Page 77 - Defending Prabhupada Words - By Harivlas Das

The words of Arjuna are an indictment of men whose
hearts were overtaken by greed and “irresponsible men”
whose acts lead to the degradation of women.”

The Vedic knowledge emphasizes the unparalleled role
of women, who maintain chastity and faithfulness, to
engender and educate a good population of children
for peace, prosperity, and spiritual progress in society.
To do this, women and children require protection by
the elder members of society, meaning responsible men
and exordinary women in positions of leadership. For
example, Satyavati dasi ordered her son Vyasadeva to
engender children. She was a leader of her royal family
and could order her illustrious son to perform a necessary
function for the good of society. Draupadi devi refused
to have Aswatthama killed. Srimati Kunti devi ordered
King Yudhistira to perform the final rights of the Kuru
warriors. These women were leaders of society and could
order kings to act.

In the verse “Mam hi partha vyapaaritya” (Bg 9.32) two
types of men (merchants and laborers) and one type of
women are mentioned as low-born yet still able to achieve
the highest perfection of spiritual life. Therefore, all
women are not signaled out as less endowed than men for
spiritual life or societal leadership.

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