Letter No. 9
To, Sudhi Ranjan Seth:
Wife is not a plaything. Her name is Sahadharmini; females are true representatives of Lakshmi. Slighting them in any way, one is apt to lose one’s good luck. They are the life of the universe and the receptacles of Bhakti and Prema. Ill-used, they present their hideous aspect, as dreadful Kali, Pishachis, and Rakshasis, and destroy all. Loose women reflect their all-destroying form in miniature. In the vast ocean-like fair sex, precious gems are to be found. Clever men of refined tastes, fishing up such gems, ever spend their days in contentment; while weak and despicable men, blinded and excited with passion, plunge into the ocean only to efface their existence in no time; deal with great caution, with this awful force. Never look at females with eyes of passion. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadeva are combined in a female. To insult a female, is to covet instant destruction. History, ancient and modern, will show this to you. Draupadi’s disgrace was the cause of the destruction of the Kauravas. Sita’s dishonour culminated in the total annihilation of the race of Rakshasas. Helen’s disgrace brought about Troy’s ruin; and the indignities offered to Sarojini, ended the reign of the Mohammedans in India. Such glaring instances can be had in almost every house. Where females are not honoured, peace and contentment quickly depart there from. Do not be deceived by taking your wife for a toy. Do not train your wife in the fashion of Europeans or Brahmas. In a Hindu family, a Hindu wife is an object of endearment. Fidelity to husband is a female’s beauty. It matters not at all, if her features are handsome or not; she must be full of good qualities, she must be implicitly obedient to mother and other elders, and a helpmate to her husband, through good and evil. Such a one is the wife. Lots of wives can be had pleasant to the eyes, but it is hard to get wives after the heart.
***********
****SOURCE – From the book : “PAGAL HARANATH LETTERS (Abridged)” by Sri Haragopal Sepuri [Sri Kusuma Haranath Central Mission, Ganesh Nagar, Selaiyur, Chennai – 600 073]
