Page 16 - Powerful Feminine Qualities

and recounted the story. The highly virtuous king said, “ksama, or patience is an adornment to women and men.
Patience is charity. It is the truth. It is the sacrifice, Oh daughters. It is glorious, righteousness and the world revolves
around it” (VR 1.33.7). Lord Rama listened to this story and approved it. One can understand that both men and
women need to imbibe this auspicious quality of patience. Soon, King Brahmadatta, the illustrious son of Sage Culi and
Apsara Somada, married the 100 daughters of King Kusanabha. As soon as King Brahmadatta touched the hand of the
100 maidens, they were restored to their former pristine beauty. This story is yet another example of the importance
of patience.

Vak – fine speech
Pleasing speech should be composed of selected words, very sweet to hear, and appropriate to the situation. Such
speech is meaningful. Speech is the most important quality of a person, because it eventually reveals his character,
which should also be validated by his actions. It is said a fool is unnoticed if he remains silent. However, as soon as he
speaks he reveals his foolish nature. A Krishna conscious person, however, is recognized because he speaks only about
Krishna and His qualities, pastimes, etc. Sukadeva Goswami, for example, spoke only about Krishna to Maharaja
Pariksit for seven days before his imminent death. Enlightening others by always speaking about the glories of Lord
Krishna is the special characteristic of a devotee. “The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully
devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and
conversing about Me.” (Bg 10.9) The mind of a genuine devotee cannot be diverted from his meditation on his
worshipful Lord Krishna. He talks uniquely about the transcendental activities and qualities of the Lord all day long. His
pleasure and satisfaction in life is enlightening and discussing about Krishna with other devotees.
Lord Krishna explains the austerity of speech, “Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful,
pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.” (Bg 17.15) In the
commentary to this verse, Srila Prabhupada writes, “One should not speak in such a way as to agitate the minds of
others. Of course, when a teacher speaks, he can speak the truth for the instruction of his students, but such a teacher
should not speak to those who are not his students if he will agitate their minds. This is penance as far as talking is
concerned. Besides that, one should not talk nonsense. The process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something
upheld by the scriptures. One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back up what he is saying. At the same
time, such talk should be very pleasurable to the ear. By such discussions, one may derive the highest benefit and
elevate human society. There is a limitless stock of Vedic literature, and one should study this. This is called penance of
speech.” (Bg. purport to 17.15)
When a pure Vaishnava speaks, Krishna Himself manages his speech from within the heart of the devotee. When Lord
Caitanya questioned Ramananda Roy about the transcendental affairs of Radha and Krishna, he replied, “Actually You
are speaking through my mouth, and at the same time You are listening. This is very mysterious. Anyway, kindly hear
the explanation of the process by which the goal can be attained.” (CC Madhya 8.200) When a pure devotee of Krishna
speaks with scriptural references confirming every one of the statements he makes, the listener can understand that
the Supreme Lord has blessed the speaker. The ability to validate his statements with scriptural references either
made by Krishna himself or by Krishna’s pure devotees like Arjuna, is a sign that the speaker has the benediction of the
Lord to explain with spiritual potency. The Lord says, “Those who are constantly devoted to worshiping Me with love, I
give the understanding by which they can come to Me." (Bg 10.10) The Lord is present in the heart of every living
entity and He is the source of all knowledge and intelligence. He says, “… from Me come remembrance, knowledge
and forgetfulness.” (Bg 15.15)
If Krishna appreciates the sincere efforts of His devotee to serve Him, He, “lights up the darkness of ignorance in the
heart of the devotee by the lamp of transcendental knowledge.” (Bg 10.11) Ramamanda Roy acknowledged that his
explanations were not derived from his own intelligence. In a mysterious way, everything he spoke was inspired by
and coming from Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

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