Dharma Vahini - Post 15

In chapter 4, Swami further explains the 2 main qualities of a woman- Chastity and Modesty.

Swami writes, 

Chastity

Chastity is the ideal for womankind. By the strength derived from that virtue, they can achieve anything. Savithri was able, through that power, to win back the life of her husband; she actually fought with the Lord of Death. Anasuya, the wife of the sage Athri and the mother of Dattatreya, was able to transform even the Trinity into infants. Nalayani, who was devoted to her leper husband, could by the mysterious force of her chastity stop the sun in its course.

Chastity is the crown jewel of women. That is the virtue for which she has to be most extolled. Its beneficent consequences defy description. 

It is the very breath of her life. By means of her chastity and the power it grants, she can save her husband from calamity. 

She saves herself by her virtue and wins, without doubt, even heaven through her chastity. 

Damayanthi burned to ashes a hunter who attempted to molest her, by the power of her “word”. She bore all the travails of lonely life in the jungle when her husband, King Nala, deserted her and she suddenly became the victim of cruel fate.

Modesty

Modesty is essential for woman; it is her priceless jewel. It is against dharma for a woman to overstep the limits of modesty; crossing the limits brings about many calamities. Why, the very glory of womanhood will be destroyed. Without modesty, woman is devoid of beauty and culture. Humility, purity of thought and manners, meekness, surrender to high ideals, sensitivity, sweetness of temper, the particular blend of all these qualities is modesty. It is the most invaluable of all jewels for women.

Through her innate sense of propriety, the modest woman will ever keep within limits. She becomes automatically aware which behaviour is proper and which is improper. She will stick only to virtuous deeds and behaviour. Modesty is the test of a woman’s grandeur.

A woman without modesty injures the interests of womanhood itself, besides undermining her own personality. She is like a fragrance less power, which the world does not cherish or honor, or even approve of. 

The absence of modesty makes life, for a woman, however rich in other accomplishments, a waste and a vacuum. Modesty lifts her to the heights of sublime holiness. The modest woman wields authority in the home and outside, in the community as well as in the world.

Some might interrupt and ask, “But women who have swallowed all the compunctions of modesty are being honoured today! They strut about with heads erect, and the world honours them not a whit less.” 

I have no need to acquaint myself with these activities of the present-day world. I do not concern myself with them. They may receive honour and respect of a sort, but the respect is not authorized or deserved. When honor is offered to the undeserving, it is tantamount to insult; to accept it when offered is to demean the very gift. It is not honour but flattery that is cast on the immodest by the selfish and the greedy. It is like spittle, dirty and unpleasant.

Of course, the modest woman will not crave honour or praise. Her attention will always be on the limits that she should not transgress. Honour and praise come to her unasked and unnoticed. The honey in the flower or lotus does not crave bees; it does not plead with the bees to come. Since the bees have tasted the sweetness, they themselves search for the flowers and rush in. They come because of the attachment between themselves and sweetness. So, too, is the relationship between the woman who knows the limits and the respect she evokes.

The principle of Atmic dharma will not allow the term “woman” to be applied to “a woman without modesty”. 

Author's note

While Swami has been unconditional in prescribing the 2 qualities of woman, irrespective of her status / her present day duties / her place in society / work place etc., it is enough if a woman (or any one) subjects all her duties / dharma / actions, to ONE SINGLE MOST DHARMA - THE DHARMA OF REALIZING GOD.

Whether it is 21st or 30th or 50th century, if this one ATMA DHARMA is followed by any human being, all other qualities, even modesty, chastity prescribed by Bhagavan, fall in place spontaneously and automatically, without  having to go through all prescribed duties of a woman / man, a wife / a husband etc.

Like a Gulab Jamun soaked in the essence of the sugar essence at surface level and the inner level even while the entire piece gets into one's  mouth, if one is immersed in the  ESSENCE of GOD REALIZATION, such a human being is filled within and without with the sweet essence of GOD CONSCIOUSNESS and all his actions automatically are soaked with the sweet essence of God!!!!

LOVE.