“His wife feels that he is deserving of her devotion. Are we right to question this?”
“
My intention is not to offend or to judge, but to request integrity to the editorial policy of this news page and put the focus where it belongs.”
from Jayasri devi dasi
Dear CHAKRA editors,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I understand the motivation behind the letter chastising Jivan Mukta's recent comments. Although I understand it, my personal feeling was that certain innuendos were not appropriate. Mother Sita is described as being "used by these men..." These men include her husband! To imply that her own husband is "using her" and allowing his male friends to do the same is a strong assumption and speculative.
Anyone who knows of these two devotees and has seen their posts knows full well that Mother Sita has expressed the GHQ "agenda" many times in many forums. She has openly made clear her position on women's roles, and is not afraid to do so, even when attacked from all sides. To infer that she is merely a pawn does not seem accurate, nor should it to anyone else who has seen her posts and even debated them with her. Mother Sita is very clear on her position, whether anyone agrees with her or not.
To imply that her own husband is using her seems hurtful in its own way Srila Prabhupada has said:
10.29.25
"Women who desire a good destination in the next life should never abandon a husband who has not fallen from his religious standards, even if he is obnoxious, unfortunate, old, unintelligent, sickly or poor."
Can anyone prove that Jivan Mukta prabhu has fallen from his religious standards? I have seen devotees call him obnoxious, among other much stronger words, because of his comments and views. Regardless of this, his wife feels that he is deserving of her devotion. Are we right to question this?
I do not endorse hurtful words by anyone. I realize that Jivan Mukta prabhu said some things recently that were hurtful, and I am not defending this. I think an apology from him would be desirable and absolutely appropriate. Nevertheless, he tries to be a devotee according to his realization, he is faithful to his wife, and he takes care of his children. That is more than we can say for many men in this movement, isn't it?
Mother Sita is his wife and she is devoted to him, and serves him without duplicity. For any one of us to say he is using his own wife for some nefarious scheme does not seem to be accurate. It is speculation. Mother Gandhari served Dhrtrastra without duplicity, even when he plotted death and destruction of Krsna's pure devotees, her nephews. Their relationship as husband and wife stood firm, as did her devotion to him, regardless of his character. She was considered one of the greatest chaste ladies for being this way toward her husband.
The views held by these two devotees are obviously not popular, and the words they have used hurt people. If need be, the focus should be placed on that alone. I feel that this inference that Jivan Mukta prabhu is "using" his own wife and allowing others to do the same is speculative, not accurate, and really no one's business but theirs. In addition, it goes strictly AGAINST CHAKRA's editorial policy. In this light, it seems fitting that this text should be removed, or rewritten to focus on the views without questioning the integrity of their marriage. I would be mortified if someone questioned the integrity of my marriage on the Internet for all to see. Who wouldn't?
Please forgive any offenses I might have made here. My intention is not to offend or to judge, but to request integrity to the editorial policy of this news page and put the focus where it belongs. Thank you for your consideration.
Your willing servant,
Jayasri devi dasi
© CHAKRA 28-Dec-98
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