In Jain tradition, this rule is about ritual purity (shuddhi) around sacred objects—not about the worth or dignity of a woman.

• What the rule means

- Pratikraman pustak, Agams, murtis, asan, and puja-vedi are treated as specially “shuddha.” During rajaswala (menstruation), many families keep a gentle restraint: do not touch scriptures or perform dev-puja. This preserves heightened purity around sacred items and spaces. - It is a vrata-ācār (discipline) for sanctity, not a statement that the person is impure or less spiritual.

• Why it is kept in Jain dharma terms

1) Shuddhi-niyams: Rituals that involve scriptures and puja ask for extra external cleanliness and inner focus; so temporary abstention is observed. 2) Apramāda and ahiṃsā: Old traditions connect rajaswala with increased asauch and subtle life-forms; to avoid even minute lapses in sacred handling, people step back for a few days. 3) Dayā and upashama: It also offers rest; the dharma never intends discomfort or blame.

• What one may do instead

- Do mental namokār mantra, pratikraman-bhāva, maitri-bhāvanā, and kāyotsarga without touching texts, malas, or puja items. - Listen to pravachan or do quiet swādhyāy mentally, as allowed by one’s family/ācārya’s guidance.

• Sect and community notes

- Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions both commonly keep some restraint; Digambara practice is often stricter about dev-puja and handling texts during these days. Śvetāmbara communities may differ: some allow listening/mental practice but still avoid touching sacred objects. Always follow your paramparā’s maryādā.

• Spirit of the rule

- The person is always worthy; only the contact with consecrated items is paused for a short, known time. The aim is reverence for scriptures and steadiness in vrata, with compassion and dignity for women intact.

For simple, tradition-aligned explanations on this topic, you can read:

• Why Jain females avoid touching sacred items in periods
• What is followed in periods in Jainism
• Why we avoid mandir/puja during periods