual union and the result of such an association (like male, female, twin children etc). It is said that union on the odd days (except 11th and 13th days) results in girl child if conceived and sons are born out of union on even days.
Both smrti texts clearly mention the days when a woman should be approached by her husband for sexual union and the result of such an association (like male, female, twin children etc). It is said that union on the odd days (except 11th and 13th days) results in girl child if conceived and sons are born out of union on even days.
रजस्वला ॥ Rajasvala Stree
=== रजस्वला इत्याख्यानम् ॥ Name Rajasvala to Menstruating Women ===
According to a legend narrated in Taittriya Samhita, and later elaborated in many [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]], [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]] once out of his pride insulted Devaguru Brhaspati, because of which he dissociated from them, leaving the Devatas without a preceptor. After consulting with Brahma, devatas decide to instill Tvaastra (also called Vishvarupa and Trishiraska, Trishira), the son of Tvashtra as the Acharya for devatas. His three heads were engaged in three activities Somapana (drinking Soma), Surapana (drinking Sura or liquor) and Anna-aadana (eating food) तस्य त्रीणि शीर्षाण्य् आसन्त् सोमपानꣳ सुरापानम् अन्नादनम् ।<ref name=":1">Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A Kanda 2 Prapathaka 5])</ref>
Vishvarupa's father Tvashtra was one of the Dvadasha Adityas but his mother was the sister of Daityas or Asuras, thus she belonged to the Asura clan. Outwardly Trishira supported the devatas but inwardly he was completely loyal to the Asuras. With affection for his maternal uncles, the Daityas, Vishvarupa secretly passed on the Yajna-bhaga (part of yajna offerings) belonging to the devatas to his maternal relatives. As a result the strength of the Daityas increased day after day. When Indra came to know this secret and Vishvarupa's role in it, he cut off the tree heads of Trishiras with his Vajrayudha. The head engaged in Somapana became Kapinjala (कपिञ्जल - a Chataka bird), the one engaged in Surapana became Kalavinka (कलविङ्क - a Cuckoo bird) and the one engaged in Anna-aadana became Tittiri (तित्तिरिः - Patridge sps). Indra came to be affected by the Brahmahatya papa (sin), which he bore until a year and then to purify himself from such malefic effects approached three entities<ref name=":4" />
* Prthvi (Earth) to accept one third of the Brahmahatya papa. She accepted barrenness (Usarabhumi) as a result but also received a boon from Indra that all the unevenness of earth be removed.
* Vrksha (Trees) to accept one third of the Brahmahatya papa. They accepted Brahmahatya dosha seen in the form of gum seen in trees. In return they received the boon that upon being cut they will regain that part.
* Stree (Women) to accept another one third of the Brahmahatya papa. They accepted the dosha of Indra which manifested as Rajasraava for four months in approximately a month. In return they receive a boon to enjoy the company of the males at all times and to beget children after menses which was earlier restricted to the time of Rtukala (sixteen days) only. Because of papa which appears as Rajasraava, she has stained clothes and is called मलवद्वासा or रजस्वला also.
<blockquote>स स्त्रीषꣳसादम् उपासीदद् अस्यै ब्रह्महत्यायै तृतीयम् प्रति गृह्णीतेति ता अब्रुवन् वरं वृणामहा ऋत्वियात् प्रजां विन्दामहै कामम् आ विजनितोः सम् भवामेति तस्माद् ऋत्वियात् स्त्रियः प्रजां विन्दन्ते कामम् आ विजनितोः सम् भवन्ति वारेवृतꣳ ह्य् आसाम् । तृतीयम् ब्रह्महत्यायै प्रत्य् अगृह्णन्त् सा मलवद्वासा अभवत् तस्मान् मलवद्वाससा न सं वदेत । (Tait. Samh. 2.5.1.5)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>By distributing his dosha Indra purified himself and similarly woman also is said to attain purity every month after the Rtusnana or purification bath.
According to Sanskarprakasha, the Brahmahatya papa of Indra is distributed in one-fourth parts each, to the above three as well as to Jala (water). The papa is visible as foam, bubbles etc in water which is removed before usage.<ref name=":4" />
=== रजस्वलानियमाः ॥ Special Vidhis for Rajasvalas ===
Shastras state that a woman before her Rtusnana (the purificatory bath of a woman after four days of menstruation) is called Artavi or Rajasvala.<blockquote>मलवद्वाससा न सं वदेत न सहाऽऽसीत नास्या अन्नम् अद्याद् ब्रह्महत्यायै ह्य् एषा वर्णम् प्रतिमुच्याऽऽस्ते । अथो खल्व् आहुर् अभ्यञ्जनं वाव स्त्रिया अन्नम् अभ्यञ्जनम् एव न प्रतिगृह्यं कामम् अन्यद् इति । (Tait. Samh. 2.5.1.6)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>
== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Shastras]]
[[Category:Shastras]]
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