Page 26 - HIRS - Eng
P. 26
xxiv How I AcHIeved ReAl SucceSS
space to read the scriptures, the peace of mind to contemplate
what they have read, the time to enhance their devotional
practice, and the fulfillment of sharing their realizations with
their family and friends.
At this stage, I would like to emphasize that because our
presentation is focused on women, it should not be taken
to mean that men are off the hook! Obviously, since we are
functioning in a society, the roles of men and women are
interconnected. The onus of bringing about a positive moral
and cultural change sits squarely on the shoulders of both the
genders. In the analysis which follows, the complementary
role that men need to play to facilitate women in their duties
will also be discussed. However, the topic of men’s duties is
a large one in itself and to delve deeply into it is beyond the
scope of this book.
Throughout the book I present the Vedic view, giving references
from Vedic scriptures, particularly the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Of
1
all the Vedic literatures, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is considered
to be the most authoritative, because its eighteen thousand
verses, written by the compiler of the Vedas, Vyāsadeva,
serve as his commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, the essence
of all theistic knowledge. I also refer to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s
commentaries and his remarks in conversations and letters,
2
3
1. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, English translation and commentary by
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (Los
Angeles: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1972).
2. Such references will be footnoted as ‘purport by Śrīla
Prabhupāda’ preceded by the verse he has commented on.
3. To read the full transcript of the lectures, conversations and
letters please visit www.vanipedia.org