Back in secondary school at KV - Syllabus A, we had a poem called Yashodhara ka Vilaap (forgive any speling mistakes) - about which I remember the feeling expressed than any of the lines.
It was a beautiful poetry about this character called Yashodara who is none othr than Buddha's very own wife queen; about her sorrow that her beloved left her and their only son in search of "enlightenment".
It was a poem that touched me deeply. I couldn't find it onilne right now (though I would like that very much), else I would share here.
So just imagine a rich king, abandons his wife and young child, goes off in the search of some peace or knowledge or God, however one may interpret - all vey noble and grea on his part but what about his wife and child.
In the case of Rama, he abandons his wife (and unborn child(ren) as it turns out), for keeping with the thoughts of his people and upholding so called "King's duties to his people".
Now let us pause and see what is expected of these women or rather what do they end up doing? Worship their beloved husbands; Not giving in to their personal feelings and respecting them still. And th worst part is - these apparently, not out of any compulsion...
They may be big hearted, but I am not. I do not think the same would have happened if the roles were reversed...
Thes husbands respecting their wives, understanding the causes that led them to act like that if they did much less worship them...!? Nien! I do not know what is root cause - society, chauvenism, inert human nature... Whatever it may be, I do not know nor want to get into those...
Well, am I happy to be in this century of modern household and understanding and Gamma men...?! Yeah Baby, definitely. :)
I know even now they would not really apprecate if I left my house/family/"responsibilities" and went in search of "enlightenment" but atleast they are adjusting enough and understanding enough when need arises for an onsite... :)
It was a beautiful poetry about this character called Yashodara who is none othr than Buddha's very own wife queen; about her sorrow that her beloved left her and their only son in search of "enlightenment".
It was a poem that touched me deeply. I couldn't find it onilne right now (though I would like that very much), else I would share here.
So just imagine a rich king, abandons his wife and young child, goes off in the search of some peace or knowledge or God, however one may interpret - all vey noble and grea on his part but what about his wife and child.
In the case of Rama, he abandons his wife (and unborn child(ren) as it turns out), for keeping with the thoughts of his people and upholding so called "King's duties to his people".
Now let us pause and see what is expected of these women or rather what do they end up doing? Worship their beloved husbands; Not giving in to their personal feelings and respecting them still. And th worst part is - these apparently, not out of any compulsion...
They may be big hearted, but I am not. I do not think the same would have happened if the roles were reversed...
Thes husbands respecting their wives, understanding the causes that led them to act like that if they did much less worship them...!? Nien! I do not know what is root cause - society, chauvenism, inert human nature... Whatever it may be, I do not know nor want to get into those...
Well, am I happy to be in this century of modern household and understanding and Gamma men...?! Yeah Baby, definitely. :)
I know even now they would not really apprecate if I left my house/family/"responsibilities" and went in search of "enlightenment" but atleast they are adjusting enough and understanding enough when need arises for an onsite... :)