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Ancient texts such as Vedas, Puranas, the Itihasas, Smrti granthas (Parashara Smrti, Apastamba Smrti, Manusmrti, Atri Smrti etc) Charaka samhita, Sushruta samhita have all described about the purity of women and the changes that happen at the time of menstruation in women along with the associated vidhis to be practiced by them. Women who are in their monthly menstrual cycle or "periods" are said to have entered a temporary period (four days) of Asoucha according to Sanatana Dharma texts. Parashara Smrti describes the process of purification procedures.<blockquote>भस्मना शुध्यते कांस्यं ताम्रमम्लेन शुध्यति ॥ रजसा शुध्यते नारी विकलं या न गच्छति । (Para. Smrt. 7.3-4)<ref name=":5">Parashara Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>bhasmanā śudhyatē kāṁsyaṁ tāmramamlēna śudhyati ॥ rajasā śudhyatē nārī vikalaṁ yā na gacchati । (Para. Smrt. 7.3-4)</blockquote>Bronze is purified by the presence of Bhasma (ash), and copper by acidic cleanser (substance), by the flow of menstrual discharge (रजसा) a woman is purified. (Also mentioned in Vashishta Dharmasutras 3.58).

Ancient texts such as Vedas, Puranas, the Itihasas, Smrti granthas (Parashara Smrti, Apastamba Smrti, Manusmrti, Atri Smrti etc) Charaka samhita, Sushruta samhita have all described about the purity of women and the changes that happen at the time of menstruation in women along with the associated vidhis to be practiced by them. Women who are in their monthly menstrual cycle or "periods" are said to have entered a temporary period (four days) of Asoucha according to Sanatana Dharma texts. Parashara Smrti describes the process of purification procedures.<blockquote>भस्मना शुध्यते कांस्यं ताम्रमम्लेन शुध्यति ॥ रजसा शुध्यते नारी विकलं या न गच्छति । (Para. Smrt. 7.3-4)<ref name=":5">Parashara Smrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>bhasmanā śudhyatē kāṁsyaṁ tāmramamlēna śudhyati ॥ rajasā śudhyatē nārī vikalaṁ yā na gacchati । (Para. Smrt. 7.3-4)</blockquote>Bronze is purified by the presence of Bhasma (ash), and copper by acidic cleanser (substance), by the flow of menstrual discharge (रजसा) a woman is purified. (Also mentioned in Vashishta Dharmasutras 3.58).

[[Rajodharma (रजोधर्मः)]], is the naturally occurring biological phenomenon uniquely seen in a woman. However, as per the legend in the Taittriya Samhita which was later explained in many Puranic versions, Rajodharma in women is attributed to the one-fourth share of the Brahmahatyadosha of Indra, the ruler of the celestial worlds. After Indra killed Trishira the son of Tvashtra Prajapati, he is haunted by Brahmahatya-papa. In order to get rid of that he distributed it among Jala (water), Prthvi (earth), Vrkshas (trees) and Stree (women). For this favour shown to him, Indra grants boons to all of them. Women received the boon of being allowed to live with their husbands at all times in return for bearing the Brahmahatyadosha every month for three days. Prior to this women lived with their husbands only during the days of Rtukala (16 days of fertile time).<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>शश्वत्कामवरेणांहस्तुरीयं जगृहुः स्त्रियः । रजोरूपेण तास्वंहो मासि मासि प्रदृश्यते ॥ ९ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.9)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Skanda 6 Adhyaya 9])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>śaśvatkāmavarēṇāṁhasturīyaṁ jagr̥huḥ striyaḥ । rajōrūpēṇa tāsvaṁhō māsi māsi pradr̥śyatē ॥ 9 ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.9)</blockquote>Indra's Brahmahatyadosha came to be visible in the form of Rajasraava during the reproductive phase of a woman. Thus associated with such Rajodharma for a few days in a month she came to be known as Rajasvala (रजस्वला), Rtumati (ऋतुमती), Udaki (उदकी), Pushpini (पुष्पिणी), Aatreyi (आत्रेयी), Malavadvasa (मलवद्वसा), Rajaki (रजकी) and Aartavi (आर्तवी).<ref name=":4" />

[[Rajodharma (रजोधर्मः)]], is the natural biological phenomenon seen in all mammals however, the menstrual discharge is seen the female gender of the human species and primates (and a few other mammals). Most of the mammals having a covert menstruation which gets completely absorbed by the body if the egg is not fertilized.  

 

However, Sanatana Dharma texts have identified the existence of (the biological process) of Rajodharma (menstrual cycles in which there is a vaginal discharge of menstrual blood) in the female gender of the human species and instilled traditions and practices for women. As per the legend in the Taittriya Samhita which was later explained in many Puranic versions, Rajodharma in women is attributed to the one-fourth share of the Brahmahatyadosha of Indra, the ruler of the celestial worlds. After Indra killed Trishiraska the son of Tvashtra Prajapati, he is haunted by Brahmahatya-papa. In order to get rid of that he distributed it among Jala (water), Prthvi (earth), Vrkshas (trees) and Stree (women). For this favour shown to him, Indra grants boons to all of them. Women received the boon of being allowed to live with their husbands at all times in return for bearing the Brahmahatyadosha every month for three days. Prior to this women lived with their husbands only during the days of Rtukala (16 days of fertile time).<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>शश्वत्कामवरेणांहस्तुरीयं जगृहुः स्त्रियः । रजोरूपेण तास्वंहो मासि मासि प्रदृश्यते ॥ ९ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.9)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Skanda 6 Adhyaya 9])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>śaśvatkāmavarēṇāṁhasturīyaṁ jagr̥huḥ striyaḥ । rajōrūpēṇa tāsvaṁhō māsi māsi pradr̥śyatē ॥ 9 ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 6.9.9)</blockquote>Indra's Brahmahatyadosha came to be visible in the form of Rajasraava during the reproductive phase of a woman. Thus associated with such Rajodharma for a few days in a month she came to be known as Rajasvala (रजस्वला), Rtumati (ऋतुमती), Udaki (उदकी), Pushpini (पुष्पिणी), Aatreyi (आत्रेयी), Malavadvasa (मलवद्वसा), Rajaki (रजकी) and Aartavi (आर्तवी).<ref name=":4" />

==== Determining the Period of Rajasvala Asoucha ====

==== Determining the Period of Rajasvala Asoucha ====

* Asoucha is restricted to three days and if blood continues to flow after four days due to some illness, it will cause no further Asoucha.

* Asoucha is restricted to three days and if blood continues to flow after four days due to some illness, it will cause no further Asoucha.

<blockquote>रोगेण यद्रजः स्त्रीणां अन्वहं तु प्रवर्तते ।। ७.१६ ।। rōgēṇa yadrajaḥ strīṇāṁ anvahaṁ tu pravartatē ।। 7.16 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>नाशुचिः सा ततस्तेन तत्स्याद्वैकालिकं मतम् । साध्वाचारा न तावत्स्याद्रजो यावत्प्रवर्तते ।। ७.१७ ।। (Para. Smrt. 7.16-17)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>nāśuciḥ sā tatastēna tatsyādvaikālikaṁ matam । sādhvācārā na tāvatsyādrajō yāvatpravartatē ।। 7.17 ।। (Para. Smrt. 7.16-17)</blockquote>

<blockquote>रोगेण यद्रजः स्त्रीणां अन्वहं तु प्रवर्तते ।। ७.१६ ।। rōgēṇa yadrajaḥ strīṇāṁ anvahaṁ tu pravartatē ।। 7.16 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>नाशुचिः सा ततस्तेन तत्स्याद्वैकालिकं मतम् । साध्वाचारा न तावत्स्याद्रजो यावत्प्रवर्तते ।। ७.१७ ।। (Para. Smrt. 7.16-17)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>nāśuciḥ sā tatastēna tatsyādvaikālikaṁ matam । sādhvācārā na tāvatsyādrajō yāvatpravartatē ।। 7.17 ।। (Para. Smrt. 7.16-17)</blockquote>

* Any other menstrual discharge apart from the regular monthly cycle is not associated with this Asoucha.

* Any other vaginal discharge or bleeding apart from the regular monthly menses is not associated with this Asoucha.

== Discussion ==

== Discussion ==