Virtues of Women

This land of Bharat has given birth to many noble women like Savitri, who brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati, who extinguished wild fire with the power of truth; Sita, who proved her chastity by coming out of blazing fire unscathed and Damayanti, who reduced an evil-minded hunter to ashes with the power of her chastity. It is because of such women of character that Bharat has attained the reputation of being the land of plenty, prosperity and rich harvest. (Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love!

The ritual of Varalakshmi Vrata is supreme among all the rituals. Since time immemorial, Bharat has been enjoying peace and prosperity because of men and women of character. Bharat has accorded the highest position to mother. The priest also made a mention of this in the morning during the course of the ritual. Legend has it that, once Parvati asked Easwara if there is any ritual, which will confer on women well-being, auspiciousness and prosperity. She desired that every woman should lead a long, happy and healthy life with her husband, children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. Easwara was pleased with Parvati's prayer and told her about the Varalakshmi Vrata, which would confer all a woman would ask for. This particular ritual is a boon for women. Women always strive hard for the welfare of their family. They always aspire for Samata, Samagrata, Samaikyata and Sowbhratrutwam (equality, integrity, unity and fraternity).

Women are extolled as the embodiments of eight forms of wealth (Ashtaiswarya- swarupini). They always speak the truth, their hearts are filled with peace and their actions are righteous. Women, being the recipients of eight forms of wealth, confer prosperity and auspiciousness on the family, society and the world at large. You might have heard the story of Savitri, who, with the power of her character, overcame many obstacles to bring her dead husband back to life. Even in this Age of Kali, it is the prayer of wives that protects their husbands in times of danger. Many women in the past performed Varalakshmi Vrata with devotion and sincerity and became the recipients of the grace of Varalakshmi.

After the annihilation of Ravana, Rama wanted Sita to undergo the test of fire to prove her chastity as Ravana had held her captive for ten months in Lanka. Though Rama, being omniscient, had no doubts regarding Sita's chastity, He did so only in order to dispel doubts from the minds of people. The evil-minded people are like crows. They are full of doubts and preconceived notions. But will the cuckoo stop singing just because the crows are cawing? Likewise, the women of nobility and character are least perturbed by the criticism of the evil-minded people. They do not give scope for any doubts. They follow their conscience and adhere to truth and righteousness. This is the teaching of culture of Bharat: Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara (speak the truth and follow righteousness).

You all know the story of Anasuya (wife of sage Atri). She was put to test by God Himself. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara went to her in disguise and begged for alms. When she was about to serve them food, they said that they would accept it only if she served them naked. Immediately, she transformed them into three infants and fed them as per their wish. She could transform even the Trinity into small babies and play with them only because of her purity of heart and the power of chastity. Ultimately, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati, wives of the Trinity, begged her that their husbands may be returned to them. Anasuya, being one of compassion, yielded to their wish. The Trinity blessed Atri and Anasuya, saying that they would be born to them in the form of Dattatreya. The name Dattatreya signifies One who is adopted by sage Atri.

Sumati was also one of chastity. She was pure-hearted and totally selfless. One day, a sage cursed her husband, saying he would die immediately after sunrise on the next day. She prayed to God with all sincerity and purity. It is only prayer that can atone man's sin and save him from curse. Sumati said, "If my thoughts are pure and truthful, let there not be sunrise at all." As a result, there was no sunrise and the entire world was engulfed in darkness. That is the power of women of chastity. All the demigods and sages approached Sumati and said, "Mother, is it proper on your part to plunge the entire world into darkness for the sake of your husband?" Sumati replied that her husband was more important than the entire world. Only when the demigods assured her of the safety of her husband, did she allow the sun to rise. Thus, since ancient times, women of Bharat led an ideal life and proved to the world the power of chastity. Not only in the bygone ages, even in this Age of Kali, there are many women who are leading exemplary lives.

Kunti was blessed with a son, Karna by the Sun God prior to her marriage to Pandu. She forsook him, as she was afraid of what people would say. After her marriage to Pandu. Dharmaraja, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were born to her. At the time of Kurukshetra war, Dharmaraja was not aware that Karna was his elder brother. It is only after the death of Karna that Kunti revealed the truth to him. Dharmaraja felt very sad having got his own brother killed. He felt that all this happened because his mother had kept a secret from him. Infuriated, he cursed the entire women community saying, "No women can withhold secret."

Since ancient times, the women of Bharat have upheld the dignity and honor of the family and the clan at large. It is only because of the grace of Varalakshmi that they could accomplish this. Varalakshmi is one who grants all the boons that women pray for. She confers on women all the eight types of wealth. Noble women like Savitri, Damayanti, Chandramati and Sumati could work wonders only due to the grace of Varalakshmi. Varalakshmi Vrata confers all the wealth, prosperity and bliss. But due to the effect of modern age, people do not perform such sacred rituals. That is why the houses where people live have become unsacred and unclean. In Bharat, there is a proverb, "You can judge a housewife by looking at the house." In those days, housewife was considered to be Grihalakshmi. They would keep their houses very clean and tidy. It was just a reflection of their purity.

Today, the food you eat, the water you drink and the air that you breathe in are polluted. Man himself has become highly polluted as he has filled his mind with negative feelings, which are nothing but worldly desires. No doubt, one can have desires, but they should be under certain limits. The letters that you write will appear blue when the pen is filled with blue ink and red when it is filled with red ink. Likewise, all that you see, hear and say will become negative when your heart is filled with negative feelings. So, first of all fill your heart with love. Then all that you see, hear, say and do will be suffused with love. Sarvam Prema Mayam Jagat, you will find love all over the world. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result). Today human heart has become a den of evil qualities like anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, pomp and show. Love alone can drive away these negative qualities. Desire, anger, greed, jealousy etc., arise out of body attachment and improper food habits. So, one has to put a check over body attachment and control desires. It is said, Less luggage more comfort makes travel a pleasure. In order to have a comfortable journey of life, reduce the luggage of desires. One can have body attachment to some extent because the journey of life is undertaken with the help of the body. When one is living with family and friends, it is not possible to give up body attachment. But one should lead a sacred life with the prayer, 'Lokah Samasthah Sukhino Bhavantu' (may the entire world be happy).

All the powers that you find in the external world are present in man. The human body itself is a generator of electricity. The human mind can be compared to television and the heart to a radio. When a particular program is being broadcast by the Delhi radio station, you are able to hear the same program at the same time by tuning your radio to the appropriate frequency. Today we have radios, but in those days, people considered their hearts as radios. Make your hearts pure and sacred. All that you see in the external world can be visualized on the screen of your mind. So, the mind itself is a television. Thus, you see that all the powers are latent in man. All that you see outside is nothing but the reflection of the inner being. When you say someone is bad, it means you are seeing the reflection of your bad feelings in him. Good and bad arise from within, they are not present outside.

You can find your reflection in the mirror truly when it is coated on one side. Your heart can be compared to a mirror. Let it be smeared by the chemical of love on the one side. Only then you can see yourself. The Vedanta has declared, Raso Vai Saha. Here is an example: When sugar and water are mixed, it becomes syrup. The sugar and water become inseparable. Just as sugar is present in every drop of syrup, God is present in the entire creation. Easwara revealed the secret of Varalakshmi Vrata to Parvati in order to bestow peace and prosperity on all the women. Performance of this ritual is easy but you are all fortunate to have performed this in a sacred place and in the Divine Presence.

Betel leaf alone cannot make a Pan. It has to be mixed with an appropriate quantity of betel nut and lime. Betel leaf is green in color, betel nut is brown and lime is white. Together they form red color, lime adds taste to the Pan, but when used in excess, will burn the tongue. That is why it is said, Na Sreyo Niyamam Vina (there will be no well-being without discipline). The normal temperature of the body is 98.4 degree Fahrenheit. Fever sets in when the temperature crosses the limit, liikewise, the normal blood pressure is 120/80. When it shoots up to, say 150/90, it leads to disorder. Likewise, everything should be under certain limit. Your speech and actions should also be within certain limit. Act as per your capacity. Before undertaking any activity, enquire, where, when and how it has to be done. If you do not adhere to such discipline, you will be inviting trouble.

All the rituals will yield good results only when they are performed with purity of heart and steady mind. If you have the grace of God, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish in this world. When God can bring dead back to life, can there be anything impossible for Him? He can change sky into earth and earth into sky, but you should pray with purity of heart to attain His grace. Do not indulge in vain gossip. How can you expect God to fulfil your wishes if you talk ill of others?

Embodiments of Love!

Our ancients performed these rituals with sacred feelings. But today people have lost faith in such sacred rituals. They have faith in things, which are transient and ephemeral. First of all, man should transform his heart. He should have the firm faith that God is Hridayavasi (indweller of the heart). Deho Devalaya Prokto Jeevo Deva Sanathanaha (body is the temple and the indweller is God). Respect and revere all bodies as temples of God. Then the world will be free from all conflicts. Today, as selfishness and self-interest are on the rise, the world is gripped in troubles and turmoil. In order to get rid of conflicts, man should cultivate moral values, undertake righteous actions and love everybody. Human life is a combination of morality, spirituality, and righteousness. Today the whole world is centered around money. I often tell you, Money comes and goes, morality comes and grows. Money is like passing cloud. No doubt money is required to carry on your livelihood in this world. But understand that money is not the be all and end all of existence. Earlier people believed Dharma Moolam Idam Jagat (Dharma forms the basis of the world). Now people consider Dhana Moolam Idam Jagat (wealth forms the basis of the world). Understand that Dharma alone will confer peace and bliss on you. Dharma alone will protect you.

During the course of Kurukshetra war, one day Duryodhana and Dussashana provoked Bhishma saying, "O grand sire, you seem to be very dull these days. As a result, our enemies are growing from strength to strength, it is time that you shed your dullness and show your prowess." At that time, Bhishma was the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army. Bhishma promised Duryodhana that he would kill all Pandavas before sunset, the next day. Draupadi was highly perturbed when she came to know of this. She was a great devotee and one of chastity. In this Age of Kali, people wonder how Draupadi, who had five husbands could be called a Pathivrata (one of chastity). Here five husbands symbolize five elements and five life principles.

Draupadi fell at Krishna's feet and prayed that He should protect the Pandavas. Krisbna said, "Follow My command, I shall certainly protect your husbands." Draupadi said, "Krishna, who else can I follow other than you. You are our everything."

It was night-time. As the war was over for the day, all were taking rest in their respective tents. Bhishma was feeling very depressed. "I have vowed that I will kill the Pandavas tomorrow. But how am I to kill them who are noble and virtuous and whom I have brought up with my own hands all these years? It is the food of Kauravas that has spoiled my head (mind)." Thinking thus, Bhishma was pacing up and down in his tent. Krishna sensed Bhishma's predicament. He always plans according to time, place and situation. His is the master plan. He told Draupadi to follow Him. As there was no electricity in those days, there were only small lamps burning in each tent. After walking a certain distance, Krishna asked her to leave her sandals as they were making sound. Draupadi implicitly obeyed Krishna's command. Krishna immediately wrapped her sandals in His shawl and carried them with Him. Once they reached Bhishma's tent, He told Draupadi to hurry up and fall at his feet at once. Draupadi did accordingly. Hearing the jingling sound of bangles, Bhishma thought it was a married woman and as was his wont, blessed her saying, Dheerga Sumangali Bhava (may you and your husband live long). After uttering this blessing, Bhishma noticed, to his great surprise, that it was Draupadi whose husbands, he had vowed to kill the following day. In the meantime, Krishna entered the scene with Draupadi's sandals in His hands. Bhishma realized that it was Krishna's master plan. He extolled Krishna saying, "O Lord, Your Leelas are most wonderful and most sacred in all the three worlds."

Krishna told Bhishma that He had come to Draupadi's rescue as she was highly virtuous. Draupadi was always contented with what she had. She was always obedient to her husbands and would always find time to serve them. There is no woman greater than Draupadi.

Today people are conferred various titles like Padmashri, Padma Vibhushan etc. But the titles conferred on women such as, Grihalakshmi, Illalu, Dharmapathni, Ardhaangi etc., are very sacred. How can woman with such exalted titles to their credit be inferior to men? But unfortunately, today men look down upon women and treat them as mere servants. Thc more you respect women, the more you will be respected. You should see that woman do not shed tears. Otherwise, the family will face hardships. A thorn can be removed from the foot, but a harsh word, which has wounded the heart, cannot be taken back. So, never use harsh words. Talk sweetly and softly. The husband has the right to point out the mistakes of his wife, but has no right to use harsh words and hurt her feelings. You cannot always oblige, but you can speak always obligingly. The family will attain peace and prosperity once you observe these principles. Usually men have the element of anger more in them. Once you get angry, the energy that you got out of food you consumed over three months will be ruined. Not merely that, the blood gets heated up and it takes nearly three months to cool down. Such being the case, imagine what would be your fate if you lose your temper time and again.

The story of Jarasandha bears ample testimony to this. Many a time Krishna invited him for a battle and when Jarasandha would come with fierce anger, Krishna would run away from the battlefield. Seeing this, many people doubted Krishna's ability to vanquish Jarasandha. On being asked for the reason for His strange behavior, Krishna replied thus, "Don't be under the mistaken notion that I am running away from the battlefield out of fear. I can kill him in no time, but I don't want to wage a battle with him. I am killing him slowly by arousing his anger time and again." Gradually, Jarasandha became very weak and ultimately met his doom. Krishna never considered it an insult to run away from the battlefield because He was acting according to His own master plan. Thus, God in order to accomplish His objective does plays a few tricks some times. But all His plans are meant for the welfare of others. He does not do anything for Himself. God always does only good, which may appear to be bad to some people. Mistake lies in their vision, not in God's creation. God always helps and confers sacredness on one and all.

Easwara revealed the sacred Varalakshmi Vrata to Parvati, so that all women would perform this ritual and derive the benefits therefrom. When women perform the Varalakshmi Vrata, they get the blessings that they may live long with plenty and prosperity as Sumangalis with their children and grandchildren. Varalakshmi protects seven generations of your ancestors and seven generations after you. Noble women like Savitri and Anasuya enjoyed peace and prosperity by performing this sacred ritual. The purpose of Varalakshmi Vrata is to atone your sins, develop sacredness and ultimately lead you to Divinity. Varalakshmi is extolled as Lokamatha (Divine Mother). The culture of Bharat considers the word Matha (Mother) as most sacred. In times of suffering, one naturally calls out 'Amma' (mother), not 'appa' (father). The word Amma is most soothing and sacred. It bestows immense strength. The first word that the child utters is amma. That is why the culture of Bharat has accorded highest place to the mother ahead of father, teacher and God. None loves you as much as your mother does. Mother's love defies all description.

Students!

Respect your mother and be obedient to her. If the mother is satisfied with you, the whole world will be satisfied with you. If the mother is not pleased with you, you will become cheap in the eyes of the world. Do not be proud of your youth, beauty and sensory powers. Realize that very soon you will have to pass through old age. If you neglect your parents now, your children will neglect you.

Men should not discourage women from performing sacred rituals like Varalakshmi Vrata. They should provide all the necessary support. This ritual is beneficial not only to women, but also to men. Men should not behave in an arrogant way towards women thinking that they are more powerful. Truly speaking, women are more powerful than men. The Bhagavadgita says that men have only three powers, whereas women have five. Women are ready to sacrifice even their life for the sake of their husbands. Savitri was ready to give up her life for the sake of her husband. But we do not find such spirit of sacrifice in men. Respect, dignity, sacrifice, contentment and prosperity, all these five virtues are present in women. On the other hand, men stand for anger, stubbornness and foolishness. Names of the Divine couples like Lakshmi Narayana, Radha Krishna and Parvati Parameswara indicate that women are given place of priority over men. That is why even in invitation cards, people write Srimati and Sri (Mrs. and Mr.) and not the other way. Prakriti symbolizes feminine aspect. Therefore, men must treat women with respect, so that they will be respected in turn. As the women are the embodiments of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), the world will attain prosperity only when they are respected. You can see it yourself, where there are women of character, there you find all prosperity. You all know that many countries suffered destruction during the World Wars. If Bharat could remain intact, it is entirely due to the presence of virtuous women. Bharat owes its greatness and grandeur entirely to its women. So, respect women and make them happy.

[Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema Mudita Manase Kaho. . ."].