Women in Ramayana
Question: I have two questions concerning Rāmāyaṇa. 1) When Vālī defeated Sugrīva, he threw him out of his kingdom and took his wife away. 2) When Lord Rāma was ruling Ayodhyā, He sent Sītā away when a man questioned her
Questions & Answers
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa
Shastra
Women and Lust
by Satyanarayana Dasa There are popular statements found in smṛtis and nīti sāśtra that women have eight times more kāma than men. For example: strīṇāṁ aṣṭa-guṇā-kāmaḥ (Bṛhat-pārāśara-smṛti) kāmaśca aṣṭā-guṇaḥ smṛtaḥ (Garuḍa-purāṇa 1.109.33, Hitopadeśa 2.71) The word kāma in these statements
Questions & Answers
Did Women Study the Veda in Ancient Times?
Question: We sometimes address the question of why women were categorically included amongst those who can’t study the Veda. This question accepts a basic supposition that women indeed were not permitted to study the Veda. However, I have strong doubts
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Sadhana
The Place of Women in the Bhakti Movement
Question: I personally appreciate the role of women within the bhakti movement in general and within the Vaiṣṇavism in particular. But sometimes I wonder where is the living spirit of Jāhnavā Mātā, now? Currently, who is the most representative gurvī
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa
Questions & Answers
Vedic Culture
Women in Vedic Culture
Question: Are women less intelligent? Answer: This is a vague question, I must say. Intelligence is multifaceted; there are various types of intelligence. According to Howard Gardner, Professor of Education at Harvard University, there are nine types of intelligence. Similarly,
Questions & Answers
Descriptions of Women in Shastra
Question: Often we hear statements that women are 9 times more lusty, but I have not come across that in any scripture. Some people may argue that the basis of this roof for the “nine times lustier” statement in shastra is
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa
Shastra
Are Women Duplicitous and Selfish According to Bhāgavatam? (Part 2)
As similar example can be found in the story of the churning of the milk-ocean by the devas and asuras. (Devas are those who live responsibly, looking after the condition of nature and the world. Asuras are materialistic people whose