Qualities and Selection of a Good Husband

According to Vedic civilization, the foundation of a peaceful society and a happy home often rests on the union of a chaste wife and a good husband. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that for a woman, obtaining a qualified husband is not merely a social requirement but a path to spiritual fulfillment. While material security is desirable, the true qualification of a good husband is his ability to lead the family in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

A Woman's Natural Ambition

Śrīla Prabhupāda acknowledges that it is the natural psychology of a woman to desire a comfortable home, good children, and a good husband. These aspirations are not condemned but are recognized as essential for her peace of mind. Historical examples like Devahūti illustrate that even great female mystics sought these fundamental pillars of family life.

• A woman's nature, of course, is that she (Devahuti) wants a good house, good food, fine garments, good children, and a good husband. These are a woman's ambitions. Thus Kardama Muni proved to her that she had received the best husband.
• They don't think there is need of husband. Eh? But they feel. That I know. I have seen one girl. She saw another friend, "Oh, she has got a husband," whispering. So I can understand that everyone aspires after husband, but there is no hope. Hopelessness. This is the position. Every woman wants a good husband, good home, good children, little ornaments, nice food. That is the ambition of every woman, but they are hopeless. Although they are well qualified, European, American girls, they are hopeless, not to get any husband, not to get any home. This is their position. I have studied thoroughly.
• In Bengal even today if a woman lives for a long time with her husband, she is considered very fortunate. A woman generally desires a good husband, good children, a good home, prosperity, opulence and so on.

The Vedic Method of Selection

In the Vedic tradition, finding a good husband was not left to chance or romantic whim. Parents played a crucial role in selecting a suitable match, ensuring compatibility. Additionally, unmarried girls would perform austerities, such as worshiping Lord Śiva, to pray for a qualified husband, recognizing that a good spouse is ultimately a gift of providence.

• The selection of a good husband for a good girl was always entrusted to the parents.
• According to the Vedic system, when small girls ten or twelve years old would go to the bank of the Ganges to take their bath, they would especially worship Lord Siva with prayers to get good husbands in the future.
• In Vedic literature there are so many recommendations: if one wants to cure his disease, he worships the sun, or if a girl wants a good husband, she worships Lord Siva.

The Spiritual Definition

Beyond material qualifications, the most important attribute of a "good husband" is his devotion to God. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a husband who is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa is the greatest asset a woman can possess. If a wife remains faithful to such a husband, she shares in his spiritual merits and achieves liberation alongside him without separate endeavor.

• Females are not meant for the renounced order of life; they should be faithful to their good husbands, for if a husband is competent for liberation, his wife will also achieve liberation with him.
• According to Vedic understanding, the woman, the body of woman is lower-grade birth. Therefore if she's fortunate to have a good husband, devotee, and if she becomes faithful to that husband, then her life is successful.
• Vedic system advises women to become very chaste and accept the husband as master. Your husband is especially good because he is progressing in Krishna Consciousness.

Mutual Cooperation

The relationship between a husband and wife is one of mutual assistance. The wife is described as the ardhāṅginī, or half the body of the husband. When she assists her good husband in his duties and he protects her in religious principles, they create a harmonious environment perfect for cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

• Just as intelligence is always within the heart, so a beloved chaste wife should always have her place on the chest of a good husband. This is the proper relationship between husband and wife. A wife is therefore called ardhangani, or half of the body.
• You must give your good husband all assistance so that he can do things nicely. that is you duty. As his wife, you are his better half and it is your duty to help him in every way possible.
• If you and your good husband require to live together to advance nicely in Krishna Consciousness, that is very good proposal.

Conclusion

A good husband is not simply one who provides material opulence, but one who acts as a spiritual guide. For a woman, obtaining such a husband is the result of pious activities and proper training. When a wife serves a devotee husband with faith and love, and the husband protects the wife according to religious principles, their marriage transcends the material platform and becomes a vehicle for returning home, back to Godhead.

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