Page 52 - M&M - Eng
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the beginning and in the end of his book and thus leaves us
with the understanding that we as the present and the future
generations of ISKCON have to take this statement seriously if
we wish to follow the mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
This book is a real eye-opener and makes us really wonder
whether we are really following the teachings of Śrīla
Prabhupāda or still keep too much of the inheritance of the
worldly thinkers of the West in our worldview and life. If we
stick to the facts that HH Bhakti Vikāsa Swami gives us in the
book it is obvious why Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized the social
system of varṇāśrama-dharma and why he opposed feminism.
Important topics are clearly analyzed and discussed such as
female dīkṣā-gurus, divorce, female leaders, sannyāsīnīs, career
women, and the mistake of looking down on women who
choose a most valuable life as full-time mothers. The arguments
are clear and whether we like it or not we must realize that even
though men and women are equal on the spiritual platform we
are not equal on the material and social platform.
My experience in studying this book is that it is a very thorough
analysis of these topics and it is written in a genuine mood of
protection of women. I have been in the situation of working
outside on a full-time basis in the society for many years and
after having taken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the last five years,
I can definitely follow and agree with the conclusion of this
book. Spiritual life becomes very difficult living in the modern
cities while working outside ISKCON in the corporate world.
Superficially the book might be judged as an attack on
women’s freedom and emancipation, but it is just the opposite.
It is a very brave and noble attempt to make us women aware
of the dangerous traps of māyā in the form of the modern
society, sucking out our energy to perform our spiritual
duties and placing us in an artificial social position in which