No women in management positions

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees,

Pamho, agtSP and His dear followers!

 

I have not found anything consistent in the 7th canto to substantiate

Syamasundara prabhu's previous statement about women not being GBC, except

verses 25 to 29 of chapter 11. So, we may venture to say that according to

the varna lines described in this 11 chapter she could certainly assist her

qualified manager husband but certainly not become independant as a 'chief

executor'. (See further explanations concerning this term in quotes, in

other texts in this conference.)

 

However, the wonderful book called "Vaisnavi" and compiled by Satyaraja

Prabhu is highly edifying in this regard. On note 34 of page 110 one can

read: "In addition to the undeniable high position afforded to great

Vaisnava queens and other female epic figures (see Nandarani dasi, 'how a

krsna conscious woman achieved liberation: a queen of vedic india found

freedom in dependence,' back to godhead 15, n°10, 1980) the Caitanya

Movement itself provides good examples in Jahnava, the wife of Nityananda

and a guru in her own right, and Gangamata Goswamini, a celibate devotee

from the following generation who inspired many vaisnavas in Orissa (see

Satyaraj,"Great Vaisnava Women," Back to Godhead 24 no10, 1989, 8-12)

 

So, Bhaktarupa Prabhu, if you choose the Bhagavat lines against the

Varnasram lines then you would also have to allow women the possibility to

become diksa-guru:

 

"Viz. bhakti raksak sridhar maharaj's statement in connection with the

disciplic succession accepted by Bhaktivinoda Thakura: 'we have to follow

the spirit; otherwise after Jahnava Devi, the wife of lord Nityananda, up to

Vipina Goswami...so many unknown lady gurus. Through them, the mantra came

to Vipina Goswami, and from him Bhaktivinoda Thakura received the mantra.

We accept Bhaktivinoda Thakura, but should we count all those ladies in our

disciplic succession? What was their realization?" (Sri guru and His grace,

San Jose, CA: Guardian of devotion press, 1983, 23)

 

"further, when A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami was asked if a woman can become a

guru in disciplic succession, he responded: 'yes. Jahnava Devi was.

Nityananda's wife. She became. If she's able to go to the highest perfection

of life, why it is not possible, to become guru?' in conversation with Srila

Prabhupada (Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1990, vol 22, Toronto,

6.18.76, pp19-20."

 

I have personally met some women in ISKCON that are more advanced and more

qualified than some ISKCON gurus. So, should they also be allowed to give

initiation? What about to women alone?

 

Looking forward to hearing from you all, I thank you in advance for your

thoughtful comments.

 

Your servant,

Krsna-kirtan dasi.

[Guest guest]

Just as with any position the performer must be qualified and that is

all. We are not these bodies. It is better to do ones own duty then

try to perform anthers.

 

Bijaya Kumara das

 

"Krsna Kirtana (dd) ACBSP (F)" wrote:

>

> Dear devotees,

> Pamho, agtSP and His dear followers!

>

> I have not found anything consistent in the 7th canto to substantiate

> Syamasundara prabhu's previous statement about women not being GBC, except

> verses 25 to 29 of chapter 11. So, we may venture to say that according to

> the varna lines described in this 11 chapter she could certainly assist her

> qualified manager husband but certainly not become independant as a 'chief

> executor'. (See further explanations concerning this term in quotes, in

> other texts in this conference.)

>

> However, the wonderful book called "Vaisnavi" and compiled by Satyaraja

> Prabhu is highly edifying in this regard. On note 34 of page 110 one can

> read: "In addition to the undeniable high position afforded to great

> Vaisnava queens and other female epic figures (see Nandarani dasi, 'how a

> krsna conscious woman achieved liberation: a queen of vedic india found

> freedom in dependence,' back to godhead 15, n°10, 1980) the Caitanya

> Movement itself provides good examples in Jahnava, the wife of Nityananda

> and a guru in her own right, and Gangamata Goswamini, a celibate devotee

> from the following generation who inspired many vaisnavas in Orissa (see

> Satyaraj,"Great Vaisnava Women," Back to Godhead 24 no10, 1989, 8-12)

>

> So, Bhaktarupa Prabhu, if you choose the Bhagavat lines against the

> Varnasram lines then you would also have to allow women the possibility to

> become diksa-guru:

>

> "Viz. bhakti raksak sridhar maharaj's statement in connection with the

> disciplic succession accepted by Bhaktivinoda Thakura: 'we have to follow

> the spirit; otherwise after Jahnava Devi, the wife of lord Nityananda, up to

> Vipina Goswami...so many unknown lady gurus. Through them, the mantra came

> to Vipina Goswami, and from him Bhaktivinoda Thakura received the mantra.

> We accept Bhaktivinoda Thakura, but should we count all those ladies in our

> disciplic succession? What was their realization?" (Sri guru and His grace,

> San Jose, CA: Guardian of devotion press, 1983, 23)

>

> "further, when A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami was asked if a woman can become a

> guru in disciplic succession, he responded: 'yes. Jahnava Devi was.

> Nityananda's wife. She became. If she's able to go to the highest perfection

> of life, why it is not possible, to become guru?' in conversation with Srila

> Prabhupada (Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1990, vol 22, Toronto,

> 6.18.76, pp19-20."

>

> I have personally met some women in ISKCON that are more advanced and more

> qualified than some ISKCON gurus. So, should they also be allowed to give

> initiation? What about to women alone?

>

> Looking forward to hearing from you all, I thank you in advance for your

> thoughtful comments.

>

> Your servant,

> Krsna-kirtan dasi.