Mataji

[Guest guest]

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

I'm happy when calling women (other than my wife) with the title "Mataji" or

"Mother." It defines my relationship with them (I am their son), and it

reminds me to give proper respect. For me, the term "mother" was never a

pejorative term for a second-class member of ISKCON.

 

Of course, I must agree with Srila prabhu: when a 5-year-old girl from my

wife's kindergarten class is standing in front of me, I'm thinking she's a

little girl (well, a spirit soul in a little girl's body), not my mother. I

hope that doesn't offend anyone.

 

Maybe this brings us around to the main point. We are aspiring to see everyone

as pure spirit soul, part and parcel of Krishna. In the process, we require a

civility of social exchange that will protect us from our long-held tendency

to try to enjoy matter. When I say "Mataji" or "Mother," I am reminding myself

of two things: 1) the exalted status of a Vaishnavi, and 2) my avowed

determination to refrain from using my senses to enjoy a material relationship

with this person.

 

I hope that the offenses that have been made by men toward women in ISKCON do

not result in the erosion of what, for me, has been a very appropriate

customary address - "Mataji, Mother" - that helps protect me from maya.

 

Your servant

 

Pancha Tattva dasa

 

 

 

 

 

On 12 Jan 1999, Srila Dasa wrote:

 

 

 

> I respectfully submit that this proposal (another ISKCONism) is absurd:

> categorically, CALLING every woman mother. The idea is as ridiculous as it

> sounds. It was never done to this extreme in India, but like the rtvik

> program, "Prabhupada can do what was never done before," and concoct

something

> new? I don't accept such a novel understanding of "what Prabhupada said..."

 

>

> Unless there is solid precendent in Gaudiya Vaisnava culture, it is a new

> Western flavor -- imitation.

>

> On a more personal note, I don't appreciate being called "son" by those who

> have no superior/maternal-like relationship with me. It is false affection

> when none exists or when it is inappropriate and unrealistic. It is not only

> superficial, it is perverted. We are going to the opposite extreme with this

> Mataji cult that Gandhi went with his sister program. I reject it and

anyone

> who attempts to force me to conform to their personal (mistaken conception)

of

 

> morality.

 

> Sincerely,

>

> Srila dasa

>