SKS Swaminarayan Shikshapatri Slok 34

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SKS Swaminarayan Shikshapatri Slok 34
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Main Text

• My male disciples shall never listen to the
  religious discourses given by females, nor enter
  into arguments with females, rulers and
  courtiers.

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Religious Discourses

• Males shouldnt listen to discourses given by
  females
• Females should preach to females only
• Gnaan Varta covers katha and kirtan
• Segregation of the sexes Where did it all
  start?
• But Why? .

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Reasons

• Man becomes deluded, weak and obsessed at times
  of association with women. (Bhagwat)
• Just as a stone sinks when thrown into a river,
  a man is sure to sink into ruin in the company of
  women. (Vidurniti)
• Mind and thought will remain pure as long as
  lustful thoughts of women are not able to enter a
  mans mind. (Rasgangadhar)
• She is able to entice even the purest and wilful
  of men and reduce them to foolishness. (Bhagwat)

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Enter Into Disputes

• Forbids Vivaad with females, rulers (Kings) and
  courtiers
• Vivaad is a dispute or quarrel Virudhvaad is
  unnecessary talks or discussions (both should be
  refrained from)
• Why should we not argue with females?
• Lord Mahadev points out seven bad qualities that
  women possess, which man can acquire through
  needless association with such women

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The Bad Qualities

• Anrutam - untruthfulness
• Sahasam - rashness
• Maya - materialistic
• Murkhatvamati - foolishness
• Lobhitam - selfishness
• Asaucham - impure
• Nirdaitvam - cruel

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Kings and Others

• One should not speak unnecessarily in a fit of
  anger with a woman, a King, a Kings associate, a
  sustainer (such as an employer), a Satsangi, an
  elder (includes parents), a child, the ill, a
  Guru, an Acharya and those who are learned such
  as doctors.
• Most of these people are to be always respected
  and never to be insulted by falling into useless
  or unnecessary arguments or discussions with
• But why a King/Kings associates, a sustainer, a
  child, the ill or a doctor???

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Discussion

• Do you think women are looked down upon in our
  Sampraday?
• Provide evidence/examples to support your argument

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Conclusions

• The Lord has not forbid women from becoming
  educated and the learning of Vedantic Gnaan, nor
  from preaching about God
• This is encouraged in our Sampraday but on the
  proviso that they preach only to other women
• Institution of Acharyas Wives to preach to and
  initiate women. Also Sankhya Yogis to preach to
  women and indeed handle all religious affairs of
  womens temples
• Segregation for focus and protection of our
  Dharma
• Example of great Rishis who have fallen due to
  association with women