History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.601

v6.c81.601

Láter medieval digests like the Vratārka (folio 90), Vratarāja (pp. 200-206) add details and a story from Bhaviṣyottara narrated to Yudhiṣṭhira by Kṛṣṇa. The sin of Brahmahatyā (brāhmaṇa-murder), of which Indra became guilty by killing Vṛtra, son of Tvaṣṭr, was distributed in four places viz in Agni (the first flames mixed with smoke), rivers (turbid in the rains), mountains (on which trees exuding sticky gum grow) and among women (in their monthly illness). Therefore this vrata should be performed particularly by women for getting rid of the sin of contact during their monthly illness