Page 13 - Powerful Feminine Qualities

self-restraint and the development of saintly qualities to protect herself and her children. The following bullet points
summarizes a long-term strategy for a wife with an abusive husband:
• remain submissive (unless the husband becomes dangerously violent, then temporary or long term separation is
recommended),
• remain tolerant and patient,
• attentively serve the family and relatives,
• follow the regular activities of a serious devotee such as chanting Hare Krishna and all other spiritual duties,
• cook tasty and fresh prasadam and serve it with love to the family and guests,
• keep the home clean and well organized,
• manage household activities and involve the husband and children if possible,
• avoid arguing and all unpleasant verbal exchanges and refrain from saying anything insulting to the husband’s
family, and
• speak always with gentle and truthful words based on shastric evidence.
•
Good memory and intelligence are required to stay steady in the performance of spiritual duties
Arjuna learned to be an expert archer from his guru Dronacarya. During the battle of Kuruksetra, he had to kill
Dronacarya. He shot an arrow that landed at the feet of Dronacarya. His guru understood, “He is paying his obeisances
to me.” Dronacarya shot an arrow that slightly touched Arjuna’s head. It was like gently putting his hand on Arjuna’s
head, and giving his blessing (asirvadh) to his disciple. Their shooting of arrows was a transcendental exchange
between the guru and his disciple. Arjuna offered his obeisances and said, “Sir, you taught me this art of archery.
Thank you very much. But now, I have to kill you. This is my duty. Do I have your permission?” Then, Dronacarya
answered him by shooting an arrow back that just whizzed past his head. That meant he touched him on his head, like
a father and said, “Yes, my dear son. You can kill me now.” This is duty. The disciple cannot act without first getting the
blessing of his guru.
The Vedic code of respectful behavior is beyond the imagination of most people. It is portrayed eloquently in the
Mahabharata and the Ramayana, which one should hear from a qualified devotee. Scholars will often interpret the
Vedic literature based on their own material experiences and speculative musings. They use their imperfect reasoning
to come up with mundane theories. Even the most intelligent person cannot understand the plans and activities of a
pure devotee. The devotee is always engaged in the service of the Lord. He is incessantly thinking how to please his
spiritual master and the Lord by his service. Thus, pure devotees are to completely liberated from the influence of the
modes of nature. Unless one is free of the material influence of the three modes, it is impossible to understand the
activities of pure devotees. Therefore, the respectful behavior of Arjuna and his guru Dronacarya is incomprehensible
for materialistic scholars. One needs the blessing and training of a bona fide devotee to develop the spiritual
intelligence and memory to understand the transcendental dealings of devotees and Krishna.

Dhritih - Steadiness (determination)
Steadiness or determination is described as, “That determination which is unbreakable, which becomes sustained
steadfastness by yoga practice, and which thus controls the activities of the mind, life and senses is determination in
the mode of goodness." (Bg 18.33)
One may make a strong vow, “I shall chant minimum sixteen rounds a day of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra- Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,” and remain steadfast
in following it.
There is the history of Bhisma, the grandfather of the Pandavas and Kurus. His mother was Ganga devi and his father,
Maharaja Santanu. He was a single parent, who desired to get married again. One day he met the daughter of a
fisherman, who he wanted to marry. Her name was Satyavati devi. However, her father was very cunning. He refused
to let his daughter marry Santanu on the plea that he wanted his daughter’s son to become the next king. However,

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