I am grateful to all the Vaishnavis (devotee ladies) who came before my generation and paved the way for us to serve Krishna according to our natures. It is because of their struggles and sacrifices that I grew up having the opportunity to lead kirtan, play mridanga, and give lectures. As a young girl, I heard firsthand accounts of how Srila Prabhupada’s female disciples steadily served their spiritual master amidst circumstances that were often discouraging. It saddened me to hear how these Vaishnavis, to whom I turned for guidance and wisdom, had been dismissed due to bodily conceptions. Their steady service under such circumstances is a powerful testimony to their spiritual strength and depth of devotion.
I envision a future for ISKCON where every Vaishnavi is valued and respected. Communities will seek out the women’s wisdom and perspective on important issues. Vaishnavis will be recognized as spiritual leaders, mentors, educators, and speakers. Every woman will feel inspired and supported in serving Krishna according to her propensity, per Krishna’s instructions in Bhagavad-gita (3.35), whether that entails running a center, giving class, raising children, or any number of other services. The men in our Movement will be concerned about the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of the women. During Srimad-Bhagavatam lectures, the feminine pronoun will also be used so that young girls growing up in the Society will know that they too can be devotees of Krishna. Men will appreciate and support the kirtans led by Vaishnavis and encourage their daughters to learn to play the mridanga and other musical instruments. Temples will have instruments on both sides of the room so that anyone musically inclined may participate. Men and women will take turns being first to recite Srimad-Bhagavatam verses and to receive maha during arati. Devotees will speak up when they see women being treated disrespectfully. The men will acknowledge and empathize with the struggles that women have gone through in ISKCON and work toward reformation. In this vision for the future, Vaishnavis are not treated as second-class citizens, rather as spirit souls, part-and-parcel of Krishna and invaluable members of our Society.
The vision I describe above is not merely abstract; certain ISKCON communities, centers, and leaders already embibe it. For example, I grew up in New Goloka, North Carolina, where Bir Krishna Goswami encouraged all the gurukulis to lead kirtan. Then when I was in my twenties, I had the opportunity to live for several years at the Krishna House in Gainesville, Florida, where I observed how, under the guidance of Kalakantha Prabhu, all ashrama residents and newcomers are treated with equal respect and care. Regardless of gender, devotees are given equal opportunity and encouragement to lead kirtan, give lectures, and take on various services according to their natures.
Dear Vaishnavis, let us come together and support each other on our spiritual journeys. We can encourage each other by not instinctively declining when someone invites us to give a lecture, write an article, lead a kirtan, or take on another service outside of our comfort zone. Together we can find the courage to use our voices in glorification of Krishna and His devotees and encourage others to do the same.
