Page 66 - Defending Prabhupada Words - By Harivlas Das

In the purports to Narada Muni’s narration Srila
Prabhupada elaborates on Narada Muni’s points and also
explains the path of liberation from such entanglement.
Srila Prabhupada’s use of the word rape is understandable
in the context of a handsome young man who approaches
a beautiful, young, unmarried woman and woos her
aggressively. In general, young, unmarried women
appreciate such attention if it remains within certain
bounds. If the young woman responds favorably, the man
becomes more and more attached to her in a relationship
of pleasing sexual acts and other forms of mutual favors.
In some cases, if the man is overly aggressive without the
explicit consent of the young woman, his rush to sex may
be considered rape. Srila Prabhupada’s point is, “Although
rape is not legally allowed, it is a fact that a woman likes a
man who is very expert at rape.” This echos the words of
the young woman in Narada Muni’s narration. She says,
“Actually you relieve the distress of husbandless women
like us by your attractive smile and your aggressive mercy.
We think that you are traveling on the surface of the earth
just to benefit us only.” The aggressive mercy points to a
man’s ability to seduce a woman and satisfy her lustful
desire for sex.

The acts of “aggressive mercy” may have the same
appearance as rape, but when it is received favorably by
the woman it is mercy, and unfavorably, it is rape. If the

65

09-02-2023 17:30:18
e.indd 65
Defending Prabhupada Words inside.indd 65 09-02-2023 17:30:18
Defending Prabhupada Words insid