Answer

If you get periods on Samvatsari day, you should observe the day with inner devotion, purity of thoughts, forgiveness, and repentance, while following the maryada of your family, sangh, and tradition regarding temple visit, puja, or certain rituals.

Getting periods is a natural bodily process. It does not stop you from doing true Pratikraman, Michhami Dukkadam, prayer, self-reflection, or asking forgiveness from the heart.

Explanation

On Samvatsari, the most important practice is:

• Repenting for mistakes
• Asking forgiveness from all living beings
• Forgiving others
• Reducing anger, ego, deceit, and greed
• Strengthening ahimsa and spiritual awareness

If your tradition advises not doing temple rituals or touching sacred items during menstruation, you can still:

• Do mental Pratikraman
• Listen to Samvatsari Pratikraman
• Recite Navkar Mantra
• Say Michhami Dukkadam
• Read or reflect on Jain teachings
• Maintain fasting or dietary discipline if your health allows

If fasting is difficult due to pain, weakness, or health concerns, do not force the body beyond capacity. In Jain Dharma, intention, awareness, and restraint are very important.

Spiritual Understanding

Samvatsari is mainly a day of inner purification. Physical conditions may affect outer rituals, but they do not prevent inner repentance and forgiveness.

The heart of Samvatsari is:

“May all living beings forgive me. I forgive all living beings. I have friendship with all and enmity with none.”

Takeaway

You have not “missed” Samvatsari because of periods. Observe it with devotion in the way possible for you, respect your tradition’s maryada, and keep the spirit of forgiveness and self-purification strong.

Michhami Dukkadam.