Originally Posted by
Viraja
I enjoyed both your replies very much.
@Markandeya ji: You have precisely started in the direction I want to learn more about. That is, stating the differences between male and female mental make-up. More I will add in the end.
Yes, you are correct in saying that while men have their own vices, women have their own in other ways. But what I am trying to ask, is regarding, whether Hinduism offers as guidelines, activities that are 'specific' to each of men and women, so that spiritual ascension is 'easier' for them... activities attuned to 'unique' needs..
I thoroughly enjoyed your parallel between bhakti and jnana, they vibe well with my own views.
But coming to the main point, I see your emphasis on guru... it had not dawned on me while writing the OP. Yes, it is a great point indeed. I enjoyed your profound statement, "All beings are equal in suffering or dukkha when right view is gained, the fool maybe happy in his concocted idea of happiness but its built upon the foundations of sinking sand".
@Anirudh ji:
In your opening, you have stated there is no male and female distinction between athma. Infact, it is stated the athma is non-different from the very paramatma (except for factors like omnipresence, etc). But when the athma 'materializes' in a body, the body becomes its receptacle and the medium through which the manas will be tamed to realize the potential of the athma. And the body or the 'medium' thus, can be either male with his unique mental-makeup and karmas. Or the female with her unique temperament or karmas.
A really great, great example - the varnashrama dharma. I believe there is really some truth about it, although we might need to weed out false notions in it like we rejected the 'sati' system, untouchability, etc. But overall, activities prescribed for different varnas for their quicker redemption is something along the line of what I am trying to ask here. (Pl note, I am not talking about the varna from 'birth order' here, the varna I am talking about is 'mental makeup').
If some activities are prescribed uniquely to each varna, on a similar vein, what activities would be appropriate for each of the genders?
Male: Has more intellectual stamina/energy, is not too sentimental, is not too bothered about looks (especially as age progresses), but obsessed with power/money more than a woman, prefers the brain over the heart, etc.
Female: Is emotional, sentimental, craves friends, followers, relatives, somewhat bothered about the 'looks' factor, has potentially lesser intellectual energy for sustained focus... etc.
Given the above, what is the 'prescription' for a female?
I enjoyed your focus on Sri Vishnu Sahasranama. Kindly add all that you see that could benefit this topic from this profound sloka, now or later.
Thanks.
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