Page 3 - Powerful Feminine Qualities

“POWERFUL FEMININE QUALITIES” – A Lecture by HG Hari Vilas Das Prabhu
Venue: Vedic Cultural Center, Sammamish

Lord Krishna lists seven of His opulences (vibhuti) – fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness
and patience. He considers them feminine. Designating these qualities as feminine does not mean they are reserved
only for women. Krishna declares, “Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence,
steadfastness, and patience.” (Bg 10.34) (kirtih shrir vak ca narinam/ smrtir medha dhrtih ksama). These seven
feminine perfections are the qualities of virtuous women. Even a slight reflection of these qualities in women deserves
praise.
Krishna identifies these attributes as being non-different than Him. A woman who possesses them has been blessed by
the Lord to manifest these qualities. They are manifestations of His transcendental and opulent characteristics. Other
qualities of the Lord may be considered masculine like bravery, strength, renunciation, fearlessness, etc. The
masculine and feminine qualities are shared by both genders.
Lord Krishna possesses all masculine and feminine opulent attributes in full. He declares, “I am the source of all
spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.” (Bg 10.8) The definition of God given in the Vedanta
Sutra (VS 2) is, “That from which everything emanates.” Krishna affirms emphatically, “Of all that is material and
spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution.” (Bg 7.6)
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami has commented on this verse (Bg 10.34), “The seven opulences listed –
fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience – are considered feminine. If a person
possesses all of them or some of them, he becomes glorious. If a man is famous as a righteous man, that makes him
glorious. Sanskrit is a perfect language and is therefore very glorious. If after studying one can remember a subject
matter, he is gifted with a good memory, or smrti. In addition, the ability to not only read many books on different
subject matters but also understand them and apply them when necessary is intelligence (medha), another opulence.
The ability to overcome unsteadiness is called firmness or steadfastness (dhrti). And when one is fully qualified yet is
humble and gentle, and when one is able to keep his balance both in sorrow and in the ecstasy of joy, he has the
opulence called patience (ksama).”

Are feminine attributes only for women?
In the Vedic history, there are many examples of truly remarkable women who have inspired humanity by their
example of purity and dedication to serving Lord Krishna. They have exemplified one or more of the seven feminine
qualities. Why are these perfections feminine?
Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna, “Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps.
And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Bg 3.21) Following the instructions of a
spiritual mentor is required for progress in spiritual life. A person becomes a qualified spiritual mentor by teaching the
same instructions word for word that Lord Krishna delivered to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita. One becomes a leader by
following the example and instructions of pure representatives of Lord Krishna, like Arjuna.
The traditional role of women in Vedic society has been to follow the protective instructions by her parents in her
younger days, her husband in her youth, and the grown-up sons in her old age. This is the proper social behavior
according to the Manu-Samhita, the law book of Vedic society. Following a bona fide mentor submissively is
considered a feminine quality whether it is done by a man or a woman.
Anyone, man or woman, can be purified of all inauspicious qualities by following the principles of devotional service in
Krishna consciousness, which are so powerful that they can elevate the lowest person to become the best by the
mercy of the Lord and the guidance of a pure devotee. This is confirmed by the following statement, “O son of Pritha,
those who take shelter of Me, though they be of low birth – women, merchants (men), workers (lower class men) –
can attain the supreme destination.” (Bg 9.32) The Srimad Bhagavatam corroborates the same point, “All people

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