In Jain Dharma, what Tirthankars have indirectly taught about menstruation comes under two points:

1. True purity is of the soul, not the body.

- All Tirthankars teach that jiva (soul) is always shuddha (pure). - Menstruation is a natural bodily process, just like sweat, urine, stool, saliva, etc. - So, no Tirthankar has called a woman “paapi” or spiritually low because of periods. - Spiritual progress, punya–paap, moksh–marg depend on bhav (inner state), not on monthly cycles.

1. Ritual rules (ashaucha) for the body and temple purity.

In śrāvakācār (conduct books for laypeople) and later tradition, based on the general teachings of Tirthankars about shauch–ashauch and ahimsa, some practical maryādā (rules) developed:

- Any bodily discharge (blood, semen, urine, stool, heavy mucus, etc.) is counted as ashuddhi / asauch for certain ritual acts – not for spiritual worth. - Menstrual blood also contains countless nigod jivas (micro-organisms); to maintain maximum cleanliness and minimum himsa around the idol and puja-dravya, some actions are avoided for a few days.

So, traditionally in many Jain communities, during menstruation a woman is asked to: - Not do abhishek / snatra-puja of the idol. - Not enter the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) or touch the murti and scriptures. - Avoid certain dravya-puja and direct handling of pavitra, puja items, etc.

But she can: - Do bhav-puja (mental/devotional worship). - Recite Navkar Mantra, do samayik, pratikraman, svadhyaya (mostly at home or outside sanctum). - Listen to pravachan, do jap, dhyan, and practise day-to-day ahimsa, daya, kshama.

Digambar and Shvetambar – brief difference

• Digambar tradition

- Generally stricter on temple and idol-touch rules during rajasvala (periods). - More emphasis on not entering garbhagriha or touching murtis/puja-dravya till the flow is over and shuddhi-snān is done.

• Shvetambar tradition

- Often allows darshan from outside the inner sanctum. - Many modern Shvetambar sanghs are more relaxed, seeing this mainly as a cleanliness/custom issue; practice varies by city, sangh, and family.

Both agree on the main point:

• The soul is not impure, only ritual fitness for certain acts is considered temporarily reduced.

What Tirthankars did not say

• No Tirthankar has said:

- “A menstruating woman is spiritually inferior.” - “Menstruation is a sin.” - “She cannot do any sadhana or remember God.”

These harsh ideas are social/cultural extensions, not direct teachings of Tirthankars.

Simple essence

• Menstrual cycle = natural body function, not a sin.
• Soul remains ever-pure.
• Some time‑bound ritual restrictions exist in many traditions to keep temple and idol‑worship at the highest level of physical shuddhi and to give women some rest.
• Inner dharma – ahimsa, humility, right faith, right conduct, right meditation – is fully open even during periods.

You can read more explanations in simple language here: “Why menstruation is considered impure by Jainism” “What is followed in periods in Jainism”