Changes

Both smrti texts clearly mention the time in terms of nights when a woman should be approached by her husband for 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 time in terms of nights when a woman should be approached by her husband for 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.

=== आयुर्वेददृष्टिकोणम् ॥ Ayurveda Viewpoint ===

== आयुर्वेददृष्टिकोणम् ॥ Ayurveda Viewpoint ==

Bharatiya Ayurveda shastra has enlightened us on the aspects related to menstrual flow and important Ayurvedic texts - Charaka and Sushruta samhitas - have discussed this topic with a holistic approach. [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] has always considered not just physical or mental health while assessing a patient; on the contrary it addresses the patient's constitution and the combination of Doshas involved in the physiological manifestations of a human body. Artava or menstrual blood is classified as the eighth dhatu<blockquote>रसादेव स्त्रिया रक्तं रजःसंज्ञं प्रवर्तते । .... आर्तवं शोणितं त्वाग्नेयम् अग्नीषोमीयत्वाद्गर्भस्य ७ (Sush. Samh. Sutrasthana 14.6-7)<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5% Sutrasthana])</ref></blockquote>Described as one of the saptadhatus (seven dhatus), blood is different from Artava (आर्तवं) or menstrual blood in that the normal blood is said to be of "soumya" quality whereas Artava blood is said to be "agneya". Thus Artava is classified as eighth dhatu. So men have seven dhatus only whereas women have eight dhatus with the additional dhatu in the form of Artava or menstrual blood.<ref name=":4" />

Bharatiya Ayurveda shastra has enlightened us on the aspects related to menstrual flow and important Ayurvedic texts - Charaka and Sushruta samhitas - have discussed this topic with a holistic approach. [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] has always considered not just physical or mental health while assessing a patient; on the contrary it addresses the patient's constitution and the combination of Doshas involved in the physiological manifestations of a human body. Raja and Artava are are the 2 terms mostly synonymously used to indicate menstrual blood, ovum, female reproductive hormones etc in Ayurveda.  

While menstruation is recognized as a natural physiological process, it divides the monthly cycles into Rtukala, Rtu Vyateeta kala and Rajasraava kala and each of these phases are predominated by a different Dosha.<ref name=":6" />

While menstruation is recognized as a natural physiological process, it divides the monthly cycles into Rtukala, Rtu Vyateeta kala and Rajasraava kala and each of these phases are predominated by a different Dosha.<ref name=":6" />

* '''Rtukala - Proliferative phase''' (12 - 16 days) during which follicles inside the ovaries develop and mature in preparation for ovulation. This phase is dominated by Kapha Dosha.

* '''Rtukala (ऋतुकालः) - Proliferative phase''' (12 - 16 days) during which follicles inside the ovaries develop and mature in preparation for ovulation. This phase is dominated by Kapha Dosha.

* '''RtuVyateetakala - Secretory Phase''' (9 - 13 days) during which hormones and nutrients are secreted in anticipation of nourishing the embryo if conception were to take place. This phase is dominated by Pitta Dosha.

* '''RtuVyateetakala (ऋतुव्यतीतकालः) - Secretory Phase''' (9 - 13 days) during which hormones and nutrients are secreted in anticipation of nourishing the embryo if conception were to take place. This phase is dominated by Pitta Dosha.

* '''Rajasraava-kala - Menstrual Phase''' (3 - 5 days) during which the menstrual blood along with the endometrium is shed from the body. This phase is dominated by Vata Dosha (and Apana Vayu).

* '''Rajasraava-kala (रजस्रावकालः) - Menstrual Phase''' (3 - 5 days) during which the menstrual blood along with the endometrium is shed from the body. This phase is dominated by Vata Dosha (and Apana Vayu).

== रजस्वला इत्याख्यानम् ॥ Name Rajasvala to Menstruating Women ==

== रजस्वला इत्याख्यानम् ॥ Name Rajasvala to Menstruating Women ==

#* पुण्यश्लोकस्मरणम् - remember shlokas (mental recitation)

#* पुण्यश्लोकस्मरणम् - remember shlokas (mental recitation)

#* पुण्यग्रन्थोल्लिखित दयावीर-दानवीर-क्षमावीर-धर्मवीराणां स्मरणम् - remember and meditate on the stories of great personalities as well as pativratas such as Savitri and others.

#* पुण्यग्रन्थोल्लिखित दयावीर-दानवीर-क्षमावीर-धर्मवीराणां स्मरणम् - remember and meditate on the stories of great personalities as well as pativratas such as Savitri and others.

From the above discussion, we can very well note the importance of activities of a woman during her rtusravata time and the effect on the child she conceives. The underlying concept here is that she be given rest, and be undisturbed so that she does not get stressed due to any reason. This is the time when she is totally aware of her femininity and it is the time of solitude and mentally engages herself in a tapas or penance. Elderly people reflect that during this time her fragile mental status is ready to take impressions and hence she should be reminded of positive things both in thoughts and in actions. For example, a broken utensil is symbolic of miscarriage, small vessels of short stature (of a child), breaking and tearing of things as well as binding a rope is symbolic of stress and unpleasantness. A woman is also told not to draw on the ground (making pictures) during this time because she is very susceptible to mental impressions. It is for this reason that while she is in seclusion she constantly remembers the good qualities of her husband, her personal time with him and bears that imprint strongly in her mind. This positive frame of mind brings about not only good marital relationship but also the transmission of good qualities to the child from the husband. She is asked to reminisce about great personalities such as Rama and Krishna so that the child she bears gets those qualities. Bharatiya texts abound with many instances where the mother's mental status has a clear bearing on the child's psychological nature. A famous legend is that of Pravarakhya and Varudhini.

From the above discussion, we can very well note the importance of activities of a woman during her rtusravata time and the effect on the child she conceives. The underlying concept here is that she be given rest, and be undisturbed so that she does not get stressed due to any reason. This is the time when she is totally aware of her femininity and it is the time of solitude and mentally engages herself in a tapas or penance. Elderly people reflect that during this time her fragile mental status is ready to take impressions and hence she should be reminded of positive things both in thoughts and in actions. For example, a broken utensil is symbolic of miscarriage, small vessels of short stature (of a child), breaking and tearing of things as well as binding a rope is symbolic of stress and unpleasantness. A woman is also told not to draw on the ground (making pictures) during this time because she is very susceptible to mental impressions. It is for this reason that while she is in seclusion she constantly reflects on the good qualities of her husband, her personal time with him and bears that imprint strongly in her mind. This positive frame of mind brings about not only good marital relationship but also the transmission of good qualities to the child from the husband. She is asked to reminisce about great personalities such as Rama and Krishna so that the child she bears gets those qualities.  

=== Exceptions ===

=== Exceptions ===

A vaidya is not restricted to reach out to a rajasvala in case of ill-health and does not get Asoucha in case she has to touch her to evaluate her. A woman suffering from any kind of uterine hemorrhage is not required to practice Asoucha niyamas, as in this case the menstrual discharge is due to a disease and not the outcome of a normal physiological function.<ref name=":3" />

A vaidya is not restricted to reach out to a rajasvala in case of ill-health and does not get Asoucha in case she has to touch her to evaluate her. A woman suffering from any kind of uterine hemorrhage is not required to practice Asoucha niyamas, as in this case the menstrual discharge is due to a disease and not the outcome of a normal physiological function.<ref name=":3" />

== Menstruation Dharmik Perspectives ==

== Dharmik Perspectives ==

Even to this day, the tradition of celebrating a girl's onset of puberty is practiced in many households across India observing many local customs, as a woman's reproductive phase is highly revered in dharmashastras. Stree is sacred and represents Adi Shakti, or Mahalakshmi or Supreme Deity (Feminine). She is the Prakrti which creates and sustains life on earth. Though in present days, this process is attached with many taboos and "looking down on women" or "discrimination". Many consider it as discrimination to restrict activity of women, however, according to dharmik perspective it is viewed as a period of rest for them from doing tough household chores.   

Even to this day, the tradition of celebrating a girl's onset of puberty is practiced in many households across India observing many local customs, as a woman's reproductive phase is highly revered in dharmashastras. Stree is sacred and represents Adi Shakti, or Mahalakshmi or Supreme Deity (Feminine). She is the Prakrti which creates and sustains life on earth. Though in present days, this process is attached with many taboos and "looking down on women" or "discrimination". Many consider it as discrimination to restrict activity of women, however, according to dharmik perspective it is viewed as a period of rest for them from doing tough household chores.   

During Ambubachi festival in Kamakhya temple in Assam, the temple is closed for three days to give rest to the Goddess, who is believed to be menstruating during that time. Similarly, during the Tulu festival called Keddasa in Karnataka, mother earth is believed to have begun her earthly menstrual cycle and is given a rest for three days. This is also practiced during Raja Parva (menstruation festival) in Odisha, where farmers don’t plough the land and give rest to Goddess earth.<ref name=":6" />

During Ambubachi festival in Kamakhya temple in Assam, the temple is closed for three days to give rest to the Goddess, who is believed to be menstruating during that time. Similarly, during the Tulu festival called Keddasa in Karnataka, mother earth is believed to have begun her earthly menstrual cycle and is given a rest for three days. This is also practiced during Raja Parva (menstruation festival) in Odisha, where farmers don’t plough the land and give rest to Goddess earth.<ref name=":6" />

== Discussion ==

== Discussion ==

The ayurvedic texts conclude that the paricharya prescribed for menstruating women will assist in the natural cleansing process and will restore health to menstruating women who face many symptoms from simple pimples to severe debilitating abdominal and lower backpain. The prescriptions aid by preventing any imbalance in the Doshas and nourish the Agni which is in a weakened state (Agnimandya) resulting in loss of appetite. Thus the diet prescribed is also simple and aids in rekindling the digestive fire. Doshas in ayurvedic terminology indicates the bodily attributes and it must be noted that the term does not imply "fault" of a woman.

The ayurvedic texts conclude that the paricharya prescribed for menstruating women will assist in the natural cleansing process and will restore health to menstruating women who face many symptoms from simple pimples to severe debilitating abdominal and lower backpain. The prescriptions aid by preventing any imbalance in the Doshas and nourish the Agni which is in a weakened state (Agnimandya) resulting in loss of appetite. Thus the diet prescribed is also simple and aid

 

\s in rekindling the digestive fire. Doshas in ayurvedic terminology indicates the bodily attributes and it must be noted that the term does not imply "fault" of a woman.

Restriction of other activities such as not sleeping during the day, not participating in strenuous exercises even household activities assist in fast healing of the delicate organs of a woman's body. These prescriptions primarily protect the woman who is the future mother, as her health effects the children born to her. It does not mean that each and every woman who does not follow the paricharya will end up having children who are afflicted with deafness, laziness or mental disorders. The gist is that the children born to such women are more suceptible to developing such conditions because of their exposure to the vitated doshas, while they were in their mother's womb.<ref name=":6" />

Restriction of other activities such as not sleeping during the day, not participating in strenuous exercises even household activities assist in fast healing of the delicate organs of a woman's body. These prescriptions primarily protect the woman who is the future mother, as her health effects the children born to her. It does not mean that each and every woman who does not follow the paricharya will end up having children who are afflicted with deafness, laziness or mental disorders. The gist is that the children born to such women are more suceptible to developing such conditions because of their exposure to the vitated doshas, while they were in their mother's womb.<ref name=":6" />

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />