The Position and Protection of a Widow
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Vedic civilization outlines very specific duties, protections, and standards of behavior for widows. Rather than leaving a widow to face the world independently and unprotected, the traditional system ensures she is sheltered by her family or the state, allowing her to live a life of purity and austerity. By understanding his teachings on this subject, we learn the importance of social protection, the deep chastity of Vedic women, and the supreme shelter offered by Lord Kṛṣṇa to those who are helpless.
The Standard of Chastity
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently notes the profound level of dedication expected of a wife in ancient Vedic culture. Formerly, the bond was so absolute that a chaste wife would voluntarily follow her husband in death. In the modern age, while this practice is no longer followed, a widow is still expected to observe strict principles of austerity and remain devoted to the memory of her husband throughout her life.
- A faithful wife cannot live without her lord, the husband, and therefore all widows used to voluntarily embrace the burning fire which consumed the dead husband.
- Later on, with the advent of the age of Kali, the wives gradually began to be less adherent to their husbands, and the voluntary embrace of the fire by the widows became a thing of the past.
- Indeed, divorce has now become a common affair, although formerly one's marriage would continue lifelong, and the affection between husband and wife was so great that the wife would voluntarily die when her husband died or remain widow throughout entire life.
- Even today in India, widows or women whose husbands have taken sannyasa follow the principles of austerity, even though they live with their children.
The Definition of a Widow
Interestingly, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that according to strict Vedic definitions, a woman whose husband has passed away is not necessarily considered a widow if she has a grown son. The son is seen as the direct representative and expansion of the father's body. Therefore, the presence of a responsible son means the mother is still under the active protection of her husband's lineage.
- It is said in the Vedic scriptures, atmaiva putro jayate: the husband's body is represented by the son. Strictly speaking, a woman is never widowed if she has a grown son.
- It is said that the father himself becomes the son in another form. The father and son are therefore considered to be nondifferent. A widow who has her son is actually not a widow, because she has the representative of her husband.
- So according to Vedic culture, if one woman has got son, she is not considered to be widow. Widow means one who hasn't got husband or husband is dead. So if the husband's representative is there, so, strictly speaking, she is not widow.
- A widow is a widow only in name if there is a son of her husband existing.
The Necessity of Protection
A core tenet of Vedic society is that women are never meant to be fully independent. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes that if a widow does not have a grown son to protect her, she must return to the shelter of her father. If family protection fails, it is the absolute duty of a righteous king or government to provide special care and maintenance for the widows of the state.
- Upon Kamsa's death, his two wives became widows. According to Vedic civilization, a woman is never independent.
- If she (a woman) has no grown-up sons she must go back to her father and live as a widow under his protection. It appears that Kamsa had no grown-up sons. Therefore, after his wives became widows they returned to the shelter of their father.
- The king would give special protection to illiterates, the helpless and widows of the state. Defense measures were arranged previous to any attack by the enemies.
- Anyone who cannot collect money, they should go to Mayapur and live there and simply eat and sleep, like women and widows. I shall arrange for their eating and sleeping.
The Agony of Kuntīdevī
To illustrate the hardships of widowhood, Śrīla Prabhupāda often references the life of Queen Kuntīdevī. Left to raise five young sons in a politically hostile environment after the early death of Mahārāja Pāṇḍu, she endured immense suffering. However, her vulnerable position as an unprotected widow attracted the special, loving protection of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who always favors His helpless devotees.
- The sufferings of Kuntidevi are doubly lamented. She suffered greatly because of early widowhood and to get her minor children brought up in the royal family.
- In the absence of such a husband (as Maharaja Pandu), it was almost impossible for Kunti to live on even as a widow, but she had to do it for the sake of the five children.
- Due to Pandu's death at an early age his minor children & widow were the object of special care by all the elderly members of the family especially Bhismadeva and Mahatma Vidura. He was more or less partial to the Pandavas due to their political position.
- This (Kuntidevi was shown far more favor) was done because Devaki's husband, Vasudeva, was living, whereas Kuntidevi was a widow, and there was none to help her except Krsna.
The Aftermath of War
One of the great tragedies of war is the mass creation of widows. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Arjuna's valid concern on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra: when men are killed, women are left unprotected. This lack of protection inevitably leads to the exploitation of women and the subsequent rise of an unwanted, irreligious population known as varṇa-saṅkara, which destroys the peace of society.
- After the Battle of Kuruksetra, after all the sons and grandsons of Dhrtarastra died in battle, all the wives of the family were obliged to loosen their hair as widows.
- When the male members are killed, the female members become widow, and they, their character becomes polluted. So many things Krsna will speak about this family life.
- He (Arjuna) argued, - No, no. If I fight, my people will die, and their wives will become widow, and they will be adulterated, and then, by adulteration, unwanted population will increase, and who will offer sraddha.
- That is Vedic culture, to create responsible man, not varna-sankara. Therefore Arjuna was very much afraid that - After war the women will be widows. They will be polluted, and varna-sankara population will come out.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it clear that the Vedic system provides a holistic framework for the life of a widow, emphasizing protection, purity, and spiritual elevation. By remaining under the shelter of her family, her grown children, or the state, a widow avoids the dangers of exploitation and helps prevent the degradation of society into varṇa-saṅkara. Through austerity and unwavering devotion, as exemplified by great personalities like Kuntīdevī, a widow transforms her difficult material circumstance into an opportunity to attract the supreme mercy and eternal protection of the Supreme Lord.
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 Widow. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.