Page 92 - Defending Prabhupada Words - By Harivlas Das

death. She pleaded with him to give her husband back. He
refused. But he agreed to give her three blessings because
she was a “pati-vrat” (a faithful devoted wife). First, Savitri
asks that her father-in-law’s sight be restored, then she
asks that his kingdom be returned to him. And finally, she
asks that she be the mother of a hundred sons. The last
wish creates a dilemma for Yama, as it would indirectly
grant the life of Satyavan. However, he acknowledges
that she tricked him, but due to her purity he revives her
husband from death. This is an example how powerful a
woman can become by chastity and submissiveness to her
husband and inlaws. This is unfortunately being ignored
for the most part by women today which compounds their
problems in life.
A husband that works can become agitated by so many
material contacts in the world of competition. When he
comes home, it is important that his wife treat him with
sweet words and kind, affectionate gestures to help him
forget the abrasive relations of the outside world. If the
couple can engage in simple acts of worship in the home,
it can quickly erase the effects of materialistic associations
outside the home.
For harmony it is good if the wife has a kindred spirit or
is a soul mate of her husband so that she can follow his
principles. She must recognize her husband’s tendencies
and be amenable to follow him. If the husband is a devotee
and the wife is materialistic or vis-versa, then there will not
be peace and harmony in the home. From the Mahabharata,
the story of Gandhari is very instructive. When she
learned that her soon-to-be husband, Dhrtarastra was
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