women's shyness

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Shyness is a particular extra-natural beauty of the fair sex, and it

commands respect from the opposite sex. This custom was observed even during

the days of the Mahabharata, i.e., more than five thousand years ago. It is

only the less intelligent persons not well versed in the history of the

world who say that observance of separation of female from male is an

introduction of the Mohammedan period in India. This incident from the

Mahabharata period proves definitely that the ladies of the palace observed

strict parda (restricted association with men), and instead of coming down

in the open air where Lord Krsna and others were assembled, the ladies of

the palace went up on the top of the palace and from there paid their

respects to Lord Krsna by showers of flowers. It is definitely stated here

that the ladies were smiling there on the top of the palace, checked by

shyness. This shyness is a gift of nature to the fair sex, and it enhances

their beauty and prestige, even if they are of a less important family or

even if they are less attractive. We have practical experience of this fact.

A sweeper woman commanded the respect of many respectable gentlemen simply

by manifesting a lady's shyness. Half-naked ladies in the street do not

command any respect, but a shy sweeper's wife commands respect from all.

 

Human civilization, as conceived of by the sages of India, is to help one

free himself from the clutches of illusion. The material beauty of a woman

is an illusion because actually the body is made of earth, water, fire, air,

etc. But because there is the association of the living spark with matter,

it appears to be beautiful. No one is attracted by an earthen doll, even if

it is most perfectly prepared to attract the attention of others. The dead

body has no beauty because no one will accept the dead body of a so-called

beautiful woman. Therefore, the conclusion is that the spirit spark is

beautiful, and because of the soul's beauty one is attracted by the beauty

of the outward body. The Vedic wisdom, therefore, forbids us to be attracted

by false beauty. But because we are now in the darkness of ignorance, the

Vedic civilization allows very restricted mixing of woman and man. They say

that the woman is considered to be the fire, and the man is considered to be

the butter. The butter must melt in association with fire, and therefore

they may be brought together only when it is necessary. And shyness is a

check to the unrestricted mixing. It is nature's gift, and it must be

utilized.

 

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.10.16

 

 

 

The shy sweeper woman alluded to above is further described by Srila

Prabhupada:

 

Bhismadeva also advised that the shyness of woman, lajja, is the control. If

you break that shy, what is called, shyness, then there will be disaster.

That is the control valve naturally given. And woman's shyness is one

beauty, beauty. We have got practical experience. And command also. We have

practical experience in our life. You have seen that my friend came,

Dinanath Mishra. They were our neighbor. So one day we were sitting on the

corridor of the house. One sweeper woman, she wanted to come within, but

very shyful, and with a covering of the head, although with broomstick and

bucket, she was waiting because we were sitting both side. So she was

feeling little shy not to enter the house. So we decided to move so that she

may come. This example is given. She is a sweeper, not very respectable,

maidservant or sweeper, but on account of her shyness we had to welcome,

"Yes, we are moving. You come in." Just see. This is psychology. Therefore

Bhismadeva, at his dying stage, he advised that woman's shyness is the valve

to control. If their shyness is broken, then it will create disaster.

Pumscali. This is the psychology. So things are changing nowadays

everywhere, not only in India, in other countries also. But this is the

psychology. So all these examples are given. Why? Just to control the mind.

In Hindi there is a proverb that money and wife you should always keep in

control. There are so many examples.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.6.4 -- Vrndavana, November 26, 1976