How Strī Dharma can be your guide to spiritual sādhanā

The Strī Dharma Paddhatiḥ is the text that reconnects women to the ancient, time-tested, dependable sādhanā paddhatiḥ that is customized for a woman’s body and mind.

For ease of reading, the sections in this book have been divided into three parts according to the original manuscript. Part I comprises the daily observances of women called Āhnika Dharma, which is the most voluminous part of this book. Part II includes rules that are common to all women called Sādhāraṇa Dharma. Part III consists of stories of women from the Purāṇa-s and Itihāsa-s who are role models for Strī Dharma.

Those who wish to experience this book as a spiritual sādhanā will benefit by remaining aware of the below process as they read the verses in the book.

1.      Cleansing the outer environment - Every spiritual sādhanā requires an outer environment conducive to a sādhak. For a woman, her home where she spends most of her time is a crucial part of that environment. Therefore, Āhnika Dharma explains the proper way of cleaning the house, performing dehalī (threshold) pūjā, smearing cow dung, drawing the svastika and raṅgavalli, etc., which are intended to sanctify the entrance to the home and create an auspicious environment inside the home where the mind and body will feel at ease. When done correctly, with awareness and understanding of the science behind these simple steps, they will transform the home environment in perceptible positive ways and lay the foundation for the next steps.

2.      Cleansing the body - The next step of spiritual sādhanā is to cleanse and strengthen the physical body. Most of the chapters in Āhnika Dharma in Part I of this book are dedicated to this process, starting with the correct way of waking up in the morning, the subtle ways of cleansing and protecting the body through the rules of śaucācāra (purifying rites), ācamanam (sipping water from the palm), snāna (bathing), vastra dhārana (clothing), śṛṅgāram (adorning the body), pariveṣaṇa (serving up meals) and śayana (sleeping). There are also the rules for saṃyogācara (sexual intercourse), which ensures that the husband and wife’s prāṇa is not depleted in the process and both remain protected in subtle ways. In several chapters, the relevant rules for men have also been explained in addition to the rules for women.

3.      Cleansing the mind - The third step is the process of cleansing the mind, which means burning the vāsana-s (habitual patterns) and saṃskāra-s (mental impressions) that we are born with. This is done in two ways. One, through the rituals such as goseva (serving cows), agnikriyā (fire rituals), arghyam (offerings to the Sun), vaiśvadeva, atithi pūjā and bali (offering food to devatā-s, humans and other beings), which is also covered in Part 1. Two, through the practice of restraining the tendencies of the mind, explained through the lives of great women such as Sītā, Lopāmudra, Draupadī, Anasūya, Oghavatī, Sāvitrī and others, which is given in Parts II and III. As we follow these practices, unknowingly, we will reach a stage where the mind will be calm, and we will be able to control the passions and desires of the mind. This transition from being controlled by the mind to controlling the mind is a giant leap for any spiritual sādhak. When the vāsana-s and saṃskāra-s are fully cleansed, the end goal of mokṣa will become possible in this very birth.

4.      The yajña of birthing - A female body is made in the likeness of Devī, giving it the possibility to create life. The mahāyajña that a woman performs through her body is to allow ātma-s to be born through her. In this text, women are taught the ways of preventive care during pregnancy so that there will be fewer chances of miscarriages and garbha doṣa (problems of the uterus/womb). The preventive rules of Rajaswalā Dharma (menstruation) and Garbhiṇi Dharma (pregnancy) in Part II are intended for this purpose and should be absorbed in all seriousness by women of reproductive age.

5.      Transcending the physical body - Finally, as with all spiritual processes, this text too explains the correct way to leave the body so that the ātma can progress to the next level of the spiritual journey, whether it is by enjoying the merits of good deeds in svarga (heaven) or by attaining mokṣa. The greatly misunderstood practice of Sahagamana (sati) is clarified and explained in this context. The practices of Vidhavā Dharma (for widows) are laid out with explanations of how it enables the spiritual journey of the woman when done correctly.

When performed with the right attitude of seva (karma yoga) and devotion (bhakti yoga), the Ṛṣi-s show us how simple day-to-day activities transform into sacred rituals which enable women to make the inward journey from Strī to Śrī and awaken the Śakti within.

Read the full chapter from Part 1, Chapter: Introduction