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xviii                                           Introduction

          for  varṇāśrama-dharma  as the social enactment of Kṛṣṇa
          consciousness, to offer an ideal alternative for today’s unhappy
          world. The dichotomy is largely between the traditional and
          the modern, or Western.

          Throughout  this  tract,  I often  use  the  word  traditional  to
          refer to the way of life that characterized India in the past
          and  is  widely  followed  still,  as  distinguished  from  modern
          or Western attitudes and norms (which are also extensively
          integrated into Indian life today). In some places, I also use
          the word traditional to refer to ancient cultures that in certain
          signif icant ways parallel the Vedic. My frequent use of the
          word natural indicates that which is according to the universal
          order, as ordained by the Supreme Lord.
          Unless  specif ically  indicated,  my  repeated  references  to
          feminism and feminists pertain particularly to those in the
          secular world, some manifestations of which are discussed
          herein. Although I argue that feminism within  ISKCON is
          a  reflection  of  that  in  the  broader  society,  and  is  deeply
          influenced by it, I do not mean to insinuate that any devotees
          of ISKCON propound the more extreme and pernicious forms
          of feminism.

          ISKCON’s cultural divide is not unique. Similar controversies
          are playing out in many other religious institutions. For
          instance, both within  ISKCON and in various Christian
          denominations, some mentors tend to privilege the perceived
          needs of individuals over the preservation of marriages, and
          thus  are considerably  more  inclined  to recommend divorce
          to couples undergoing serious marital discord; whereas other
          mentors, such as myself, will generally advise to tolerate many
          dif f iculties rather than undermine the sacred institution of
          marriage. Some people will protest that the latter approach
          messes up lives, especially those of women. But many will
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