Acharya Tulsi
No one is unaware of how much the womankind, representing half the world is neglected, exploited and afflicted. In the patriarchal society, the woman always lives the life that gives her the secondary status. The woman has been treated as a subject of controversy in all countries, developed as well as developing. Whether in social organisation or political system, professional field or educational avenue, family, Panchayat or religious forum, with a few exceptions, the woman's capabilities have not been properly evaluated and are not properly utilised. I have naturally a high opinion of women in my mind. If their power is well established, the family and the society can find a new awareness.
The woman has been considered an embodiment of creation. In my view, she can also act as an explosive factor for destruction. Creation of good sanskaras and destruction of evil feelings cannot be brought about by law and legislation, or by arousing fear, or by the exercise of the power to punish. There have been many laws which though impressive, have been little effective. The weapon of fear can work on the children with undeveloped minds. Otherwise it gets blunted. Power to punish can be effective once. In the absence of change in the atmosphere, the blows of punishment are also ineffective. In this situation, it is possible to discuss the results of putting the woman's power to use.
The woman has mainly three forms—Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity), Saraswati (the goddess of learning) and Durga (the goddess of power). She can take the form of Lakshmi while inculcating sanskaras in the family. While educating the children, she can take the form of Saraswati and for destroying the evils she can play the role of Durga, riding the lion. All that is expected is that regarding all her forms as useful, they are well utilised.
The forum of anuvrat has given a platform to women for doing social work. Their bravery courage and understanding have been known on innumerable occasions. But their range is limited. Unless they are not provided a wide field to operate, how would their achievements come to be realised? Women have two alternatives before them at present-joining the blind race of modernity or utilise their power to create good sanskaras and to destroy bad sanskaras. The first way is in the interest neither of woman nor of the society. If they wish to utilise their power for higher purpose, they would have to opt for the latter alternative.
Life free from addictions has been considered ideal in Indian culture. Alcoholism has been a dreadful addiction for thousands of years. Many movements and campaigns have been carried out to root out the addictions but they have not been successful. If only the woman's Durga form would come to the forefront and a struggle would be launched against liquor consumption! If only she could become like a turbulent river and she could sweep away in its current all the filth in the form of evils!
Women in some regions have succeeded in showing their Durga form to the society and the government. The women of Andhra Pradesh have launched a campaign against liquor. Among them there are not the women who are highly educated, nor the women from the well-to-do families. Illiterate, uneducated and poverty stricken women have launched such an attack that thousands of liquor shops have closed down. These women have also prevented auctioning of liquor contracts. Looking at their courage and manner of influencing some social reformers, some youths and students are also promoting that campaign. Those women have made a demand for state-wide prohibition.
Not only alcohol, but the way in which the consumption of narcotic drugs is growing today is a matter of concern. How far would only the campaign by the woman of Andhra Pradesh help in pushing out those substances which have found their way in healthy lifestyles? Let women of the whole country wake up. Let them wake up in the current year which is celebrated as a year of national consciousness. Let them throw in their strength to fight against social and national evils. I am sure that if women use their power on a long term basis and take up the responsibility of this work, then it is possible to challenge the existence of many evils. One Sitamma or Rosamma would not do for that purpose. All ammas throughout the country would have to get together and become Durga and carry on that task.
