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Reply to Sambhavi dasi
By Jayasri devi dasi

Dear CHAKRA,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I just wanted to thank Sambhavi dasi for her thoughtful addition to my article. Her words did not put me on the defensive or sound like she was sitting in judgment on a person she doesn't even know. I thank her for that and offer her my humble obeisances.

I realize how she could have come to the conclusion that I overlooked the goal, 'chastity to Krishna'. I mentioned 'pleasing' Krishna several times, but did not mention chastity in that way. I thought I should clarify, in case anyone else thought the same, that I didn't mention it because I thought it was a 'given'. After all, we don't seem to have nearly so much trouble surrendering to Krishna!

I also want to make sure that no one feels that I am trying to promote gaining 'mystic power'(just the thought of that seems humorous to me). I brought up the idea of gaining power because I have seen so many references to this idea since I began pursuing Krishna Consciousness. I hear women say they need to be 'empowered'. It is usually in the context of making sure they enjoy every benefit that is available to men, whether in our society or on the outside.

I personally have no objection to women doing the things men do. If they are qualified, just like the men, I say let them enlighten us. The idea of my article was to point out that you don't LOSE power just because you let your husband head up the household, but that you CAN gain power in that way. Sometimes the women I talk to disagree, and seem to think the only way to have power is to do what men do. Either that or if they 'give' the men the power, they will automatically abuse it. Just because it has happened before doesn't mean the system is flawed. Rather, it means we are flawed.

I would say the article that Her Grace Urmila wrote recently is just perfect in terms of how to view our roles as women. She is qualified to write on these subjects through her experience and realization, and it shows in everything she writes. Her words are sober and in accordance with sastra, without putting anyone down. That is what we need in our society, more of that. She doesn't use mistreatment of her gender to get people to listen and respect her, but earns it through her knowledge and enlightenment.

I believe that when we are married, serving the husband is not only possible but makes for family harmony and sets a good example for children, if they are present. If there is anything our society needs, it is a stronger grhasta asrama. We as women have the power to make or break this asrama. Now that’s power.

Thank you again, Sambhavi dasi, for your thoughtful reply.

Your willing servant, Jayasri devi dasi

© CHAKRA 29-Nov-2003

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