Spiritual Perfection for the Chaste and Faithful Wife
According to Vedic culture, the stability of the family and society rests upon the chastity of women. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that a woman who is trained to be chaste and faithful to her husband becomes an invaluable asset to her family. This faithfulness is not a sign of weakness but a source of immense spiritual strength, enabling a woman to share in her husband’s pious credits and creating an atmosphere where spiritual life can flourish.
The Source of Strength and Beauty
A woman's beauty is not judged solely by her physical appearance but by her character. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as a cuckoo is appreciated for its sweet voice, a woman is adored for her chastity. This virtue grants her supernatural power and allows her to effortlessly share in the spiritual profits earned by her husband.
- Canakya Pandita says that the cuckoo bird, although very black, is beautiful because of its sweet voice. Similarly, a woman becomes beautiful by her chastity and faithfulness to her husband.
- As a man must follow great personalities like Brahma and Narada, a woman must follow the path of such ideal women as Sita, Mandodari and Draupadi. By staying chaste and faithful to her husband, a woman enriches herself with supernatural power.
- As stated in the sastra, the results of a husband's pious activities are shared by his wife. A woman's duty is to be very chaste and faithful to her husband. Then without separate endeavor she will share in all the profit the husband earns.
The Practical Qualities of Chastity
Practically speaking, chastity involves a specific set of behaviors that define a woman's interactions with her husband and society. Śrīla Prabhupāda delineates that a chaste wife accepts the husband given to her by authority, strictly avoids the sinful act of adultery, and extends her affectionate service to her husband's relatives and friends.
- In family life, father, mother, wife and children are assets, but if the wife or mother accepts another husband in the presence of her husband or son, then, according to Vedic civilization, she is considered an enemy. A chaste and faithful woman must not practice adultery—that is a greatly sinful act.
- According to Vedic culture, a woman must accept the husband given to her by her parents and remain chaste and faithful to him. Therefore King Saryati was surprised to see a young man by the side of Sukanya.
- Not only should a woman be faithful and chaste to her husband, but she should also be affectionate to the friends of her husband, obedient to the father and mother of her husband, and affectionate to the younger brothers of her husband.
Creating a Heavenly Home
The combination of a qualified husband and a faithful wife creates a heavenly atmosphere on earth. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that for peace and prosperity to exist in society, women must be trained in chastity and domestic skills. This training ensures that the family life remains happy and stable, regardless of material wealth.
- If the husband is first class and the wife is chaste and faithful, then the home is heaven. This is the formula.
- In the material world, unless women are trained to be chaste and faithful to their husbands, there cannot be peace or prosperity in society.
- If you train woman from the very beginning how to become chaste and faithful to the husband, they can become a very good mother, very good asset in the family.
- This is psychology. If woman is chaste, even though she is not very beautiful, she will be liked by the husband. So train them in that way: very chaste, faithful wife and knows how to cook very nicely.
Ideal Examples of Devotion
The śāstras are filled with accounts of glorious women like Sukanyā and Devahūti, who served their husbands with great love and faith, even under difficult circumstances. Their examples serve as the standard for Vedic civilization, showing that a wife's dedication attracts even the blessings of the demigods and the Supreme Lord.
- She (Devahuti) served him (Kardama Muni) with great love and affection, and she knew how to please him. Therefore, she is designated here (SB 3.23.1) as sadhvi, which means "a chaste, faithful wife." Her rare example is the ideal of Vedic civilization.
- The Asvini-kumaras were very pleased to see Sukanya's chastity and faithfulness. Thus they showed her Cyavana Muni, her husband, and after taking permission from him, they returned to the heavenly planets in their plane.
- Mother Sita was very submissive, faithful, shy and chaste, always understanding the attitude of her husband. Thus by her character and her love and service she completely attracted the mind of the Lord.
A Path to Perfection
Ultimately, chastity is a religious principle designed to foster spiritual advancement. When a husband engages in devotional service and his wife faithfully assists him, their union becomes a vehicle for liberation. Śrīla Prabhupāda declares that this mutual cooperation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the perfection of human life.
- Religious means to become chaste, faithful to the husband. And the husband should become a devotee. Then both of them will make progress in Krsna consciousness, and that is the perfection of life.
- It is the duty of a faithful and chaste wife to help her husband in every respect, especially when the husband is engaged in Krsna consciousness. In this case, the husband also amply rewarded the wife.
- If the husband is nice and the woman follows, woman becomes faithful and chaste to the husband, then their both life becomes successful.
Conclusion
A chaste and faithful wife is the pillar of a successful Vedic household. Her fidelity is not a restriction but a liberation, granting her share in spiritual merits and creating a peaceful environment for the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By following the footsteps of the great wives of Vedic history, a woman elevates herself, her family, and society, ultimately achieving the supreme goal of life alongside her husband.
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 Chaste and Faithful Wife. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.