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Being a woman, can I read the whole Sri Guru Charitra, which is known as GuruDatta Parayana, in the coming Datta Jayanti (Festival) ?

In our home, my father used to read it every year by following all the rules. No woman has performed the Parayana yet in our home. But I want to do it.

Can I perform it? If not, what are the reasons?

SadGuru

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    Which book is read on that day? That book must have the info regarding who all are qualified to recite it. EDIT -- Ok the book name is Guru Charitra (found from Google).
    – Rickross
    Sep 25, 2018 at 6:45
  • 'Shrimat Gurucharitra' is the name of book, from Saraswati Book Company, Pune, Maharashtra. It has been written there that Women should not read it. They can only hear from others. Even it has been said in book that no any bachelor lady can hear Ved Mantra. (otherwise they will get allegations of stealing anything)
    – Shree
    Sep 25, 2018 at 6:53
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    Some sites are saying that According to Vasudevanand Saraswati or "Tembe Swami" women are not allowed to read.
    – SwiftPushkar
    Sep 25, 2018 at 7:39
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    @DhanashreeDeshpande - No this is not the reason. Datta Sampradaya people consider Guru-Charitra as veda. Also there are very strict rules and regulations related to its Parayana. Generally women cant follow such strict rules for 7 days. Also there are some portions in the book like Story of Brahmavadini Lopamudra etc. which according to some scholars are not suitable for women. Although i am not from Datta-Sampradaya but know lots of people from my home town pune who regularly conduct parayana.
    – SwiftPushkar
    Sep 25, 2018 at 8:11
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    @DhanashreeDeshpande - there is abridged version of 'shri guru charitra'. I am told that it can be read by women either. You can get it in bookshop. It can be a golden mean.
    – Vineet
    Sep 25, 2018 at 9:13

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I have just now downloaded the book Sri Guru Charitra. At the last section, the rules of properly reciting it are given and which are as follows:

Namdharak- "Kindly tell me the procedure of week-reading and other rules to be followed during the week".

Shri Siddha-"Shri Guru-Charitra can be read any time with pure mind. The credit of reading it in a week is still great. For this, one place and seat should be selected. Keep control on the senses during the week. Before starting the reading bow to God, Brahmin and elders. Worship the volume of "Shri GuruCharitra". One should complete 7 chapters on the first day, read upto 18th chapter on the second day, upto 28th on the third day, upto 34th on the fourth day, upto 37th on the fifth day, upto 43rd on the sixth day and upto 52nd chapters on the seventh day. After reading, worship the volume and take light dinner. Some observe fast for the week; but if this is not possible have food of only one type of corn. On the eighth day, for completion of the week reading, take meals with a Brahmin couple and offer money as Dakshina. If the reading is done with devotion and pure heart, Shri Guru gives Darshan in dream and fulfills one's desires. The trouble of spirits and ghosts vanishes and one gets peace of mind. Namdharak again expressed to Shri Siddha Muni his gratitude for narrating the life of Shri Guru, which has made his life fortunate and enabled him to attain the bliss

So, it does not prohibit the women explicitly neither does it allow explicitly.

And, furthermore, this book, in one section, is having a part of Guru Gita too. And, it says that Guru Gita can be recited by everyone.

Recitation of Guru-Geeta, gives one incentive power, develops one's qualities, destroys evil acts, makes good acts successful, removes fear of Grahas

(planets), destroys evil dreams, gives issues even to sterile women, gives good luck to the married women (keep their husbands alive all their lives) and gives peace of mind. If a widow reads Shri Guru-Geeta without object, she gets salvation. If she reads with desire, she will get a good husband in the next birth and all her miseries, difficulties and curses will perish.

So, I am not sure why reading the book Guru Charitra will be forbidden for women.

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  • in few books it has been mentioned. Within some book, it is not mentioned. I heard from few people (gents and ladies) that any lady should not read it. I don't know consequences. I believe on any worship with true mind and belief. But I asked here to know the exact reasons. Even shopkeeper, from whom I bought this book, told me that women should not read it.
    – Shree
    Sep 25, 2018 at 7:22
  • Ok but the book itself has not mentioned anything like that. So,I am not sure how that tradition evolved @DhanashreeDeshpande
    – Rickross
    Sep 25, 2018 at 7:27
  • Here, I might have shown the book's rule details written on initial pages, But only rules are in 'Marathi' language.
    – Shree
    Sep 25, 2018 at 7:30
  • Ok but those rules were probably added by the publishers. We need to chk whether the book itself has mentioned the prohibition, which apparently does not seem to be the case.. @DhanashreeDeshpande
    – Rickross
    Sep 25, 2018 at 7:32
  • Ok, That need to be check in specific Adhyaya (chapter) i.e. where it has been mentioned.
    – Shree
    Sep 25, 2018 at 7:34
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Yes you can read. I am reading gurucharitra from 3 years it also gave me so much peacefulness and benefits in my life.

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    The only condition is that women should not do parayana during menstruation period
    – Srimannarayana K V
    Jul 22, 2020 at 10:20
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