I read the following excerpt with interest: "Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's dealings with his 'diksa guru' were always exemplary, even though Vipin Bihari Goswami was not very advanced, being a 'kanistha adhikari guru', whereas the Thakura was an 'uttama adhikari', 'paramahamsa' of the highest order. Still Bhaktivinoda always played the humble disciple."
I thought that what Srila Bhaktivinoda taught by his personal example toward his spiritual master could very well apply to the relationship between husband and wife. Currently, after decades of feminism, many husbands do not understand their role as spiritual leader in the family unit and therefore not up to the standards expected of them, but there is plenty of reason that the wife should remain in her position to humbly serve and respect the husband Krishna has given her.
For one thing, even if he is fallen spiritually, if he is otherwise providing the necessities of life and protection for his wife and children, he is certainly worthy of respect. Worship even. Because if you study the lives of unmarried women you will see more often than not that they are either sickly or mentally disturbed or both. Research reveals how child birth is healthy for women, marrieds live longer and so on.
Besides that, other sources of siksha instruction can be found as simply as opening one of Prabhupada's books and attending Bhagavatam classes given by senior Vaisnavas.
So the story of Bhaktivinoda humorously continued:
"On one such occasion in the presence of young Siddhanta Saraswati, Bhaktivinoda Thakura paid his respectful obeisances to his 'guru'. Vipin Bihari Goswami replied by placing his feet on the Thakura's head. For the young fiery Siddhanta Saraswati this was too much! It was one thing that his father had accepted him as his formal initiating spiritual master, but this was going too far.
"Srila Siddhanta Saraswati was only seven years old at the time, but when Bhaktivinoda Thakura left the room leaving the two of them alone, Siddhanta Saraswati decided to set things straight. 'You are acting like a big, big "guru" and you place your feet on the heads of those who you don't know. If you knew who the Thakura is you would not do it. But you do not know! My father is a great exalted "nitya siddha", eternal associate of Sri Radha and Krishna who has come here to fulfill Their mission. Do you think that you are so advanced that you can place your feet on the head of such a person? I think not. You have proven yourself to be a "kanistha adhikari" (neophyte) by not being able to distinguish between those who are advanced and those who are less advanced, therefore I suggest that you desist from this practice any further.' Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura then re-entered the room and the conversation changed.
"Later that day Vipin Bihari Goswami mentioned to Bhaktivinoda, 'Your son is bold to the point of being rude.' Later Thakura Bhaktivinoda found out about the conversation and used to jokingly glorify his exalted son to his friends, saying how he is fearless, that he even chastised my 'guru', Vipin Bihari Goswami.'"
The point is, Bhaktivinoda Thakura remained in his position. He did not give up his guru. It makes sense that neither should a woman divorce her "less advanced" spouse. I put quotes because experienced women relate how all that changes once their superiority complex dissolves.
There is no impediment or excuse, therefore, such as saying "Oh my husband is not spiritually advanced, therefore I should disregard or divorce him". No, spiritual success rests upon one's own burning desire for Krishna consciousness, not what others are doing. Spiritual life actually depends upon changing our hearts rather than wasting time trying to change our circumstances. On the other hand, if the omniscient Lord Krishna foresees good reason to split a happily married couple apart, no one will be able to keep them together either. Our position, therefore, is to simply remain fixed in our determination for pure devotional service.