Extract from a speech given to a group of NGOs in lSKCON New Delhi.
This was the topic I had to speak on at a seminar held by one of the top NGO's. representing ISKCON, I was expected to give a spiritual touch to the so called weak position of women. I, on the other hand, totally dsiagreed with this statement!
I started my speech facing a crowd that unabashedly glorified top women political leaders sport stars, bureaucrats, historical figures, and the modern representatives of womanhood the winners of beauty pageants. For gotten was our vedic culture in the speeches made by the hounarable ministerr and renounced personalities, who advocated solutions bereft of any knowledge of the spirit soul. I started my speech reminding the crowd of our long forgotten culture.
Among the many civilizations in the world the most venerating regards for woen has been found in the vedic culture. The level of civility along with moral and spiritual standards in a society can be perecived by the respect it gives to its women. Not that it glorifies them for the role of a progreny giver' and provides them all the freedom that men want, so they can be exploited and taken advantage of. But it regards and allows them to live in society with respect, honor, and protection, while providing them an oppurtunity to reach their real potential in life.
The Vedic society, being the ideal society, is based on the 'Principles given directly by the Supreme Power, Sri Krsna. It believes in giving protection to women. To save the degenetating society, safety far women should be the main concern. Father 'Protects the girl child befare marriage, after marriage me becomes the responsibility of the husband and later the son is Iiable to take care of her. This is the real Vedic society.
Vedic society emphasises the role of women in all sheres. The Vedas designate an ideal woman as,
Aditi – as she is not dependant Brhati- far she is large hearted
Candra – far she is happy
Devakama – since she is 'Pious
Ksama – far she is tolerant
Sarasvati– far she is scholarly
Sumangali – for she is auspicious
Visruta – far she is glorious
Yoga – for she is in termingkd with man, she is not separate; she is the ardharangam
Candra – far she is happy
Devakama – since she is 'Pious
Ksama – far she is tolerant
Sarasvati– far she is scholarly
Sumangali – for she is auspicious
Visruta – far she is glorious
Yoga – for she is in termingkd with man, she is not separate; she is the ardharangam
There are many more qualities imbibed in women mentioned in the vedic Scriptures.
She is the care of the society; the pivot around whom the whole family revolves. Families form society, which form the nation and the nations join to form the world. She is the caretaker of the new generation. The coming generation llies completely in her guide to her children. The vedic scriptures inform about Dhruva Maharaja and Prahlada Maharaja, Who followed the words of their mothers and became he most fortunate one to have 'darsana' of the supreme Lord, Sri Krsna, just at the tender age of five and seven respectively.
Many women characters embedded in the scriptures exhibit various qualities found rarely. Like Queen Kunti, the mother of five illustrious sons, the Pandavas. Her spontaneous glorification of the Supreme Lord Sri krsna and her description of the spiritual path are immortalised in the Bhagavata Purana Her prayers, as His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada said, are simple and illuminating outpouring of a great saintly woman devotee. They reveal both transcendental emotions of the heart and the most profound theological penetrations of the intellect. Her words have been chanted, recited, and sung by sages, devotees and philosophers for thousands of years.
She is the epitome of tolerance and devotion. She had the courage to pray for d istress and shortcomings so as to remain in the shelter of the lord always.
Drupadi is yet another strong character imbibed with deep conviction, whose faith never wavered in the Supreme Power even though she went through very difficult times. Her deep faith and strong love made even the Lord of the universe reciprocate. Her compassion and strength made her forgive the killer of her five sons. Only a woman so perfect could do this.
Nevertheless, the Creator of the spiritual and material Worlds, the source of everything, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna who governs all is governed by His consort Srimati Radharani His internal potency. A devotee has to invoke Her compassion, who in tum recommends the devotee to Sri Krsna. He controls all, but She controls Him. He is the Supreme Power, but She is the Most Supreme.
Even the material world of the Supreme lord Sri Krsna is put under the control of His external energy Mahamaya who maintains this Mrtyuloka and proVides sense gratification for all.
Ironically, this concludes that women are already empowered without any scope of empowering them further. She just has to recognize her potential and derive-inspiration from the ideal women of Vedic times. By imbibing those qualities she empowers not only herself but the whole family, the whole Society, the whole nation, and the whole world.
Radhika Krpa Devi Dasi of His Holiness Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja, is the author of 'vaishnava teachings, in sikhism' and a collection of devotional poems.