Mothers

[Guest guest]

> > "One's teacher, father, elder brother, the king, one's maternal uncle,

> > father-in-law, chariot driver (?), and maternal and paternal grandfathers,

> > and also those who are higher varNas than oneself and one's elders are all

> > consider by scripture to be gurus. Among all these gurus, moreover, the

> > first five are especially worshipable, and among these the first three.

> > Among them, one's mother is the most worshipable." (KUrma Pur€Na)

> >

> > This is quoted in Hari-bhakti-vil€sa (San€tana Gosv€mI's TIk€ to 4.361)

> >

> > May our mothers be honoured!

>

> Wonderful quote, thank you.

>

> I wonder then: does this mean all the women in ISKCON?

 

I don't know the context here, but it appears to be referring to one's own

mother (atma-mata). Still, if one truly sees all women, including those in

ISKCON, as one's mother then it applies to all.

 

> Because there seems

> to be a huge discrepancy between all these nice quotes, and the way women

> are often treated in ISKCON

 

True, we haven't done a very good job of it.

 

>--especially by some who post the quotes

 

Well, that may be, but please ensure that you too don't fall into Aldous

Huxley's description.

 

> I know of course that the men always

> jump in and say "but that's the woman's fault, they don't act properly,

> etc..." but really, that's hardly a truthful argument, is it?

 

I've had rough exchanges along the way as well, but I try to stay positive and

deal with devotees on an individual basis. Otherwise, it's like trying to

ascertain which came first---the chicken or the egg. In any case, mleccha

"culture" is not favorable for Vaisnavism, either for men or ladies. Both

sides need to be more respectful. Ultimately, it seems that the male devotees

are responsible since they are the leaders. In this regard, one might read

Tolstoy's short story, "An Opportunity Lost". I can post it to those who write

to me personally. In short, we will all hopefully come to a point where we

just don't want to fight anymore. Prabhu or Mataji---what is the point? If I

address you (as an example only) as "Prabhu" but treat you like dirt, then

what is the benefit? (btw, that is sometimes done within the men's circles)

If I address you as "Mother" or "Mataji" but say it with respect, love and

really mean it, then isn't that better? So it seems that the bhavana is more

important than the terminolgy. The term is suppose to help to invoke the

feeling.

 

> According to

> this article, the men of ISKCON should be literally worshipping all the

> women. Now THAT I'd like to see....

 

Love and respect conquers all. If they tried to do so, the ladies would then

not accept it, due to FEELING the respect. That's enough for them. It's not a

matter of one-upmanship. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Hoping this meets you well,

 

Vaisnava dasanudasa,

Purnacandra Das