Let me make it clear. This book – The Sabrimala Confusion: Menstruation across cultures – is NOT an easy book to read, and that does not mean it’s not fascinating. It indeed is. But the human body, including menstruation, is complicated. So are our religious and cultural practices around them. The author has done his best to explain and give context to WHY such traditions are practiced and explain the logic behind them.

In this enlightening book, the author delves into the diverse perceptions of menstruation across a spectrum of cultures and belief systems, ranging from Indic religions to Abrahamic faiths and the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, as well as various indigenous communities.

As I peruse the pages, Ms. Ojha’s forward encapsulates the essence of the book perfectly. The author unravels the intricate tapestry of menstruation in the Indic Tradition, meticulously comparing it with beliefs from different cultures, both historical and contemporary. In doing so, she places this natural phenomenon in a broader context.

The book serves as a poignant reminder of the rich heritage of passing down menstrual practices, wisdom flowing from mothers to daughters and grandmothers to granddaughters. It laments how, in the name of modernity, these valuable traditions have been unjustly sidelined. Instead of embracing the holistic view of menstruation, contemporary discussions have been predominantly reduced to the realm of biology. Other vital facets, such as the subjective experiences, cultural knowledge, and spirituality surrounding menstruation, have been unfairly stigmatized as mere taboos and superstitions.

Moreover, the book boldly challenges the prevailing narrative that suggests Indian women lack access to hygienic menstrual products or predominantly engage in unhygienic and superstitious practices. It contends that such misleading narratives, often rooted in assumptions of poverty, illiteracy, and cultural practices enforced by patriarchy, may have been concocted for ulterior motives.

Intricately researched and thought-provoking, this book offers readers a profound exploration of menstruation’s multifaceted tapestry, dispelling myths and misconceptions while celebrating the deep-rooted wisdom and traditions that deserve recognition in our modern world.

The book begins with the Hindu View of Menstruation, this segment is given the most focus and is discussed in thorough detail, to clear the misconceptions about the traditions in the Sanatan Dharma. It talks about the lunar cycle and how it connects with menstruation, but mainly about the Story of Indra, of how menstruation came into existence according to Hinduism. About ASHAUCHA. 

It also discusses the key principles that can be derived from the narrative, and what things should be practised during, in extreme detail. Another important discussion is about Traditions that have been since inception. This segment ends with discussing the Yogic & Ayurvedic perspectives on Menstruation. The author discusses various scriptures and explains in great detail, the practices that should be followed and how they are beneficial for both the body and the soul.

Other Indic Religions, such as Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism, have some traditions very similar as Hinduism, although origination might be different. Buddhism, for example, percives all bodies as being polluting, although the female body takes the larger burden of impurity. Hindu traditions also perceive different conditions under which both men and women enter Ashaucha (Impurity).

Both Buddhism and Jainism accept women in ascetic orders, but both consider women as being at a disadvantage with regard to the “Buddhahood” or final liberation. The Buddhists think due to their being at a greater stage of suffering and impurity, The Jains perceive women at being at a greater state of Himsa(Injury). Hindu traditions do not consider women as being incapableor even at a disadvantage of attaining Moksha.

In Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, disregards the purity-impurity prevalent in Hinduism and Buddhism and adopts a moralistic view of life. The Knowledgeable often hold this change in perspective as radical and reformist, it is important to note that as Sikhism was growing in India at the time of Islamic Invaders and it was a very troublesome time.

The author then further talks about Menstruation notions in the Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

In Judaism, menstruation attained a very crucial role in medical times, and the observance of menstrual laws became a “defining criteria of Jewishness”, one that was used by the Jews to set them apart from the Christians. Jews believed that they were pure and holy because they maintained Levitical Purity Laws, while Christians were impure and idolatrous because they maintained sexual relations with Menstruant women.

Niddah and the laws associated with it became a central element of not only the Jewish Lifestyle but also Jewish identity. Niddah refers to a state of ritual impurity into which a woman enters when she experiences uterine bleeding, especially after she becomes aware of that bleeding. The practice of Niddah by Jewish women entails their adhering to certain do’s and don’ts during that period.

The guiding principles of Niddah can be divided into three parts: Complete separation of husband and wife during the bleeding days, the practice of sexual abstinence during the seven clean days after the menses and the examination and cleansing during the clean days ending with final purification in Mikvah (a bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion).

Ketubot 61b (a special type of Jewish Prenuptial agreement) states that a menstruating woman is permitted to engage in all the same activities as a non-menstruating woman with three exceptions – making her husband’s bed, washing his feet and pouring him wine – acts that might lead him to break the Levitical purity laws and have sexual relations with the menstruant.

Christianity is an outgrowth of Judaism, as many of you might know, so many of the things in the “Old Testament “, were brought back in the “New Testament”. Though Christians have attempted to define their separate identity several times throughout history, there are several differences too. Menstruation was used as one of the tools towards the end. Like Judaism, Christianity derives its primary views about menstruation from Leviticus, part of the Old Testament.

In contrast to Judaism, Christianity does not adhere to menstruation practices like Niddah and Mikveh. Instead, Christians believe that Baptism, the rite of purification and admission into Christianity, frees women from impurities, including those related to menstruation. This perspective is mention in the texts of Methodius of Olympus and Clement of Alexandria.

Throughout much of Christian history, menstruation has been viewed with caution, leading to various restrictions and taboos. William E. Phillips highlights the enduring taboo surrounding menstruation, often discussed in hushed tones, primarily in conversations between women. The embarrassment has sometimes led mothers to neglect to provide their daughters with adequate information about their first menstruation.

One dark chapter in Christian history involves the persecution of women on charges of witchcraft in Early Modern Europe. Miriam Simos describes the terror of this period, where individuals, often accused by spiteful neighbors or fretful children, were arrested without warning and considered guilty until proven innocent. These witch hunts were fueled by medieval Christian beliefs about menstruation. Theories regarding the body played a significant role in the complex witchcraft beliefs of the time, with menstruation seen as a means of exchange between supernatural forces and the physical world.

While some Indian Christians also associate sin and pollution with menstruation and observe certain restrictions during their menses, a 2016 study shows that many Christian women have moved away from such practices.

Islam, with its roots in Judaism and Christianity, recognizes key figures like Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus as messengers of God. However, Prophet Mohammad is regarded as the final messenger, and his teachings hold supremacy in Islam. This Abrahamic monotheistic heritage means that Islamic perspectives on menstruation draw from Judaism and Christianity, including their concepts of impurity and sin.

In Islamic life, purity and impurity, known as Tahana and Najasa, are of utmost importance. Water plays a central role in purification rituals. Islam prescribes two types of ablution for purification: Wudu and Ghusl. Wudu is a mandatory practice performed before each of the five daily prayers, while Ghusl is a more elaborate purification process reserved for specific situations.

1. Shahada: After a new Muslim takes the Shahada (witness prayer) for the first time.
2. Sexual Intercourse: Following sexual intercourse where semen or sexual fluids have been discharged.
3. Menstrual Cycle Completion: After a woman completes her menstrual cycle.

Menstrual and postnatal blood are considered impure, distinguishing them from blood that might emerge from other parts of the body. Since menstruation is viewed as an impure condition, characterized by both sexual and ritual impurity, women are prohibited from praying or fasting, even during Ramadan, while menstruating. Additionally, sexual intercourse is not allowed for seven days during this time.

Menarche is a significant milestone for women in Islamic culture, marking their readiness to assume the responsibilities expected of practicing Muslims. This includes praying five times a day and fasting during Ramadan. Interestingly, men also begin their religious duties only after experiencing their first emission of semen.

While the Quranic account of Adam and Eve treats them as a couple equally responsible for their actions, later texts deviate from this narrative. These post-Quranic texts place more emphasis on Eve’s role and link it to the fall of women in general.

Understanding these facets of Islamic views on menstruation sheds light on the intersection of religious beliefs and daily life for Muslim women.

While both Christians and Muslims observe many menstruation practices similar to Hinduism, like Christian women not undertaking communion or Muslim women not fasting or praying during menstruation, the underlying principle which guides these practices is fundamentally different from those observed in Hinduism or in other Non-Abrahamic traditions.

Some Modern Academics have tried to read negatively the association of menstruation with impurity in Hinduism, most such views don’t have a factual basis and are an outcome of a pre-conceived bias and ignorance about Ashaucha. This is no evidence in Hindu History, which is comparable to witch hunting and burning in Christianity, or the severe restrictions placed on women in Islam. Instead , we have enormous evidence regarding the celebration of menstruation among different Hindu communities.

It is discussed how most cultures and communities have some notion of impurity and sacredness attached to menstruation. The book is an unbiased examination of menstruation from the various sections of society’s Point of view. This book discussed the topic in extreme detail and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend that you pick up the book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

Buy this book here: https://amzn.to/3s3h4rF