(or what I learned from devoted wives)
Even though traditionalist devotees and promoters of varnasrama are the greatest defenders for the rights of domestic women, experience suggests a lady should try to avoid taking part in such issues. Mostly because her foremost duty is to be peaceful around her beloved husband, so that both may execute their duties undisturbed.
But more importantly is so not become sidetracted from the real goal of life. From the perspective of eternal time, Srila Prabhupada says "To preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to convince Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that's all, no other business. We don't take part in politics, sociology, and mental speculation, 'science,' or so on, so on, all nonsense. We reject, all kicked out. That is the perfection. It is simply waste of time. These are all superficial. Just like waves in the sea. Where is the meaning? The waves are going on"( Morning Walk -- May 8, 1975, Perth)
Krishna consciousness reveals that this material world is and always will be full of disturbances created by the material desires of both women and men, and ISKCON from a superficial viewpoint is no exception. So, even if one problem were to be resolved, then surely another will be there, because material miseries are relentless. Rather it is imperative to grab the opportunity given in this human form of life for getting free from this whole material entanglement.
After all, Bhagavad gita chapter three is all about the importance of prescribed duties for the satisfaction of Vishnu. Why do we have to argue for them? Rest assured, everything will go on as it should according to the sweet will of the Lord. There will always be, most gratefully, qualified persons empowered to or even needed to take charge and try to fix things. That is their nature that they wish to dovetail for purification. Also because the law of Mother Nature is that things will go one way (all for a reason, by Lord's will), but then go back the other way. She's all about balance.
The general public, for example, are already tiring of so many fatherless children, lack of extended family support, weakened, untrained men and unchaste, stupid women. So why should we waste our time? Why should our happiness depend on what others are doing? Or even what an institution is doing? Instead we can become fully absorbed and satisfied in the service, instructions and pastimes of Lord Krishna and His dear devotees right now. Just try to do that and everything else will be put into proper perspective. Rest assured. Krishna has a plan. He is in control.
Even though traditionalist devotees and promoters of varnasrama are the greatest defenders for the rights of domestic women, experience suggests a lady should try to avoid taking part in such issues. Mostly because her foremost duty is to be peaceful around her beloved husband, so that both may execute their duties undisturbed.
But more importantly is so not become sidetracted from the real goal of life. From the perspective of eternal time, Srila Prabhupada says "To preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to convince Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that's all, no other business. We don't take part in politics, sociology, and mental speculation, 'science,' or so on, so on, all nonsense. We reject, all kicked out. That is the perfection. It is simply waste of time. These are all superficial. Just like waves in the sea. Where is the meaning? The waves are going on"( Morning Walk -- May 8, 1975, Perth)
Krishna consciousness reveals that this material world is and always will be full of disturbances created by the material desires of both women and men, and ISKCON from a superficial viewpoint is no exception. So, even if one problem were to be resolved, then surely another will be there, because material miseries are relentless. Rather it is imperative to grab the opportunity given in this human form of life for getting free from this whole material entanglement.
After all, Bhagavad gita chapter three is all about the importance of prescribed duties for the satisfaction of Vishnu. Why do we have to argue for them? Rest assured, everything will go on as it should according to the sweet will of the Lord. There will always be, most gratefully, qualified persons empowered to or even needed to take charge and try to fix things. That is their nature that they wish to dovetail for purification. Also because the law of Mother Nature is that things will go one way (all for a reason, by Lord's will), but then go back the other way. She's all about balance.
The general public, for example, are already tiring of so many fatherless children, lack of extended family support, weakened, untrained men and unchaste, stupid women. So why should we waste our time? Why should our happiness depend on what others are doing? Or even what an institution is doing? Instead we can become fully absorbed and satisfied in the service, instructions and pastimes of Lord Krishna and His dear devotees right now. Just try to do that and everything else will be put into proper perspective. Rest assured. Krishna has a plan. He is in control.