Menstruation Across Cultures, a review

 One of the least discussed, most neglected and cloaked topics in our cultural discourse is menstruation. Since childhood, we learn to avoid the topic and skirt over it as an embarassment to be dealt with in private. In such a social scenario, 'Menstruation Across Cultures' by scholar Nithin Sridhar is one of the most important books in today's literary circles that should be read by all Indians -- men and women, Hindus and non-Hindus -- so that one of the most basic misconceptions in the Indian psyche can be dispelled. It will make further discourses on a variety of associated social issues like entry to temples like Sabarimala and others by women of menstruating age, more knowledgeable and logical, instead of the biased and theatrical narrative it has become.

 What is inherently wrong with the Indian system of discourse about Hindu practices is that it has been painted over by non-Indic thoughts and practices which were illogical when seen through our cultural and scriptural lens. I don't know why such alien practices seep into our culture so easily. Is it because we are defeated by our own porous, benevolent and non-resisting nature of accepting every other alien thought as ours? The book compares Hindu practices regarding menstruation and women with those of all other major cultures across the world, proving once again that the concept of 'impurity' in Hinduism is entirely different than that of other religions. The definition of impurity in Hindu culture got its negative meaning from other religions and yet, it is Hinduism that got all the blame. The author enunciates with proofs that Abhrahamic religions depict a woman's body and it's functions as sinful, something to be shunned and vilified, whereas Vedic religion celebrates, respects and worships womanhood. Practices such as separation during mentrual period and non-entry to places of worship exist in all major religions and are based on the concept of impurity, the author shows in the book. Most ancient religions including the Greek, Egyptian, Roman and unconnected tribals across the world celebrated menstruation as a positive sacred process asociated with fertility, similar to Hinduism. It is only the modern religions and modern-day misconceptions which consider it as impure. The book also acts as a guide to ayurvedic and yogic practices to lessen the physical problems of women associated with menstruation. The topic has become a taboo in today's Indian society mainly because we, Hindus, have lost the practice of compulsory study of our religion and its associated traditions and are more interested in just what the so-called 'experts' have to say about our own traditions. We believe them and are not bothered to check the veracity of their expertise. And that's where our downfall lies. To save our culture, the only way ahead is to study books like this and understand for ourselves what our traditions mean in their actual context.