By Brahma prabhu – http://www.swami.org/sanga

Question:      I have just read two reviews of Tripurari Swami's Bhagavad-Gita on VNN and its great that you are getting such acclaim for it.

You may know that in the current issue of Yoga Journal (July/August 2002), there is an article called, The Feminine Critique which discusses sexism in the Bhagavad-Gita-- written by men--expressly for Brahmins and kings whose then-duty required that they learn scripture whereas, a woman's duty, regardless of caste was to tend to her family.

The conclusion of the article is that the Gita offers an extremely male, militaristic and sexist approach to dealing with problems. And as a woman-form devotee I have come to the same realization-- because when we keep reading and hearing the word "he," it becomes very difficult for us to wade through the metaphors to find the "universal" message of the Gita because it doesn't directly speak to us.

And of course Sri Krsna spoke the Gita for everyone!!

What is your response to this and to sexist, male-only spiritual hierarchies like Iskcon?

Answer:      Dear *****,

When you read Gita keep in mind that although the message is couched in a cultural setting that is heavily male dominated Gita is actually speaking to the soul who is neither he nor she. A person who thinks of oneself as he or she has yet to fully grasp the important initial message of the Gita as related in the second chapter. That message is the soul is non-material and beyond designations. This is related over and over again in Bhagavad Gita.

Bhagavad Gita (9.33) also tells us that women or anyone in that culture or any culture who is considered less qualified can attain the transcendental goal regardless of their social status.

In his commentary to this verse Swami Tripurari writes:

"Women are mentioned in this verse because of the social impediment to their study of the Vedas in times gone by, as well as the fact that a women's birth can subject one to the kind of discrimination they have suffered from over the centuries."

Enjoyment and suffering are the result of our karma regardless of the how or why of our experiences. Krishna in Bhagavad Gita advises us to view our karma in a consciousness that is removed from the ups and downs of our karmic reality. This is the vision of a sadaka who is attempting to overcome obstacles and progress toward realization of her spiritual identity.

Best wishes,
Brahma Das