Devaki dd: In these modern days of Kali Yuga, we are conditioned by the common
\npropaganda of men and women being equal – a very crucial misunderstanding
\nwhich leads to so many further misunderstandings and confusions. This little
\narticle is meant to shed some light onto the topic and take us to deeper
\nlevels of understanding.
\nIn Bhagavad Gita Krsna explains that equality is there on the level of the
\nsoul – not only between man and woman, but between all living entities:
\npanditah sama-darsinah (BG 5.18). All living entities are equal on the level
\nof the soul, but on the level of the body there is no equality. As the soul
\naccepts a body, it acts like a certain vehicle. As a little analogy we can
\ncompare the male vehicle to a tractor: male nature is practical and down to
\nearth, he wants to get things done – to achieve things, to move things
\nforward. He wants to take charge and be in the front – the nature and
\nqualities of a tractor. Somebody in this world has to play this role, so
\nKrishna has given it to those souls in a men’s body. In Krsna’s system the
\npurifying duties for men are to protect, provide and take charge. And
\nKrishna has given men a perfect body with the right qualities and natures –
\ngross and subtle, so they can perfectly perform these roles.
\nWe can compare the female vehicle to a sports-car – feminine energy is very
\npowerful: so much more powerful than the male energy. And sports-cars are
\nmeant to be a little flashy and fancy – that’s the female vehicle. (And
\ndon’t we all know: most men do like to have a sports car!) The purifying
\nduty of a woman is to bare children, to raise them and be a good care giver,
\nand to be the auspicious source of energy and inspiration to men. Prabhupada
\nvery nicely describes this again and again in different purports in the
\nBhagavatam (SB 4.26.15., 4.21.4. and others).
\nSometimes we find that devotees are a little confused and object: “But isn’t
\nthis the bodily platform?” The answer is: “No, it is not.” To distinguish
\nbetween the two vehicles is not the bodily platform – it is a sign of
\nintelligence. For some reason we ended up in a certain vehicle, and to
\nunderstand what kind of vehicle I am driving in this life time, and what is
\nit’s nature, qualities and purpose is indeed a sign of good intelligence.
\nBodily platform would be if we identify with the vehicle, understanding it
\nto be the very self.
\nBecause of lack of knowledge of the equality on the level of the soul, we
\napply it on the level of the body, which leads to very drastic consequences.
\nIt is the root cause of so many further misunderstanding, bringing about
\nsocial chaos. Spiritual culture is Krsna’s culture – Krishna’s perfect
\nsystem in order to create stability and harmony in this world. All our
\nsocial problems which we are facing in these modern days – inside ISKCON and
\noutside ISKCON – are global reactions for not following Krishna’s system.
\nOur disease is that we think our modern system is so much better than
\nKrsna’s system. We take Krsna’s system to be old-fashioned and out-dated –
\nwho would ever accept Krsna consciousness if we present such out-dated
\nsystem?! However, as Prabhupada always says: “To every material problem
\nthere is a spiritual solution!” All our social problems like divorce, single
\nmothers, neglected children, careless and irresponsible men – even child
\nabuse and violence towards women – are global reactions for not following
\nKrishna’s system. In Krishna’s system they don’t have any place. If we want
\nto show the world how human life is meant to be lived, it will be helpful to
\nget deeper insights into His divine system.
\nAs a result of this misunderstanding of equality of men and women, we women
\nare competing with men and don’t agree to take the subordinate position any
\nlonger. However, a woman can only be the energy and inspiration to men if
\nshe takes a subordinate position. Prabhupada explains in SB.5.1.29. that men
\ndo need this feminine energy in order to be inspired and motivated. And when
\nwomen compete, as a result men become weak and insecure, losing their
\nmasculine qualities and becoming more feminine. In Kali Yuga men become more
\nirresponsible and careless, whereas women become more masculine and
\ndominant. Furthermore a man can only protect a woman if she takes the
\nsubordinate position. As soon as she wants to be equal, he cannot execute
\nhis heroic task of giving protection to her.
\nAll these unwanted results lead to so many further problems within society.
\nIt is like in mathematics: when we mistake one plus one to be five, all
\nfurther mathematic – no matter how highly developed it may be – is wrong,
\nbecause it is based on the wrong concept.
\nThe mid sixties being the heights of women’s liberation and equality, Srila
\nPrabhupada was very often interviewed on this topic, and his usual answer
\nwas: “Woman becomes pregnant, man cannot; how can they be equal? Can the men
\nbe pregnant, too? Is it possible?” And further he explained: As soon as man
\nand woman unite, there will be a child. She will become pregnant, and thus
\nshe will be dependent on him for support. That is Krishna’s system. So how
\ncan there be equality? (see interview on 7.7.75)
\nOn June 18, 1974 Srila Prabhupada says in a lecture on BG.2.13. in Germany:
\n“So this statement will not be very palatable to the Western girls. They
\nwant independence. In Chicago, when I was there, they talked about
\nindependence of the woman. They asked me question. So I replied, “No, woman
\ncannot be given independence.” So there was a great agitation against me. In
\nmany papers I was very much criticized. But actually it is the fact, because
\nthey are innocent, not so intelligent and… These are all practical. We may
\navoid discussing, but Bhagavata is very open for discussing all subject
\nmatter. That is fact. We should not hide anything artificially. We must
\ndiscuss the fact. Not only here, the mention it is, the Manu-samhita.
\nManu-samhita recommends, “A woman should not be given independence.” For
\ntheir interest they must be protected by father, husband, and sons, because
\nif they are polluted, they become very dangerous.”
\nTo conclude I would like to quote another clear statement which Prabhupada
\nmade on the 27th of May, 1975 in Rome on a morning walk. Yogeshvara is
\nasking: “Here’s a problem. The women today want the same rights as men. How
\ncan they be satisfied?” Prabhupada is answering: “Everything will be
\nsatisfied. Just like our women, Krishna conscious, they are working. They
\ndon’t want equal rights with men. It is due to Krishna consciousness. They
\nare cleansing the temple, they are cooking very nicely. They are satisfied.
\nThey never say that “I have to go to Japan for preaching like Prabhupada.”
\nThey never say. This is artificial. So Krishna consciousness means work in
\nhis constitutional position. The women, men – when they remain in their
\nconstitutional position, there will be no artificiali” – and then
\nunfortunately it becomes indistinct because of loud traffic noise, and we
\ndon’t hear the end of the sentence. Prabhupada very clearly makes his point:
\nboth have to be engaged according to their constitutional position. And if
\nour men and our ladies play their roles, then we will be able to create
\nharmony and stability in our society. Then Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtan
\nMovement will become very powerful. We will be able to show the world how
\ncivilized and cultured human life is meant to be lived: in stability and
\nharmony – the solid foundation to develop our relationship with Krsna.
\nFor further information please visit www.therootsofspiritualculture.net<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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