Text 41]
The Movements of the Living Entities
1357
PURPORT
Sometimes it happens that a rejected well is covered by grass, and an unwary traveler who does not know of the existence of the well falls down, and his death is assured. Similarly, association with a woman begins when one accepts service from her because woman is especially created by the Lord to give service to man. By accepting her service, a man is entrapped. If he is not intelligent enough to know that she is the gateway to hellish life, he may indulge in her association very liberally. This is restricted for those who aspire to ascend to the transcendental platform. Even fifty years ago in Hindu society, such association was restricted. A wife could not see her husband during the daytime. Householders even had different residential quarters. The internal quarters of a residential house were for the woman, and the external quarters were for the man. Acceptance of service rendered by a woman may appear to be very pleasing, but one should be very cautious in accepting such service because it is clearly said that woman is the gateway to death, or forgetfulness of one's self. She blocks the path of spiritual realization.
TEXT 41
यां मन्यते पति मोहन्मन्मायामृषभायतीम् । स्त्रीत्वं स्त्रीसङ्गतः प्राप्तो वित्तापत्यगृहप्रदम् ॥४१॥
yām manyate patim mohān man-māyām ṛṣabhāyatīm strītvam strī-saṅgataḥ prāpto vittāpatya-gṛha-pradam
yām—which; manyate—she thinks; patim—her husband; mohāt—due to illusion; mat-māyām—My māyā; ṛṣabha—in the form of a man; āyatīm—coming; strītvam—the state of being a woman; strī-saṅgataḥ—from attachment to a woman; prāptaḥ—obtained; vitta—wealth; apatya—progeny; gṛha—house; pradam—bestowing.
TRANSLATION
A living entity who, as a result of attachment to a woman in his previous life, has been endowed with the form of a woman, foolishly looks upon māyā in the form of a man, her husband, as the bestower of wealth, progeny, house and other material assets.