Spiritual Perspectives on the Natural Desires of Women

This article explores the Vedic perspective on female psychology and the specific nature of material desire. It examines the natural attraction between men and women, the deep-rooted aspiration for family life, and the method by which these propensities can be dovetailed in the service of the Lord to achieve the perfection of life.

The Foundation of Mutual Attraction

The basis of material life is the mutual attraction between male and female, often driven by the desire for sense gratification. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this interaction is fueled by illusion, where physical features captivate the mind and increase the mode of passion, binding the living entity to the cycle of birth and death.

• A woman is generally very much attracted by a man's long arms. A serpent's body is round & it becomes narrower and thinner at the end. The beautiful arms of a man appear to a woman just like serpents, and she very much desires to be embraced by such arms.
• Both man and woman desire one another; that is the basic principle of material existence. Women in general always keep themselves beautiful so that they can be attractive to their lusty husbands.
• The man is thinking that "Mixing with this woman, I'll satisfy my sense desire," and woman is thinking that "By mixing with this man, I shall satisfy my desire".
• As both parties (a handsome man and a beautiful woman) move their eyebrows and glance at one another, their lusty desires increase more and more.

Aspirations for Family and Security

A prominent characteristic of the female nature is the desire for a secure family structure, including a good husband, children, and a home. While these desires are natural, the Vedic wisdom cautions that seeking happiness solely through these material channels without spiritual purpose often leads to frustration and distress.

• 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.
• Any woman desires a child. So when she is married, it is supposed that she will get a child. But if she wants immediately child after being married, that is not possible. She must be patient, then in due course she will be pregnant and there will be child.
• Kardama Muni could understand Devahuti's heart; generally all women desire material enjoyment. They are called less intelligent because they are mostly prone to material enjoyment.

The Nature and Intensity of Lust

Scripture frankly discusses the intensity of lust within the female psychology, noting it can be significantly stronger than in males. This strong propensity requires social protection and the institution of marriage to ensure that such powerful energies are not misdirected into sinful activities but are instead regulated.

• Women in general are very much sexually inclined. Indeed, it is said that a woman's sex desire is nine times stronger than a man's.
• As soon as a woman attains the age of puberty, she immediately becomes very much agitated by sexual desire. It is therefore the duty of the father to get his daughter married before she attains puberty.
• Women as a class are very lusty, and apparently their continuous lusty desires are never satisfied.

Transforming Desire through Spiritual Duty

The perfection of life for a woman lies not in the negation of her nature, but in its purification. By desiring a husband to perform spiritual duties together and by vowing to raise children who can break the cycle of birth and death, a woman's natural desires become a vehicle for returning back to Godhead.

• A man should not desire to become a father and the woman should not desire to become a mother unless both of them have taken the vow that - I shall beget a child and stop his cycle of birth and death.
• It is recommended that a woman desiring to advance in Krsna Consciousness live peacefully with a husband and that the couple not separate under any condition. The husband and wife should control sex indulgence and concentrate their minds on Krsna Consciousness so their life may be successful.
• Rukmini continued, 'Any girl, though not yet having left her home, or even any woman of the highest chastity, would desire to marry You (Krsna), being captivated by Your unprecedented character, knowledge, opulence and position.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings on the desires of women provide a realistic and compassionate roadmap for spiritual life. While acknowledging the strong material pull toward family, husband, and sense gratification, the philosophy encourages women to utilize these very attachments in the service of Kṛṣṇa. By focusing on the ultimate goal of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the natural desires for a home and family are transformed from material entanglements into a fortress of spiritual practice.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Desires of Women. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.