Many are calling Prabhupada a misogynist because knowledge to the contrary has been cloaked. Lets clear his name, and coach ourselves concurrently.
Prabhupada instructions below are often to those who took spiritual initiation, dedicated themselves as would a Buddhist monk, Catholic Nun, Rabbi. Might want to keep that in mind while reading.
--
"You do not think that only woman is woman. The man is also woman.
Don't think that the woman is condemned; man is not. Woman means
enjoyed, and man means enjoyer. So this feeling, this feeling is
condemned. If I see one woman for enjoyment, so I am man. And if
woman also sees another man for enjoyment, she is also man. Woman
means enjoyed and man means enjoyer. So anyone who has got feeling of
enjoyment, he is considered to be man. So here both sexes meant for...
Everyone is planning, "How I shall enjoy?" Therefore he is purusa,
artificially. Otherwise, originally, we are all prakrti, jiva, either
woman or man. This is outward dress." Srila Prabhupada Lecture,
Srimad-Bhagavatam. Vrndavana, 1 September 1975
---
"If we become attracted... Woman means for man the woman is woman, and for the woman the man is woman. Not that woman means a particular class. Woman means which are enjoyable. So in this material world, the man is enjoyable by the woman, and the woman is enjoyable by the man. For both of them, visayinam sandarsanm atha yositam. Yosit means enjoyable." Srila Prabhupada Lecture - Srimad-Bhagavatam. Vrndavana, 10 September 1976
--
"If we make distinction between man and woman, black and white, then
how in our temple we are enjoying together? Because we... Actually, we
are equal on the spiritual platform. We do not say that 'You are
woman. You cannot become my disciple,' or 'You are black; therefore
you cannot become my disciple.' No. We welcome everyone. So they may
not misunderstand. Just you can issue one statement that 'We say that
if you want to see everyone equally, treat everyone equally, then you
have to come to the spiritual platform, Krsna consciousness."
-Srila Prabhupada Arrival Lecture., Philadelphia, 11 July 1975
----
“Vaisnave jati-buddhih. If anyone considers a Vaisnava, a devotee of the Lord, in the categorical estimation of birth, then that is hellish consideration.” Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.1.41-42 lecture
----
"Matrvat para-daresu. To see every woman except his wife as mother.
This is education. This is education, perfection of education, when
you can see all women except your wife as mother." Srila Prabhupada
Lecture, Bhagavad-gita. London, 21 July 1973
--
"If a woman is perfect in Krsna consciousness... Just like
Jahnava-devi, Lord Nityananda's wife, she was Acarya. She was
Acarya. She was controlling the whole Vaisnava community." Srila
Prabhupada Interview, Toronto, 18 June 1976
--
"Suniti, the mother of Dhruva, was a farseeing woman, and
therefore
she advised her son to worship the Supreme Lord and
no one else." Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.23, Purport
--
"So far Jadurani is concerned, inform her that
this body is Krsna's body. Therefore, she should take care of her health. Of course it
is very encouraging that she puts forward service of Krsna first, then all
other consideration. It is very nice, and I very much appreciate this
attempt. But still, we should not neglect about our health. Because
the body of a devotee is not material. The body of a devotee should not be
neglected as material. This has been warned by the Gosvamis, that we
should not neglect any material thing if it can be used for Krsna
Consciousness. So her body, because it is engaged in Krsna's service, is
'valuable. So not only she, but all of you, should take care of this poor girl.
She has left her parents and she is unmarried, no husband, so of course,
she is not poor, because she has got so many God-brothers, and sisters,
and above all Krsna, she is not at all poor. In spite of that, we should care
about her health. That is our duty, and inform her that she may not strain
beyond her capacity. Of course, such kinds of trouble may come and go,
a devotee s not afraid of such things, but still it is our duty to think always
that this is Krsna's body, and this must not be neglected. " Srila
Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa, Montreal, August 19, 1968
--
(Polygamist unwilling to acknowledge true reason desirous of more
than one woman, everyone all ready knows, consequently the following)
"According to scriptural injunctions, one is forbidden to engage with
any woman other than ones wife. All other women are to be considered
as one's mother. But in spite of such injunctions, a man is still
inclined to have sex relationships with other women. BG 3.34
--
(For men who insist its not Vedic if a woman does not marry,
particularly them, the following)
"Under the circumstances, what woman who has once heard of Your glories from authoritative sources and has somehow or other relished the nectarean fragrance of Your lotus feet would be foolish enough to gree to marry someone of this material world who is always afraid of death, disease, old age and rebirth? I have therefore accepted Your lotus feet not without consideration but after mature and deliberate decision." - Krsna Book, Chapter 60
--
(To men who desire many women, yet name-call 'prostitute',
clandestine of his desires to fall back to lower nature,
the following)
"When a person is devoid of devotional service, or visnu-bhakti, he
takes to many sinful activities. King Puranjana left home, neglected
his own wife and engaged himself in killing animals. This is the
position of all materialistic men. They do not care for a married
chaste wife. They take the wife only as an instrument for sense
enjoyment, not as a means for devotional service. To have unrestricted
sex life, the karmis work very hard. They have concluded that the best
course is to have sex with any woman and simply pay the price for her,
as though she were a mercantile commodity. Thus they engage their
energy in working very hard for such material acquisitions. Such
materialistic people have lost their good intelligence. They must search
out their intelligence within the heart." Srimad Bhagavatam 4.26.17 P
--
"We may not hate even the prostitutes if they are devotees of the Lord. Even to date their are many prostitutes in great cities in India who are sincere devotees of the Lord. By tricks of chance one may be obliged......uncheckable in all circumstances. It is understood here with that even in those days, about five thousand years ago, there were prostitutes in a city like Dwarka, where Lord Krishna resided." Srimad Bhagavatam 1.11. 19 P
--
"The prostitute shaved her head clean in accordance with Vaisnava principles and stayed in that room wearing only one cloth. Following in the footsteps of her spiritual master, she began chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra 300,000 times a day. She chanted throughout the ntire day and night. She worshiped the tulasi plant, following in the footsteps of her spiritual master. Instead of eating regularly, she chewed whatever food she received as alms, and if nothing was supplied she would fast. Thus by eating frugally, and fasting she conquered her senses, and as soon as her senses were controlled, symptoms of love of Godhead appeared in her person. Thus the prostitute became a celebrated devotee. She became very advanced in spiritual life, and many stalwart Vaisnavas would come to see her." - Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 3.140-142
--
"There is another evidence in the Fourth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, 22nd Chapter, 37th verse, wherein Sanat-kumara says, "My dear King, the false ego of a human being is so strong that it keeps him in material existence as if tied up by a trong rope. Only the devotees can cut off the knot of this strong rope very easily, by engaging themselves in Krishna consciousness. Others, who are not in Krishna consciousness but are trying to become great mystics or great ritual performers, cannot advance like the devotees. Therefore, it is the duty of everyone to engage himself in the activities of Krishna consciousness in order to be freed from the tight knot of false ego and engagement in material activities." BhaktiRasamritaSindhu/Nectar of Devotion, ch 1
----
(For men who sneakily try to sidestep Prabhupada's instruction that its fine for women to go out on book distribution or talk to men to preach, by claiming its not Vedic, the following)
"So we want accomodations for at least forty men and women which will constitute the Sankirtana Party." Srila Prabhupada letter, 1970-6-25
--
"In Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Movement, everyone is preacher, whether man or woman it doesn't matter." Srila Prabhupada Letter to Karandhara.Bombay, 6 October 1976
----
"Regarding your questions about the examination to be given, the girls will also be able to take these. In Krishna Consciousness there is no distinction between girls and boys. The girls also may become preachers if they are able." Srila Prabhupada letter to Himavati devi dasi, 1969
----
“Please accept my blessings, and offer the same to Gaurasundara.
I am so much pleased by reading your letter of June 26, 1969,
describing your preaching activities in Hawaii, both husband and
wife together... I was so much enlivened by hearing of your spirited
preaching activities. I am proud that a little young girl like you is
so much spirited in preaching Krishna consciousness... The whole
world is full of fanatics and atheist classes of men, so sometimes we
have to face such difficulties. But this is all tapasya. Without tapasya,
nobody can approach Krishna. So preachers who boldly face all kinds of
difficulties are considered to be under tapasya, and Krishna takes note of
such tapasya of the devotee, and the devotee is recognized by Him. I have
asked the BTG men to publish your heroic preaching activities under the
heading of 'Heroine Govinda Dasi.' ~ Srila Prabhupada Letter to
female disciple Govinda Dasi. Los Angeles, 7 July 1969
--
(For those pointing out low position of woman, or automatic
exalted position of guru-pati of this times, the following)
"'One cannot be a husband if he cannot liberate his dependents
from inevitable death.' If a person is not in Krsna consciousness
and is bereft of spiritual power, he cannot protect his wife from
the path of repeated birth and death. Consequently such a person
cannot be accepted as a husband. A wife should dedicate her life and
everything to Krsna for further advancement in Krsna consciousness.
If her husband abandons Krsna consciousness and she gives up her
connection with him, she follows in the footsteps of the dvija-patnis, the
wives of the brahmanas who were engaged in performing sacrifices. The
wife is not to be condemned for cutting off such a relationship."
Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila 15.264, P
--
"So far as your question regarding women, I have always accepted the service of women without any discrimination" Srila Prabhupada letterto Gurudasa, 1972
--
(For misogynists excessively busy competing against and controlling
family members, lost in making a buck to pay for everyone, that they no
longer go out on sankirtana, the following)
"There is no competition. Every word is for the good of human society.
Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the
book distribution. Somehow or another, if the book goes in one hand,
he will be benefited. At least he will see, 'Oh, they have taken so
much price. Let me see what is there.' If he reads one sloka, his life
will be successful. If he reads one sloka, one word. This is such nice
things. Therefore we are stressing so much, 'Please distribute book,
distribute book, distribute book.' A greater mrdanga. We are chanting,
playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or little more. But
this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to
community, this mrdanga. So it is advised nr-loke. Nr-loke means the
human form of body, in the human society. We don't discard that 'This
American Society' or 'This European Society' 'This is Indian Society'
..... No, all human being. All human being. It doesn't matter what he
is." Srila Prabhupada,Bhagavatam 1974 Lecture
--
(Regarding misogynists who claim they can do whatever they want,
including abuse, and wife never must leave, the following)
It is especially mentioned here that a devotee must be free from all
violence.. Lord Caitanya has recommended that a devotee not commit
violence to any living entity...... A devotee has to execute the principles of
devotional service exactly as they are, and he must know that however
insignificant a living entity may be, the Lord is present within him. A
devotee must realize this universal presence of the Lord."
- Bhagavatam 3-29-23
--
"One should never think that his mind is trained and that he can do whatever he likes." CC, Madhya 11.10
--
"Nonviolence is generally taken to mean not killing or destroying the body, but actually nonviolence means not to put others into distress. People in general are trapped by ignorance in the material concept of life, and they perpetually suffer material pains. So, unless one elevates people to spiritual knowledge, one is practicing violence. One should try his best to distribute real knowledge to the people, so that they may become enlightened and leave this material entanglement.
That is nonviolence." Bhagavad Gita 13.8-12 P
--
"If your husband cannot follow our principles properly, you are not to
think that you should let that hamper your spiritual life. You should stay with us and cultivate spiritual life peacefully under Krishna's protection and care. If he is not interested in spiritual life, let him do as he pleases. I have given all of my disciple instructions to follow for making spiritual advancement, but if they do not have the desire to follow, then what can I do? Anyone who is unwilling to follow our regulated principles, you should not live or associate closely with such a person." ~ SP letter to Caitanya Dasi, Los Angeles, 25 April, 1973
--
"Inform my daughter Sathi to abandon her relationship with her
husband because he has fallen down. When the husband falls down, it is
the wife's duty to relinquish the relationship." Caitanya Caritamrta,
Madhya 15.264
(Not cheering fickleness or fanaticism in reverse, as misogynists may be quick to accuse. Just honest spiritual following.)
--
(Misogynists and polygamists that state: 'who will protect her if she doesn't marry us, or stay with us unconditionally, regardless what nonsense we do?!" the following)
"Please accept by blessings. I have heard about your good work although
you did not write me. I always remember you as the nicest girl because
you are so devoutly engaged in the service of Krishna. I am sure Krishna is pleased on you and He will bestow His blessings upon you. Better you accept Krishna as your Husband and He will never be unfaithful. Mundane husbands and wives never agree with one another. Because in the material world the relations are on the basis of body which is false basically. Under the circumstance how we can have the genuine thing on platform of false existence. Devote yourself therefore 24 hours in the service of Krishna and see how you feel happy in all respects. You are very good girl, because I have heard you chanting while working. It is very good and may Krishna give you more and more enlightenment. I always pray that you may be happy by our Lord's Grace. I shall be glad to hear from you." - Srila Prabhupada Letter to a female disciple, San Francisco, January 30, 1967
--
[For fairness, the following]
"We give Krsna consciousness both to the woman and man equally. We
do not make any such distinction. But to protect them from this
exploitation by man, we teach something, that 'You do like this. You
do like that. You be married. Be settled up. Don't wander independently.'
We teach them like that. But so far Krsna consciousness is concerned, we
equally distribute. There is no such thing that 'Oh, you are woman,
less intelligent or more intelligent. Therefore you cannot come.' We don't
say that. We welcome women, men, poor, rich, everyone, because in that
platform equality." Prabhupada Room Conversation. Philadelphia, 13 July 1975
[Its fine to get married, not against marriage. Simply if woman wants to remain brahmacarini Prabhupada has authorized. If she marries, husband must be fixed up devotee, not misogynist or lusty polygamist. Men also should not wander and be settled up.]
--
"Nothing is stereotyped. One can change his habit by good or bad association, and one has to become intelligent enough to discriminate between good and bad. " ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.10.41
--
Krsna book-
"If a woman accepts You as the supreme husband, then she will never be bereft of her husband, as in the bodily concept of life. If we accept
You as our ultimate husband, then there is no question of being
separated, divorced or widowed. You are the eternal husband, eternal
son, eternal friend and eternal master, and one who enters into a
relationship with You is eternally happy. Since You are the
teacher of all religious principles, Your lotus feet have to be
worshiped first. Accordingly, the sastras state, Acarya-upasana: the
worship of Your lotus feet is the first principle. Besides that, as
stated in the Bhagavad-gita, You are the only enjoyer, You are the
only proprietor, and You are the only friend. As such, we have come to
You, leaving aside all so-called friends, society and love, and now
You have become our enjoyer. Let us be everlastingly enjoyed by You.
Be our proprietor, for that is Your natural claim, and be our supreme
friend, for You are naturally so. Let us thus embrace You as the
Supreme beloved." -Krsna Book, Chapter 29
--
"My dear Lord, You are certainly the fully independent master of all
the senses. Therefore all women who worship You by strictly
observing vows because they wish to acquire a husband to satisfy
their senses are surely under illusion. They do not know that such
a husband cannot actually give protection to them or their children.
Nor can he protect their wealth or duration of life, for he himself
is dependent on time, fruitive results and the modes of nature, which
are all subordinate to You." Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.18.19
--
"This is a new thing in the history of the sankirtana movement. In
India all the acaryas and their dependents later on only acted from
the man's side. Their wives were at home because that was the system
from old times. But in Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also
equally competent like the men in the matter of Krishna
Consciousness movement. Please therefore carry on these
missionary activities, and prove it by practical example that there is
no bar for anyone in the matter of preaching Krishna Consciousness."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to female disciple, 1969-12-20
--
Krsna book-
"Uddhava is described as the most exalted personality in the Vrsni
dynasty, being almost equal to Krsna. He was a great friend of
Krsna's, and being the direct student of Brhaspati, the teacher and
priest of the heavenly planets, he was very intelligent and sharp in
decision. Intellectually, he was highly qualified. Krsna, being a very
loving friend of Uddhava's, wanted to send him to Vrndavana just to
study the highly elevated ecstatic devotional service practiced there.
Even if one is highly elevated in material education and is even
the disciple of Brhaspati, he still has to learn from the gopis and the
other residents of Vrndavana how to love Krsna to the highest degree."
- Krsna Book, Ch46
--
"You will be glad to know that we draw no distinction of caste,
creed, or nationality. Srila Prabhupada letter to HareKrishnaJi Das,
L.A., Ca., Feb. 1, 1968
--
"I have studied your situation carefully and I encourage you to live
in the temple in the association of fixed up devotees who are
following my teachings strictly. If your husband cannot follow our
principles properly, you are not to think that you should let that
hamper your spiritual life. You should stay with us and cultivate
spiritual life peacefully under Krishna's protection and care. If he
is not interested in spiritual life, let him do as he pleases. I have
given all of my disciple instructions to follow for making spiritual
advancement, but if they do not have the desire to follow, then what
can I do? Anyone who is unwilling to follow our regulated principles,
you should not live or associate closely with such a person."
- Srila Prabhupada letter to a female disciple, Los Angeles, 25 April, 1973
--
"My dear Friend, if you desire to enjoy the company of material
society, friendship and love, then please do not go to see this
smiling boy Govinda, who is standing on the bank of the Yamuna
and playing His flute, His lips brightened by the beams of the full
moonlight." Krishna Book
--
"One should accept this opportunity to return home, back to Godhead,
very enthusiastically. Without enthusiasm, one cannot be successful."
-Nectar of Instruction 3, p. 30
--
Prof. O'Connell: "Is it possible, Swamiji, for a woman to be a guru in the line of disciplic succession?"
Prabhupada: "Yes. Jahnava devi was – Nityananda's wife. She became. If
she is able to go to the highest perfection of life, why it is not possible to
become guru? But, not so many. Actually one who has attained the perfection, she can become guru. But man or woman, unless one has attained the perfection.... Yei Krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya [Cc. Madhya 8.128]. The qualification of guru is that he must be fully cognizant of the science of Krsna. Then he or she can become guru. Yei Krsna-tattva-vetta, sei guru haya. In our material world, is it any prohibition that woman cannot become professor? If she is qualified, she can become professor. What is the wrong there? She must be qualified. That is the position. So similarly, if the woman understands Krsna consciousness perfectly, she can become guru. (Srila Prabhupada Interview with Professors O'Connell)
--
"In other words, the living entity is situated between the two energies of the Lord, and because he belongs to the superior energy of the Lord, he has a particle of independence. By proper use of that independence he comes under the direct order of Krsna. Thus he attains his normal condition in the pleasure-giving potency." - Bhagavad-gita 18.78, purport
--
"So you are an intelligent girl, I need not talk much, and be happy in
Krishna Consciousness business. I am very glad to learn that
Muralidhara, Devahuti and Bharadraja are working together. You
simply supervise them. I know Bharadraja is a very fast working painter and if he sticks to his work, certainly he will do wonderfully." Srila
Prabhupada Letter to female disciple. Los Angeles, 14 January 1970
Know Other Stuff:
Who Killed the COW
Prabhupada's Transcendental Sweetness
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