Pushpvati Vichar Tatha Sutak Vicahr

This document is a Jain religious text titled "Pushpavati Vichar Tatha Sutak Vichar" (Discourse on Menstruation and Discourse on Impurity), authored by Khimji Bhimsinh Manek and published by Bhimsinh Manek. The text is a compilation of various discussions and guidelines related to menstruation (referred to as "Pushpavati" or "Rutuvanti") and impurity in the context of Jainism.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key themes and content:

Core Philosophy and Introduction (Pages 3-8):

• The Three Jewels of Jainism: The introduction emphasizes the importance of the three core principles in Jainism for the well-being of all beings: Arihant (divine beings), Sadhus (monks), and Dharma (the teachings of the Tirthankaras).
• Importance of Non-Transgression (Anashatana): It highlights that respecting these three jewels (Anashatana) is crucial for spiritual progress, while disrespecting them (Ashatana) leads to suffering.
• Two Types of Impurity: The text distinguishes between two types of impurity:
  • Nava Ashuchi (Subtle Impurity): This refers to impurities related to the mind, thoughts, emotions, and subtle forms of impurity, often linked to negative passions (kashayas) and inauspicious states of mind (ashubha leshyas). The text states that the foul smell emanating from decomposed animals is infinitely less pungent than the impurity associated with these mental states.
  • Dravya Ashuchi (Gross Impurity): This refers to gross or physical impurities, often seen as the cause of Nava Ashuchi. The text emphasizes the need to first address and remove Dravya Ashuchi.
• Menstruation as a Major Impurity: The book identifies menstruation ("Pushpavati" or "Rutuvanti") as a significant cause of impurity and a primary source of "Ashatana" (transgression or disrespect). It states that failing to properly observe the prescribed conduct during this period is a major cause of impurity and leads to negative consequences.
• Purpose of the Book: The book aims to provide guidance on how menstruating women should conduct themselves, drawing from ancient scriptures and teachings. It compiles four important texts on this subject to educate the general public.
• Consequences of Following or Disregarding the Teachings: The book warns that following the teachings will lead to great happiness, while disregarding them will result in the loss of wealth, intellect, and faith, ultimately leading to a life of delusion and suffering.
• Debunking Misconceptions: The text addresses and refutes the notion that menstruation itself is not impure or that its impurity is negligible. It argues that the impurity associated with menstruation is distinct and significant, referencing scriptural explanations for various bodily impurities.

Detailed Guidelines for Menstruating Women (Pages 9-26):

This section forms the core of the book and provides a comprehensive list of prohibited actions and behaviors for menstruating women. These guidelines cover various aspects of daily life and religious practices:

• General Conduct:
  • Avoid touching or using other people's clothes.
  • Do not go out after sunset or at night.
  • Do not sit in darkness during the day.
  • Avoid looking at flower sellers or visiting temples with the intention of seeing flowers.
  • Do not engage in religious observances like Darshan (seeing idols), Puja (worship), or bowing to Gurus during this period.
  • Do not participate in religious processions like Jalyatra or Rathayatra.
• Religious Practices:
  • Do not listen to religious stories (Ras), lectures, or religious discourses.
  • Do not undertake vows (Vrat) or partake in Pakhshik (a fortnightly religious observance).
  • Do not read or write religious scriptures or participate in religious chants.
  • Do not perform any religious rituals like lighting lamps, offering incense, or worship.
• Household Activities:
  • Avoid any writing or clerical work.
  • Do not engage in religious discussions.
  • Do not cook or prepare food for others.
  • Do not offer food to guests or servants.
  • Do not distribute offerings for religious ceremonies.
  • Do not help with cooking for religious ceremonies.
  • Do not offer water to ancestors.
  • Do not worship deities or offer them fruits, flowers, vermilion, etc.
  • Do not donate wealth or grains by hand.
  • Do not count or read grains.
  • Do not serve food or water to anyone.
  • Do not sing songs at weddings or other ceremonies.
  • Do not cut or clean grains.
  • Do not touch or prepare raw grains.
  • Avoid activities like grinding, pounding, or sifting.
  • Do not wash or prepare vegetables, fruits, or flowers.
  • Do not prepare ingredients for medicine or cooking.
  • Do not touch or consume sweet items like sugar, jaggery, ghee, oil, milk, curd, etc.
  • Avoid consuming foods with six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent).
  • Do not give food or water to sadhus or sadhvis.
  • Do not give alms to beggars.
  • Do not milk, tie, or handle cows or other cattle.
  • Do not churn milk or make butter.
  • Do not prepare curd.
  • Do not fetch water or wash utensils.
  • Avoid arguments or conflicts with anyone.
  • Do not engage in painting or drawing.
  • Do not participate in celebrations or festivals.
  • Avoid laughing loudly, making noise, or looking at playful activities.
  • Do not participate in preparing wedding feasts or other celebratory food items.
  • Do not tie or mend clothes.
  • Do not boil food for cattle.
  • Avoid any form of entertainment or play.
  • Do not accept food from others' homes, especially if sitting together.
  • Do not serve food to anyone or converse privately with others.
  • Do not use toothpaste, kohl, perfumes, or oils.
  • Do not bathe or wear clean clothes.
  • Do not look in the mirror.
  • Do not wear flower garlands.
  • Do not eat at night.
  • Do not drink water in a way that makes noise.
  • Do not shell or process lentils or grains.
  • Do not sit on a swing.
  • Do not eat betel nuts or roasted grains.
  • Do not read letters or documents.
  • Do not laugh or speak loudly.
  • Do not eat nutritious food.
  • Do not eat from metal utensils.
  • If using earthen, wooden, or stone utensils, discard them after use.
  • Do not sleep on a cot or bed.
  • Do not drink wine or intoxicating beverages.
  • Do not clap hands.
  • Do not participate in group dances (Ras) with other women.
  • Do not meet or interact with men.
  • Do not bathe naked children.
  • Do not wander around the house.
  • Do not sit down to braid hair.
  • Do not apply oil to hair.
  • Do not bathe or clean oneself.
  • Do not apply vermilion in the hair parting.
  • Do not comb hair.
  • If a menstruating woman enters a temple with water in her hands, she will not attain spiritual merit and will experience hellish suffering.
  • If a menstruating woman unknowingly enters the nine sacred areas, she will be reborn as a snake or scorpion.
  • If a menstruating woman travels in a procession or pilgrimage, she will suffer in hell.
• Re-purification and Post-Menstrual Practices:
  • After three days of menstruation, on the fourth day, a woman can take a ritual bath to become pure.
  • On the fourth day, it is recommended to purify the house with cow urine and cow dung paste.
  • After purification, she can resume cooking.
  • On the seventh day, she can participate in religious worship.
  • The text details auspicious times for conception and the potential characteristics of offspring based on these times.

Discourse on Impurity and Conduct (Pages 27-30):

• "Boti Nivarana" (Removal of Boti): This section discusses "Boti," which appears to refer to various forms of impurity or negative influences, particularly related to women's conduct. It emphasizes that neglecting these can lead to the decay of lineage and hinder religious practices.
• Consequences of "Boti": The text links "Boti" to various afflictions like blindness, infertility, skin diseases, and mental disorders. It also speaks of negative influences on plants and the environment.
• Purification Rituals: It outlines purification rituals involving fasting, bathing, and changing clothes.
• Prohibitions related to water sources: It prohibits using water from rivers or lakes for bathing or other purposes if they have been polluted.
• Consequences of Non-Compliance: The text warns that women who do not adhere to these principles will suffer greatly and be reborn in hellish realms or as animals.
• Merits of Adherence: Conversely, those who follow these principles will experience worldly happiness and eventually attain liberation.

Discourse on Sutak (Impurity due to Birth/Death) (Pages 31-35):

• Duration of Sutak: This section details the period of impurity (Sutak) following birth and death in the family.
  • Birth impurity: 10 days for a son, 11 days for a daughter.
  • Death impurity: 12 days.
  • During Sutak, certain religious activities like offering food to Sadhus, worshipping idols, and using fire from the household are prohibited.
• Specific Circumstances: It also mentions impurity periods for servants, different types of deaths (e.g., ascetic's death), and infant deaths.
• Other Impurities: The text also discusses impurity related to animal births and deaths, as well as the impurity associated with milk from cows and buffaloes.
• Sammurchim Jiva: It explains the concept of "Sammurchim Jiva" (creatures born from condensation or without proper procreation) and their impurity periods in cow urine, milk, etc.
• Concluding Remarks: The section concludes by emphasizing the importance of observing these rules for spiritual progress and attaining heavenly or liberated states.

Gathas on Menstruation and Ethical Conduct for Women (Pages 36-38):

• Gathas on Pushpavati: These verses reiterate the importance of proper conduct during menstruation and the severe consequences of transgressions. They emphasize the spiritual merit gained by adhering to the principles.
• Ethical Conduct for Women (Shil Palvana Bol): This section provides a list of 31 ethical guidelines for women, focusing on maintaining modesty, self-control, and respect in their interactions with men and within the family. These include:
  • Avoiding physical contact and inappropriate conversations with men.
  • Maintaining modesty in speech, dress, and behavior.
  • Respecting elders and avoiding arguments.
  • Not revealing family secrets.
  • Maintaining self-control and dignity.

Other Sections:

• List of Books: Page 2 contains a list of other Jain religious books published by the same publisher, indicating a broader collection of Jain literature.
• Publisher and Printer Information: The final pages provide details about the publisher and printer, along with advertisements for other Jain publications like the Jain Panchang and religious tracts.

In essence, "Pushpavati Vichar Tatha Sutak Vichar" is a comprehensive guide to the Jain principles of purity and conduct, with a particular focus on the specific rules and rituals surrounding menstruation and the impurity associated with birth and death. It aims to promote adherence to these guidelines for spiritual growth and to prevent suffering in this life and future ones.