Page 90 - SocialHarmony

94 Social Harmony

Even today, the stories of Mother Vidula are inspirations
in themselves.

Muhurt jwalitam shreyah n cha dhumachitam chiram.
(One opportunity to ignite like a flame is better than a
lifetime of throwing smoke).
Before you get influenced by the stories of women’s
liberation in Western countries, take a moment to hear about
our own ancient times.
A description of Surya Savitri in the Rigveda goes like this:
The illuminating morning sun welcomes her. She carries a
Ved Mantra in her hand and her eyes sparkle with the
adornment of knowledge. The most learned scholars are her
priests. The sun and its sunshine share a bed of freedom.
This was the perfect interpretation of equal freedom for
men and women that had been conceptualized in India, to a
level where no modern-day laws have been able to reach.
In such a context, can you not take up the mantle of
responsibility to improve our current social situation? On the
occasion of Rakshabandhan, I would like to remind you that the
Bhagvad Gita talks about the fearlessness of women (abhayam).
It is the need of the time that the Indian woman adopts this
fearlessness as the true teaching of the Gita. We have always
respected woman for her innate power, in her various forms,
be it Goddess Durga, Sati Sita or Draupadi. It is this power that
has supported society right from Vedic times to the era of
Vivekananda, to our independence struggle. I am sure you are
aware of the self-abandonment of the wife of Panini, the creator
of grammar. I am sure you recall the sacrifice of Urmila, who
bore the pain of separation from her husband Lakshman. You
belong to the same tradition of power, where Vakpushta’s
prayers resulted in a rain of food and saved the people and
king of Kashmir from certain death.
If you will but listen, you can hear the tenor of the sword of
Ranibai, Queen of King Dahir of Sindh, who defended her land
from Muslim attacks with a small army of women. Recollect
the struggles of Rani Lakshmibai, Queen of Jhansi or Queen
Durgavati of Gadhmandala, and you will realize that each of
these women are forms of yourself. Every woman is a mother,
who has within her the capability of Mata Jijabai, who inspired