Sathya Upanishad - Pt. 12

Man or Woman?

Q12: Swami!  Please enlighten us as to who is greater in the creation - man or woman?

A: It is reiterated in the Bhagavadgita that Man was given three powers while woman was bestowed with seven.  Thus woman is on a higher plane.  The word "Stree" (sanksrit word for woman) comprises three letters - Sa, Ta, Ra.  Sa stands for "Sawika" (gentleness).  Ta denotes Tamasic or beastly qualities such as passion and connotes Rajasic or proud demeanour - all the three together form the Trigunas or the three qualities of a human form "Stree" or the woman as the embodiment of all these qualities.  The Satwik qualities are represented by endurance, calmness and patience which are but natural for a woman.  The Rajasic nature is reflected in her readiness to sacrifice herself for the sake of her husband and children.  Shyness, modest and bashfulness are again the monopoly of woman.  Hence, the woman is on a higher plane that man.

(Swami had a College for Women built at Anantapur with the idea of endowing society with ideal mothers).  Women should be trained to become ideal mothers who in turn will beget and nurture ideal offspring.  In spite of possible heartburn for the men folk, it should be accepted that women have rightly been given several titles such as "Grihalakshmi"", the Goddess of prosperity of the house; "Sahadharmacharini", the person who supports, encourages and keeps company with the husband in the execution of his duties.

(To be continued)

(From the book "Divine Directions" by Prof. K. Anil Kumar)