- By Kashish Rai
- Tue, 22 Apr 2025 01:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Premanad Ji Maharaj Ekantik Vartalap: Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj of Vrindavan is among the most renowned and followed spiritual gurus of India. His followers have immense respect for his wisdom and frequently seek his guidance on matters relating to spirituality and personal growth. In the Ekantik Vartalap sessions, followers get the special privilege of questioning him personally and seeking advice for their personal as well as spirituality-related challenges.
In one of his recent discourses, Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj answered a query which usually sprouts up in the minds of women devotees: Should women carry on their pilgrimage and go to temples if they start menstruating along the way? His sensitive and wise reply is advice born of understanding and devotion. The reply to this question by Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj is shared as an instagram reel by Maharaj Ji’s official instagram handle - Bhajan Marg.
In his answer, Maharaj Ji emphasised that menstruation is a normal biological process common to all women. It is neither impure nor something shameful, but an integral part of the divine plan of the human body. He mentioned that if a woman happens to get her period during the time of pilgrimage, she need not be demoralised or feel that she is not deserving of darshan from God. The hard work and dedication that go into taking up a pilgrimage are serious business, and seeking darshan of the Lord must not be missed due to natural bodily functions such as menstruation.
However, Maharaj Ji also explained some respectful practices to follow during this time. He said that women must do a ritual cleansing by showering Ganga water on themselves prior to going near the temple. Though they cannot go inside the sanctum or offer flowers and prasad directly, they can still take darshan at a distance, remaining respectfully away from the deity. This method respects both the temple's sanctity and bodily processes naturally.
Premanand Ji Maharaj is one of the most venerated and followed Hindu Gurus. Devotees often seek solutions to their queries from the Spiritual Guru during Ekantik Vartalap sessions. (Image Source: VrindavanRasMahima.com)
He additionally added that menstruation should not be considered an impediment to religious practices. Throughout this time, women can be doing devotional work like chanting the Lord's name, singing bhajans and meditation. These help to keep the mind concentrated on the divine and uphold the spiritual link even while some rituals are temporarily not practised during menstruation.
Maharaj Ji also shared a deep insight into the cultural beliefs towards menstruation. In this video, he also shares that, as per ancient traditions, women took a major part in the responsibility of Indra's sin, and that is why menstruation happens in their body. This act is considered a selfless sacrifice by women, and hence, menstruation must become a symbol of strength and empathy instead of filth.
The teachings of Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj support women to proceed along their path of spirituality with self-confidence and commitment regardless of their menstrual cycle. A balanced practice, as taught by him, allows reverence of religious customs alongside acceptance of nature's rhythms to the body and avoids leaving out any devotee based on bodily natural processes from being on the path of devotion.