Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples on the Spiritual Engagement of Girls
The spiritual path transcends all bodily designations, offering the supreme destination to anyone who sincerely takes to devotional service. Through his extensive correspondence, Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly balanced traditional Vedic protection with the dynamic engagement of his female disciples, empowering them to become powerful instruments in spreading the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
The Spiritual Equality of the Soul
According to the philosophy of Bhagavad-gītā, the living entity is an eternal spirit soul, completely separate from the temporary material body. Because devotional service is a function of the soul, there is absolutely no difference between male and female practitioners on the spiritual platform. Recognizing their immense sacrifice and dedication, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently affirmed that his female disciples were extraordinary souls, perfectly capable of achieving the ultimate goal of going back to Godhead.
- Since both the boys and the girls are being trained to become preachers, those girls are not ordinary girls but are as good as their brothers who are preaching Krsna consciousness.
- All my students and followers in Europe and America, they are ninety-nine percent all young men, young girls. They are not old, rejected persons. They are the flowers of the country.
- Their (our boys and girls) position in life is very secure and sound because they are going back to home, back to Godhead, without any doubt. Though they may be dressed in rags, still they are more exalted than kings.
- These boys and girls although their father are atheist by nature they have come out very theist, high class God conscious students.
- Devotional service means to apply one's energy in the service of Krishna. That is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. You know that all our girl disciples are applying their energy in the service of Krishna.
Preaching and Temple Responsibilities
The rapid global expansion of the movement required the dedicated efforts of every sincere follower, regardless of their gender. Rather than restricting his female disciples from the forefront of the mission, Śrīla Prabhupāda actively empowered them to distribute literature, manage temples, and worship the Deities. By utilizing their unique talents in these vital bhakti activities, they proved themselves to be essential pillars in the establishment of the society.
- I am proud that a little young girl like you is so much spirited in preaching Krsna consciousness.
- I am so proud of her, that even my girl disciples are so nice for preaching work.
- I am very pleased to hear that you are distributing many of my books, especially Krsna Book. You are a very sincere girl.
- This girl in front of you, Srimati Yamuna devi, she and her husband Gurudasa are in charge of the temple; but because I have come to India, they are assisting me.
- Yes, if you feel that she is qualified, the girl Carol may receive Gayatri initiation also so that she can take up pujari business full time.
Traditional Training and Household Duties
While engaging in active preaching, it is equally important to maintain the practical foundation of a peaceful and functional spiritual community. To ensure the physical and spiritual health of the society, female devotees were highly encouraged to become expert in traditional domestic arts. By mastering the ability to cook wonderful prasāda, maintain clean temple environments, and carefully raise children, they provided an indispensable service that sustained the entire mission.
- Girls should be taught how to become faithful wife, how to learn nice cooking, cleansing, dressing. Simple method. There is no objection of their becoming scholar, but that is not necessary.
- Girls who are living in New Vrindaban should be engaged in the following activities; 1) taking care of the children, 2) cleaning the temple, kitchen, etc. 3) cooking, and 4) churning butter.
- I wanted that all our girls, they should be expert. And in America they are doing that. They should learn the art of cooking and prepare very nice foodstuffs, daily change of menu.
- From your description the girl seems very qualified and sincere, so you continue to train her in our Krsna conscious way of life and she will work together with you as your helpmate in Krsna's service.
The Purpose and Regulations of Marriage
Entering the gṛhastha order is meant to facilitate a peaceful life of regulated spiritual progress, not to provide a license for unhindered sense gratification. Recognizing the natural social dynamics in the West, Śrīla Prabhupāda personally arranged and encouraged marriages among his disciples to protect them from illicit desires. By adhering to guidelines regarding age, maturity, and financial responsibility, these unions became powerful partnerships entirely dedicated to the service of Kṛṣṇa.
- We select girl, say, about 16, 17 years old, and boys not more than 24 years old. I get them married. You see? And because their attention is diverted to Krsna consciousness, they have very little interest simply for sex life.
- According to Vedic system, girls 16 years and boys 25, they should be married. There must be difference of age 8 to 10 years. That is nice. And before that none of them should have sex life.
- If anyone wants to marry, first of all he must show that he has some earning capacity. Not that "Because there are so many girls, and I marry one to satisfy my senses..."
- Unless our Brahmacaris are very adamant remaining as Brahmacari, I shall recommend everyone to marry. Because these girls generally come to our society to find out a suitable husband, so there is no harm to live as husband and wife.
- Regarding your marriage, I have no objection, but if you accept a girl for marriage she should be younger than you. At least she should not exceed your age.
Protecting the Girls from Material Illusion
The material energy, known as māyā, is incredibly powerful and constantly seeks to exploit the vulnerabilities of the conditioned living entities. Because female devotees often face unique challenges and dangers in the material world, it is the strict duty of the society to provide them with complete physical and spiritual protection. To maintain a pure atmosphere, Śrīla Prabhupāda established clear boundaries regarding free mixing and instructed all men to view the women strictly as mothers and sisters.
- Mrinalini, Jadurani and all other girls who are so qualified, good-looking, intelligent, educated and seriously engaged in Krsna consciousness, should always be given protection from the attack of maya.
- Please guide your innocent God-sisters who have come to our shelter. Girls are more susceptible to the finer attack of maya. Boys are a little stronger in getting out of the intricacies of maya.
- Any god-brother's wife or any unmarried girl in our society should be always treated as mother and sister. Any married woman should be treated as mother.
- Especially in India, there is no brahmacarini. But here, in your country (America), the boys and girls mix very freely, but just to restrict such free mixing, we think that the unmarried girls should remain separately. That is the contemplation.
Cultivating Intelligence and Devotion
True intelligence is measured by one's ability to understand the spiritual science and apply it in daily life. Rather than suppressing their natural abilities, the spiritual process encourages devotees to utilize all of their talents, artistic skills, and intellectual capacities for the glorification of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently expressed deep appreciation for the exceptional intelligence and sincere devotion exhibited by his female followers, continually inspiring them to reach higher levels of spiritual realization.
- He is intelligent, but Nandarani is still more intelligent. (laughs) I know that. Both of them are intelligent, but this girl appears to be more intelligent. That's all right.
- I have read the headline prayer. It is nicely written, correctly spelled, which shows that you are a very intelligent girl and you can use your talent and intelligence for serving the Lord.
- You are a very sincere girl and that is the first qualification for developing love for Krishna. Now increase that sincerity more by engaging yourself whole-heartedly and with great enthusiasm for serving Krishna and love of Godhead will fructify.
- I always remember you as the nicest girl because you are so devoutly engaged in the service of Krishna.
Finding Ultimate Shelter in Kṛṣṇa
Beyond all external social arrangements and temple duties, the ultimate perfection of life is to awaken one's eternal, dormant love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Acting as a perfect spiritual father, Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly redirected the attention of his disciples away from material dependencies and toward the lotus feet of the Lord. By fixing their minds entirely on Kṛṣṇa, the female devotees were assured of finding the supreme protector and their true spiritual husband.
- So far remembering me and Krishna, it should be simultaneous. I am your Spiritual Father, and Krishna is your Spiritual Husband. A girl can never forget either her father or her husband.
- It is very good news that the girl Haridasi is dreaming about Krishna, and Krishna is playing with her; it is very much encouraging. It means she will come out a great and successful devotee of Krishna when she is grown up and young.
- You have asked me something for which it is difficult to answer from such a distant place. You are grown up girl you should rather decide what to do. Fix up your mind always in Krishna and He will give you good counsel.
- You are very good girl, because I have heard you chanting while working. It is very good and may Krishna give you more and more enlightenment. I always pray that you may be happy by our Lord's Grace.
Conclusion
The spiritual advancement of the female disciples is a testament to the absolute and non-sectarian nature of pure devotional service. By expertly engaging them in preaching, Deity worship, and vital household responsibilities, Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrated how every individual can be perfectly situated in spiritual life. Through his careful guidance and boundless affection, these sincere girls were given the ultimate shelter, proving that anyone who fully dedicates their life to Kṛṣṇa is guaranteed to return back to Godhead.
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 Our Girls (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.