Tulasi-devi on Degraded Men and Women

Tulasi-devi on Degraded Men and Women
(The following is from the story of Tulasi-devi in the Brahma-vaivarta
Purana. Her strong assertions expose the exploitive mentality of men and
women who desire to enjoy each other.)
"Who are you? And why are you talking to me? If a noble man sees a virtuous
woman alone, he doesn't talk to her. So go away. The sastras say that only a
degraded man desires a woman. At first a woman is sweet to a man but later
proves fatal. Through her mouth rains honey, but her heart is like a jar of
poison. She uses sweet words, but her heart is sharp like a razor. To
achieve her own selfish ends, she is submissive to her husband; otherwise
she is unsubmissive. While her face looks cheerful, her heart is dirty. A
wise man never trusts a base woman. She has no friend or enemy, for all she
wants are new lovers. When a woman sees a well dressed man, she inwardly
desires him, but outwardly she appears chaste and modest. Being naturally
passionate, she attracts a man's mind. A woman likes a good lover more than
sweet foods or refreshing drinks, and even more than her own son. But if
that lover becomes impotent or aged, she regards him as an enemy. Quarrels
and anger ensue, then she devours him as a snake eats a rat. She is rashness
personified and a mine of vices.
"A woman is hypocritical, obstinate and unfaithful. Even Lord Brahma and
other gods are deluded by her. She is a hindrance on the path of austerity,
an obstacle to liberation, an impediment to developing faith in Lord Hari, a
refuge of all delusion and a living chain that binds man to this world.
"She is like bucket of stool and is as false as dreams. She appears to be
very beautiful, but she is a bucket of blood, urine and stool. When God
created her, he arranged that she should become the spirit of delusion to
the deluded and poison to those who desire liberation. Thus, on no account
should a woman be desired, and by all means she should be avoided.
"A man who is conquered by a woman is very impure and condemned by people in
general. The forefathers and the demigods regard men who are conquered by
women as low and contemptible. Even their fathers and mothers mentally
despise them. The Vedas say that when a child is born or a relative dies,
the brahmanas are purified in ten days, the ksatriyas in twelve days, the
vaisyas in fifteen days and the sudras and other low classes in twenty-one
days. But a man conquered by a woman always remains impure. Only when the
body is burned to ashes does he becomes purified. Neither the ancestors, nor
the demigods accept from him cakes, flowers or any other offerings.
"Men whose hearts are totally conquered by women acquire no fruits from
their knowledge, austerities, japa, fire sacrifices, worship, learning or
fame."

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