Here Is An Answer For You!

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

(A correspondent who has been a regular reader of the WEEKLY feels that Sri Swamiji's “description” of the fair sex is unfair! He thinks that Sri Swamiji should condemn lust, but glorify Woman. In this topsy-turvy world, when lust has become part of man's nature, when his mind thinks with lust as its very basis, how many men would be able dispassionately to separate lust from its object, woman? Here is Sri Swamiji's reply to the critic, which will be read by all with deep interest. The reply is all the more significant when we realize that Sri Swamiji counts amongst his foremost disciples many women of the East and the West; they have very high regard for him—vide the recently published book “Womens' Light and Guide.”—The Publishers.)

Those persons in whom vairagya or dispassion has dawned can be in tune with me. They only can understand the spirit of my writings in certain portions of my books: “Practice of Brahmacharya” and “How to get Vairagya,” where a negative picture of woman is presented.

It is not condemnation or criticism of woman at all. Man is soaked with passion. He only is the criminal. His mind can be weaned only if such a picture is presented. Mere condemnation of lust will not produce the least effect on him. Side by side, he is asked to develop the Mother Durga bhav and atma-bhav.

If a thousand women and a thousand householders are displeased with me, it does not matter. Ten dispassionate young men will come out with renunciation and high spirit of vairagya by a study of these writings. This is the highest blessing to the world at large. For such rare crest-jewels amongst men, such portions in the books are more than the Vedas put together.

Such a description alone will produce disgust. Fear also must be generated. This can only be done by looking into the defects of sensual life and cobra-bhav. Also there must be a clear understanding of the nature of a woman which Lakshman had. Then alone can man be weaned away from his passion or lower appetite which is very deeply rooted.

Sri Dattatreya, Sri Vasishta, the author of Vicharasagar, Vedanayagam and some English authors, have all presented such a picture or even a worse picture than this.

Such a description is shocking to the worldly-minded passionate people who have no idea of vairagya. Vairagya is a death-blow to them. They are terribly excited.

Women also should have a similar attitude towards men for cultivating dispassion. They should have the bhav of father, the bhav of atma or Ishwara, side by side.

Those who come across my books “How to Get Vairagya,” “Practice of Brahmacharya,” “Vairagya Mala” and “Worldly man! Wake up!” who have studied them deeply and who have stuck to the principles are Emperors of emperors and veritable gods on this earth.

The spiritual transforming fire that is contained these books you will nowhere find. Hence these books are treasures to the aspirants. Passionate young men perhaps may throw them in the wastepaper basket. But the same persons will value them as a celestial treasure when they get knocks and blows and even when slight discrimination and dispassion dawn in them.

If I have presented an ugly picture of woman on one page, in the very next page I have glorified woman. I adore and revere them. They are Durga, Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. They are Grihalakshmis.

Learn to discriminate and become wise. If your mind is turned towards God by a study of these books you cannot repay the debt even in a hundred lives.

This is certainly not an attack or criticism of women. But it is surely an attempt to expose the tricks of Maya which entraps and deludes the poor ignorant jivas and to deliver them from her clutches.

Many saints wish to write on this subject; but they are terribly afraid of public criticism.

If you also develop true, lasting vairagya, you will write in stronger and more vehement terms than me.

If you are not satisfied still, please wait.

Good bye, friend!

SIVANANDA

More Articles on Vairagya:

• What is Vairagya?
• Miseries of Mundane Existence
• The Body
• The World
• The Mysterious Palace of Brahman
• Lord Buddha's Advice
• Happiness is Within
• Essence of Vairagya Shatakam
• Selections from Viveka-Chudamani Relating to Vairagya
• Here is an Answer for You!