Ashraya Vaishnavi Forum

The qualities of a chaste woman have been elaborated in Srimad Bhagavatam; however, we all know that our modern education system has somehow failed to inculcate such qualities in our children.  The natures of a male and female are different and yet the same education is given to both which is leading to a confused generation.  It has been stated in verse 40 of chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita that the chastity and devotion of a woman will give birth to a good population eligible for participating in the varṇāśrama system.  Furthermore, Srimad Bhagavatam describes the qualities of many such chaste Vedic Vaishnavis, one exemplary example being Mother Devhuti who was a real “dharma-patni”, she followed the religious principles of being a wife, peaceful, and is free of envy, thus gaining the title of ‘sarva-guna-sampanna’ or bedecked with the ornaments of various good qualities. 

A mother is considered to be the first Guru of a child and if she herself lacks the qualities described in Shastras for a woman, how will she give the right values to her children?  We expect our children to be “all perfect” – respect elders, be patient and kind, get up early and the list is probably infinite but the question is, are we perfect ourselves?  The term Chastity means “purity” but in actuality it means “following the duties of a woman as described in the Shastras”.  It is therefore very important that a woman knows the word of the shastras.  

We at Ashraya Vaishnavi Forum aim to focus on spiritual values of our young Vaishnavis along with the school education thus creating not just successful women at work but also Vedic mothers and wives abiding by the scriptures leading to a happier and more peaceful society.  The Vaishnavis are given values from great scriptures like Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and are encouraged to share their daily routine charts which comprises of number of school study hours along with the time spent in devotional activities, helping their parents/grandparents, devotional reading and chanting etc.

In the last couple of months, Ashray Vaishnavi Forum has organized various activities to inculcate Vedic women qualities in young Vaishnavis, few such workshops being stitching clothes for the deities, garland making etc.  The young Vaishnavis also participated in the Shobha Yatra on the most auspicious occasion of Gaur Purnima and did ecstatic kirtan for the pleasure of Gaura Nitai.  A spiritual picnic was organized which was enjoyed by almost 35 Vaishnavis at Jagannath Temple in Haus Khas.  

We will be planning many such activities in the near future and encourage that if you have a daughter who is aged between 12 to 22, please give us a chance to make a change in the lives of your dear daughters.  

The inspiration behind this initiative is HG Sarvapriya Prabhuji who has dedicated his life to fulfil the mission of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  It is under his valuable guidance the Ashraya Vaishnavi Forum is being operated.  HG Sarvapriya Prabhuji is an initiated disciple of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj and has been a part of ISKCON for more than two decades and is managing various Ashraya preaching centres across New Delhi.  

We seek the blessings of all the Vaishnavas to bless us in spreading the Vedic knowledge to all the Vaishnavis across the world.