Tulasi-devi on Degraded Men and Women

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Tulasi-devi on Degraded Men and Women

(The following is from the story of Tulasi-devi in the Brahma-vaivarta

Purana. Her strong assertions expose the exploitive mentality of men and

women who desire to enjoy each other.)

"Who are you? And why are you talking to me? If a noble man sees a virtuous

woman alone, he doesn't talk to her. So go away. The sastras say that only a

degraded man desires a woman. At first a woman is sweet to a man but later

proves fatal. Through her mouth rains honey, but her heart is like a jar of

poison. She uses sweet words, but her heart is sharp like a razor. To

achieve her own selfish ends, she is submissive to her husband; otherwise

she is unsubmissive. While her face looks cheerful, her heart is dirty. A

wise man never trusts a base woman. She has no friend or enemy, for all she

wants are new lovers. When a woman sees a well dressed man, she inwardly

desires him, but outwardly she appears chaste and modest. Being naturally

passionate, she attracts a man's mind. A woman likes a good lover more than

sweet foods or refreshing drinks, and even more than her own son. But if

that lover becomes impotent or aged, she regards him as an enemy. Quarrels

and anger ensue, then she devours him as a snake eats a rat. She is rashness

personified and a mine of vices.

"A woman is hypocritical, obstinate and unfaithful. Even Lord Brahma and

other gods are deluded by her. She is a hindrance on the path of austerity,

an obstacle to liberation, an impediment to developing faith in Lord Hari, a

refuge of all delusion and a living chain that binds man to this world.

"She is like bucket of stool and is as false as dreams. She appears to be

very beautiful, but she is a bucket of blood, urine and stool. When God

created her, he arranged that she should become the spirit of delusion to

the deluded and poison to those who desire liberation. Thus, on no account

should a woman be desired, and by all means she should be avoided.

"A man who is conquered by a woman is very impure and condemned by people in

general. The forefathers and the demigods regard men who are conquered by

women as low and contemptible. Even their fathers and mothers mentally

despise them. The Vedas say that when a child is born or a relative dies,

the brahmanas are purified in ten days, the ksatriyas in twelve days, the

vaisyas in fifteen days and the sudras and other low classes in twenty-one

days. But a man conquered by a woman always remains impure. Only when the

body is burned to ashes does he becomes purified. Neither the ancestors, nor

the demigods accept from him cakes, flowers or any other offerings.

"Men whose hearts are totally conquered by women acquire no fruits from

their knowledge, austerities, japa, fire sacrifices, worship, learning or

fame."

 

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