Women: Masters or Mothers? presents traditionalist arguments for the direction of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, proposing that we should take up Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mandate to establish varṇāśrama-dharma rather than capitulate to the norms and ideologies of secular culture. Particularly discussed are gender roles, parental responsibilities, feminist follies, and some of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s more controversial teachings, such as those concerning early marriage, divorce, and polygamy.
Also available in Hindi,Spanish
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Working on Bhakti Vikāsa Swami’s book Women: Masters or Mothers? has been inspirational in helping to deepen my understanding of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s example and instructions and has shown that we must carefully avoid the onslaught of the degraded mentality of Kali-yuga.
– Madana-mohana-mohinī Devī Dāsī
Name | Mothers & Masters |
Publisher | Bhakti Vikas Trust |
Publication Year | 2015 |
Binding | Paperback |
Pages | 320 |
Weight | 375 gms |
ISBN | 9789382109297 |
Table Of Contents | Preface to the Second Edition Introduction
Part One
The Direction of the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement: Merge with Modern Society, or Present the Varṇāśrama-dharma Alternative?
Devotees’ Concern with and Approach to Social Issues Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Is Largely Incompatible with Modern Culture Scientism, Liberal Humanism, and Self ishness Hedonistic Civilizations Are Doomed Traditional Societies and the Dharmic Culture of India Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Outlook Was Not Mundane Śrīla Prabhupāda Wanted to Introduce Divine Varṇāśrama-dharma “Varṇāśrama-dharma Is External” Devotees Need Varṇāśrama-dharma Varṇāśrama-dharma (the Perfect Institution) Must Be Based On Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Varṇāśrama-dharma Inculcates Selflessness A Revolution of Consciousness Varṇāśrama-dharma for Overcoming Sexual Desire Śrīla Prabhupāda Slowly and Carefully Introduced Vedic Culture Shared Cultures of Traditional Societies “Preach Now, Varṇāśrama-dharma Now” Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Vision for Kṛṣṇa Conscious Farms Rural Living Af fords More Time for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Accepting Kṛṣṇa’s Social System An Experimental Revolution ISKCON’s Disconnect with Varṇāśrama Traditional Culture Is Misunderstood Slaughterhouse-education and Child Labor Indian Culture and ISKCON Preaching of Traditionalism in the West An Overview of Religious and Political Reform Ṛtvik Folly The Basic Mistake of All Reformers Understanding the Issues – Siddhānta ISKCON Lite ISKCON Has the Solution
Part Two
Women: Masters or Mothers?
Section One Why Śrīla Prabhupāda Opposed Feminism Demons Promote a Puf fed-up Concept of Womanly Life Respect for Women in Indian Culture Feminism in ISKCON Nasty Ef fects of Feminism Within ISKCON Misunderstanding Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Adjustments Tweaking History by Blaming the Men A Case Study: Yamunā Devī Dāsī The Transformation of Women’s Roles Lust, Greed, and Exploitation Sigmund Freud and His Followers Sex, Dissatisfaction, and Family Decline Men and Women Are Dif ferent Feminist Folly Demonic “Broad-mindedness” Why Women Need Protection Independent Women Are Unprotected, Exploited, and Unhappy The Vital Role of Gṛhasthas Women Should Be Married (Gṛhasthas, Not Sannyasis, Should Protect Them) Women in Bengal Illicit Sex in the Name of Religion F ire and Butter Even Paramahaṁsas Are Cautious About Female Association Devotees Must Reject Feminism
Section Two Fulf illing Women’s Potential – As Mothers Children Are the Victims Frustration Due to Unrealistic Expectations Early and Late Marriage Arranged Marriage “Love Marriage” The Real Formula for Marital Success Homemakers and Working Wives The Scourge of Divorce Discouraging Divorce Among Devotees Divorce Can Be Averted Family Planning and Big Families Joint Families Polygamy Education for Girls: Chastity and Cooking Victory for a Woman Hopeless Women Become Feminists – Men Should Become First-class Some Misconceptions of Men Duties of Married Men
Section Three Women As Leaders Women As Gurus Women Giving Classes and Leading Kīrtanas Dancing Menstruation Calling Women “Prabhu” Traditional Culture Is Still Appreciated The Way Forward
Part Three
Gurudevis and Grandmothers Feminist Rhetoric on Dandavats “Sannyasinis” On the Subject of Female Diksha Gurus Krsna Conscious Motherhood Time for a Revolution Playing the Hindu Card
Suggested Further Reading Acknowledgements About the Author
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