For those who are opposed to separation of men and women

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TRANSLATION

Out of a loving desire to see the Lord, the royal ladies of the Kurus got up

on top of the palace, and smiling with affection and shyness, they showered

flowers upon the Lord.

 

PURPORT

 

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 Mah€bh€rata, 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

Mah€bh€rata period proves definitely that the ladies of the palace observed

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

in the open air where Lord KŠa 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 KŠa 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.

 

S.B. 1.10.16