Beyond The Body: Menstruation, Purity And Dharmasastra

Abstract

Menstruation in many societies is more than a biological process. There are regulations and beliefs related to menstruation across culture. The beliefs about menstruation are a part of female socialization in society. The social functions of menstrual taboos are varied in different cultures. Menstruation is  viewed as a means to subordinate women, some cultures gave women access to gender exclusive ritual powers and women were given both containing and enhancing power by certain societies. This paper is an attempt to examine menstruation through the lens of Dharmasastras and  argue that menstruation more than a biological process is considered as impure and sign of threat to patriarchal domination.