I realize how controversial this subject can get, however, since comments to my column are not really allowed, you are welcome to have an open conversation with me on twitter.
During a recent chat, over the weekend, with this pregnant lady, whom I usually meet but never really speak to, we touched on the topic of her really greasy hair, which she is now losing.
Well, if you are from a conservative Hindu family I’m sure you must have heard of the fact that Hindu women, when pregnant, are not allowed to wash their hair for the first 7 months of their pregnancy (icky, but true).
I really got interested in the subject, as I’m to marry soon and a baby will follow sooner a later, so I asked a few elders around. One of the explanations I received is mentioned below:
“The birth of a child is also considered to be the re-birth of our ancestors. By washing her hair, the lady is also washing away any soul who wishes to enter the baby.”
I wasn’t particularly satisfied with this reply, so being the inquisitive person that I am, I looked it up, not only in google, but also in our Bhagavad Gita (Hindu Bible, commonly known to westerners as ‘The Song of God’).
Interestingly, it’s not mentioned anywhere in the Gita that a woman cannot wash her hair during pregnancy, nor is it mentioned anywhere about the souls she may be washing away.
Now, I do welcome anyone to point out the exact verse of the Gita should they manage to find it, as I’m genuinely interested in increasing my knowledge about the Gita.
As I continued to dig deeper I discovered the reason how this rule may have come into being:
In the olden days there were no showers as such. People would collect water in buckets and then shower. Now, considering the fact that the women in those days had really long hair, it was too risky to stay in the shower for so long. There was always the fear that she may slip-up and hurt herself & her baby. Also, they would have to sit on the floor and bathe, which is not the best posture for a pregnant lady to sit in. Therefore, in order to ensure there were no silly accidents, the old women made in into a rule, and followers today continue to believe the same without questioning.
Now, the above does make a little bit of sense to me, as long as people have grown out of old times. If women are scared even today to wash their hair, I would suggest going to a salon, where you can sleep comfortably, and paying for a hair-wash. I guess that would be the safest bet.
Also, I guess we have to be careful about hygiene issues during pregnancy, which includes having clean hair. And women complaining about losing hair during pregnancy, I guess the above explains that as well (at least to some certain extend). And personally, I would prefer to have clean hair to ensure I don’t end-up with either dandruff and/or lice in my hair!
Anyway, I do not mean to demean Hindu beliefs, but just providing an alternative explanation to the belief.
Would like to repeat myself, I welcome any corrections, I’m there on twitter, please feel free to discuss this further should you have any objections to this article.
PS: please do not fight with me over this; I have the right to express my opinion as much as you do. I only welcome discussions!