The Power of Women

The following article is adapted from a discourse given by Sathya Sai Baba on April 19 in Kodaikanal on Women’s Day. Baba stresses how women are instrumental in promoting and sustaining the welfare of the home, the family, the society and ultimately the nation.

This Bharat (India) is the land of sanctity and chastity that has given birth to women of exceptional character.

The Forms of Gayatri

From ancient times, the presiding deity of the Gayatri mantra, Gayatri Devi, has been worshipped as the mother of the Vedas, which are held as the most ancient and authoritative scriptures of wisdom.

Gayatri consists of four elements. They are (1) sathyavathi (2)anghavathi (3) anyavathi and (4) nidhanavathi. All four are equally sacred. The first one, sathyavathi, signifies the existence of atma in every being just as butter is manifest in every drop of milk. It proclaims, “Ekatma sarvabhuta antaratma (one atma is present in all beings).” There is only one truth, which is spoken of in many ways by the wise. The second part, anghavathi, signifies the five elements present in all beings, and also the five senses of hearing, touch, vision, taste and smell. Everything in this world is composed of these five elements. Anghavathi is the embodiment of the five basic elements. The third part anyavatlzi, refers to the different names attributed to different aspects of the Divine. For example: Lord Shiva is associated with three eyes and a trident; Vishnu with the conch, discus, and mace; Ganapathi is identified by his elephant face and big belly, and is the first to be worshipped in all rituals; Saraswathi is described as holding in her hand the veena (a musical instrument) through which she teaches the divine sound principle. Thus, anyavathi signifies the different characteristics of the forms of divinity [recognizing that all is one]. Nidhanavathi, the fourth part, teaches the nine types of worship, namely, hearing, singing the glory of God, thinking of the name of God, service, prostration, worship, servitude, friendship and surrender. The world is symbolized by these four parts of Gayathri.

Women Uphold Virtue

Bharat has always accorded a high place to women as the upholders of all social virtues. The very fact that in mentioning the names of divine couples like Vishnu and Lakshmi, Siva and Parvathi, the name of the consort is given first place (as in Lakshmi Narayana, Uma Maheshwara), shows the importance given to women.

People generally speak of women as the weaker sex. Bharatiyas recognize that women cannot be considered weak. The woman in charge of the home plays the main role in bringing good name and fame to the household. Similarly, women play a major role in upholding the prestige of the state, the country and even the world.

From ancient times, women have been held in high esteem. According to the scriptures, women have seven good qualities: truth, love, righteousness, peace, tolerance, bliss and spirituality.

At home, the woman is referred to as Grihalakshmi, Goddess of Prosperity in the Home. When her husband faces difficulties, she readily shares the burden and is prepared to undergo any suffering for the welfare of her husband and family. The woman is the embodiment of sacrifice. Though men may also sacrifice, it is with a selfish tinge, while women’s sacrifice is absolutely selfless. Therefore, we should be proud of our women.

Status of Women in Ancient India

If Bharatiya culture and morality have survived foreign invasions and other crises, it is due to the courage of the nation’s women. Women shine as soldiers with the weapons of truth and righteousness. Women will not normally tell lies. By and large, they follow the Vedic injunction, “satyam vada, dharmam chara (speak truth and practice righteousness).”

Once King Janaka searched for the most suitable scholar from whom to receive his academic honor. Although there were great sages and highly learned scholars, such as Yajnavalkya, in the assembly, King Janaka decided that Gargi (a woman scholar) was the fittest person to give him the honor. This illustrates how women from ancient times have been held in high esteem by ordinary citizens and even by kings. But gradually men started disrespecting women. Even some renunciants denied proper recognition to them. When Sage Mathanga wanted to admit the great woman devotee, Sabari, into his ashram, many of his disciples raised objection. But the noble Mathanga, recognizing the extraordinary merit of Sabari’s chastity, sincere devotion and dedication to the pursuit of liberation, admitted her. She finally proved to the world how devoted she was to Lord Rama when her devotion led to her meeting Him and her final liberation.

Role of Women at Home

Women have very auspicious and noble qualities. Now the government is conferring the honorific titles of Padmashri, Padmabhushan etc. on its chosen citizens. But women have had the more respectable and valuable titles of Griha-lakshmi, Dharmapatni (Righteous Wife), or Ardhangi (Equal Partner of the Husband). They had these titles because of their good qualities and spirit of sacrifice.

Questions are raised concerning who will look after the home when women go to work. Some say that though women go to work to solve financial problems, bigger problems may have to be confronted if they work outside the home. In the modern world, it is necessary for a woman to share the burden of maintaining the family with her husband; therefore, women need to be educated and have jobs. It would be selfish of men to prevent women from going to work after they have acquired the requisite qualifications. In fact, women could control the whole world by virtue of their inherent qualities of love and their spirit of sacrifice.

Anger is more common to men than women. Though there are instances when women give vent to anger, such occasions are few compared to men. Savithri fought with the god of death (Yama) and succeeded in getting her husband’s life back. Can you find any instance in history where a husband was prepared to sacrifice for his wife? Unfair things happen in the world with respect to women. That is why we decided to celebrate not only l9 November but the 19th of every month as Mahila Day (Women’s Day).

Role of Women in the World

Women in the Sai movement are enthusiastically participating in large numbers in activities such as helping women from weaker sections of society learn useful trades so they can earn money for the family, and also spend their time usefully. If such actions were taken up all over the country, the country will prosper. This sacred work is typical of the culture of India’s ancient country. Women are heirs of the ancient culture. Culture means refinement. Women are the torchbearers of refinement.

In this Kali Age, there may be some exceptional cases where women may not be following truth and righteousness. But mostly, they live up to these ideals. Women are not encouraged to show their abilities. Even in the family, women have to face obstacles and confrontations. If only women were given their due recognition and encouragement, they would shine with brilliance in all fields and would serve the house, the country and the entire world gloriously, contributing to the welfare of all humanity.

If men follow the example of women and imbibe sacred and sacrificial qualities, the world will definitely improve. Men say a man is known by his job, as though only males can do jobs. This is a misnomer. Women are now doing all work equal to men. In fact, women work more sincerely and with more dedication. Recently, a director of the Indian Telephone Industries came to see Swami. Swami questioned him about the percentage of women employed in the industry. He said 99 percent of those employed there were women; he added that women performed ten times better than men. Women do not stop or step out until the allotted work is completed. They have a better work ethic than men.

It is nowhere stated in any sacred text that woman should only cook and not work like men. As a matter of fact, even men need to learn cooking and housekeeping to help their wives in times of need. Awareness is life. Awareness means total knowledge, not partial knowledge. Enthusiasm is full in woman. Men should make the effort to learn everything. Women have hidden power immanent in them; men have to encourage them to exhibit their talents.

God Makes No distinction

Generally, the term purusha is taken to mean only men, based on physical form. This is not true. Purusha represents the atma or chaitanya which is in the body from top to toe. Une who realizes divinity is purusha. The four goals of life—right action, wealth, desires and liberation—apply not only to men but also to women. Actually, women follow the fundamental dharma truly, while men act selfishly. 

Swadharma means atma-dharma (divine dharma) not the dharma pertaining to body. This ideal was followed by the ancients. Wealth does not merely mean money. It means wisdom. Both men and women have the right to experience non-duality, which is real wisdom. The desire referred to is not for worldly objects but for God. Desire for liberation is common to all, whether men or women. Liberation is the shedding of bodily attachment. Without following the senses or the mind, if you follow the conscience, you can progress toward liberation.

In order to teach the subtleties of the scriptural texts and encourage women to play their roles in society, the nineteenth day of each month is now Mahila Day. Dharma can be made to occupy its position in society and be restored to its pristine glory only by women. But men also have an equal right to participate in this mighty and sacred effort; they should so that the country may prosper.

Even if men do not actively participate, they should at least let women work in this effort without interference. Krishna has declared in the Bhagavad Gita that God will liberate those that surrender to Him-without any distinction of sex, creed or nationality. God will look after the welfare of those who think of Him with devotion without dissipating any thoughts on worldly things. God makes no distinction between men and women. You should also practice this principle of equality. God is everywhere. You cannot restrict him to your narrow limits as though He were confined only to the form contained in your small picture frame. It is a folly to do so. God has thousands of forms and names. You may say Allah, Yesu, Rama or Krishna; all refer to only one God. If you say that only the form you worship is God, you are limiting the infinite to a narrow finite entity.

You should give up all religious differences.

There is only one religion—that of love.
There is only one caste—that of humanity.
There is only one language—that of the heart.

I spoke earlier of the four parts of the Gayatri and the five elements. All are divine. They have no caste or creed. If you realize unity, you get purity and divinity. You are forgetting this and breeding feelings of enmity and community. God makes no such distinction of community, nationality or sex. ln ancient times, they did not have such differences. Do not give room-for any such feelings. Cod is one and everyone in this world has an equal right to enjoy His grace.

Source: Sanathana Sarathi, July1998

No matter where you go, always do your duty as you see it, and know that I will be there inside you guiding your every step of the way. In the years to come, you will experience me in many different manifestations of my form. You are my own, dearer than dear to me. I will protect you as the eyelids protect the eyes. I will never leave you and you can never leave me. From this point on, do not hanker after anything. Do your duty with unwavering love, seeing all as God.  patient. In time, everything will be given to you. Be happy. There is no need to worry   about anything. Whatever is experienced, whatever happens, know that this avatar willed it so. There is no force on earth which can delay for an instant the mission for which this avatar has come. You are all sacred souls and you will have your parts to play in the unfolding drama of the new golden age, which is coming.

~ Sathya Sai Baba