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Question: Are Women Inherently Inferior to Men?
Question: Are Women Inherently Inferior to Men?
Prabhupada states:
"What is material nature? This is ...explained in the Gita as inferior prakrti, inferior nature...Prakrti is always under control, whether inferior or superior. Prakrti is female, and she is controlled by the Lord just as the activities of a wife are controlled by the husband. Prakrti is always subordinate predominated by the Lord, who is the predominator."
This passage troubles me greatly. Is Prabhupada saying that women are inherently inferior to men? Does the Bhagavad-gita teach this view? I know I am only in the introduction, but I very much want to understand. I want to immerse myself in Krishna consciousness and feel that this very well could be the path I have been searching for years. However, as a woman, it disturbs me to think that this idea could be embedded in the teachings of Krishna and of the founder of ISKCON. Any assistance you could provide would be most appreciated.
Hare Krishna!
Answer: Not If They Are Krishna Conscious
Souls who are embodied in female forms are not inherently inferior to souls who are embodied in male forms. The soul is something different from the bodily covering which is merely a temporary garment worn by the soul. According to our karma we are sometimes embodied in male forms and sometimes embodied in female forms.
Physically the female form is weaker than the male form. And we see practically that impious men take advantage of this to sexually force themselves upon women. Therefore women are meant to be protected by pious men. It is on this physical level that the womanly form is considered inferior in the sense that it is of inferior strength. Again this says nothing about the soul, the actual person who is residing in that body.
The highest form of distinguishing who is superior and who is inferior is on the basis of who is the most advanced in Krishna consciousness. If a woman is more Krishna conscious than a man, she is superior to him. And if she is less Krishna conscious, she is inferior. No one has to remain inferior. Everyone has the equal opportunity to become superior. Those who are superior will take advantage of the opportunity offered to them in the human form of life for spiritual emancipation, and those who are inferior will not take advantage of their highly developed human consciousness preferring instead to imitate the animals by absorbing their lives in sense gratification: eating, sleeping, mating, and defending.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna …
For more discussions visit
http://harekrishnaharekrishna.ning.com/forum/
Prabhupada states:
"What is material nature? This is ...explained in the Gita as inferior prakrti, inferior nature...Prakrti is always under control, whether inferior or superior. Prakrti is female, and she is controlled by the Lord just as the activities of a wife are controlled by the husband. Prakrti is always subordinate predominated by the Lord, who is the predominator."
This passage troubles me greatly. Is Prabhupada saying that women are inherently inferior to men? Does the Bhagavad-gita teach this view? I know I am only in the introduction, but I very much want to understand. I want to immerse myself in Krishna consciousness and feel that this very well could be the path I have been searching for years. However, as a woman, it disturbs me to think that this idea could be embedded in the teachings of Krishna and of the founder of ISKCON. Any assistance you could provide would be most appreciated.
Hare Krishna!
Answer: Not If They Are Krishna Conscious
Souls who are embodied in female forms are not inherently inferior to souls who are embodied in male forms. The soul is something different from the bodily covering which is merely a temporary garment worn by the soul. According to our karma we are sometimes embodied in male forms and sometimes embodied in female forms.
Physically the female form is weaker than the male form. And we see practically that impious men take advantage of this to sexually force themselves upon women. Therefore women are meant to be protected by pious men. It is on this physical level that the womanly form is considered inferior in the sense that it is of inferior strength. Again this says nothing about the soul, the actual person who is residing in that body.
The highest form of distinguishing who is superior and who is inferior is on the basis of who is the most advanced in Krishna consciousness. If a woman is more Krishna conscious than a man, she is superior to him. And if she is less Krishna conscious, she is inferior. No one has to remain inferior. Everyone has the equal opportunity to become superior. Those who are superior will take advantage of the opportunity offered to them in the human form of life for spiritual emancipation, and those who are inferior will not take advantage of their highly developed human consciousness preferring instead to imitate the animals by absorbing their lives in sense gratification: eating, sleeping, mating, and defending.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna …
For more discussions visit
http://harekrishnaharekrishna.ning.com/forum/
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The Bhagavad-gita As It Is
The Bhagavad-gita is universally renowned as the jewel of India's spiritual wisdom. Spoken by Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead to His intimate disciple Arjuna, the Gita's seven hundred concise verses provide a definitive guide to the science of self realization. No other philosophical or religious work reveals, in such a lucid and profound way, the nature of consciousness, the self, the universe and the Supreme.
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is uniquely qualified to present this English translation and commentary on Bhagavad-gita. He is the world's foremost Vedic scholar and teacher, and he is also the current representative of an unbroken chain of fully self-realized spiritual masters begining with Lord Krishna Himself. Thus, unlike other editions of the Gita, this one is presented as it is--without the slightest taint of adulteration or personal motivation. This edition is certain to stimulate and enlighten with its ancient yet thoroughly timely message.
http://www.asitis.com/1/1.html
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