Drawing inspiration from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings on women education, Sri Rupa Manjari Institute of Education, Culture, & Community Services was established in 2014 as an educational institute exclusively for women. Our mission is: “Upliftment of womanhood through Good Health > Sound Mind > Spiritual Enlightenment.
Vedic civilization represented the ‘golden age of women empowerment’. It is the benchmark in terms of equity, respectability, position in the family, and social status offered to women. The key reasons why it flourished for many thousands of years are: (1) women’s dignity was always upheld (2) they were always protected by the able men, and (3) right environment was provided for their development, without any prejudice. As a result, the Vedic women demonstrated superior cultural distinctiveness, artistic finesse, emotional maturity, mental strength, intellectual prowess, and spiritual/ devotional pursuits.
As rightly proclaimed in Manu Smriti (3.56),
यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता:। | “Where women are honoured, divinity blossoms, and where women are dishonoured, all actions remain unfruitful.” |
In Vedic culture, women signify “Shakti” – the inner force behind every action. Such is the power of feminine force that Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, Gayatri, Parvati are revered as prominent goddesses. The honourable women of our tradition – Anusuya, Ahalya, Kaushalya, Devaki, Kunti, and Draupadi, just to name a few – set perfect examples of exemplary character and virtuous feminine qualities. They serve as role models even today, for the women of modern age.
As long as women remained protected by chivalrous fathers, husbands, brothers and sons, the Vedic tradition thrived. More than five thousand years ago, before the onset of the age of Kali, Arjuna – the great hero of Mahabharata – could foresee disintegration of social fabric and its widespread, adverse cascading effects due to unprotected women in the society. He expressed his concern to Lord Krishna thus (Bhagavad-Gita 1.40):
| adharmabhibhavat krishna, pradushyanti kula-striyah strisu dustasu varshneya, jayate varna-sankarah | “When irreligion is prominent in the family, O Krishna, the women of the family become polluted, and from the degradation of womanhood, O descendant of Vrishni, comes unwanted progeny.” |
Evil influence of time has brought about gradual cultural degradation. At present, we live in the times of hypocrisy. Superficially, the theme of women empowerment is prominent in every discourse on political, cultural or social platform. But in reality, women are reduced to objects of gratification – to be possessed, controlled, and exploited by their unscrupulous male counterparts.
- Should the women to be exposed to vulnerabilities of materialistic distractions? Should they not be the nerve-centre of strong families and well-integrated society?
- Should the women be satisfied by the illusion of temporary happiness alone? Should they not explore the avenues of cultural progress and spiritual advancement?
- Should the women get carried away on the path of ignominy? Should they not be the torch-bearers and inspiration for future generations?
Questions like these demand attention of the responsible and visionary leaders of our society. The problem of cultural degradation is real, and needs an effective, long term solution.
Recognizing the fact that women ought to play a significant role in revitalization of Vedic culture, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), laid the foundations of systematic, structured education for women. From humble beginnings in 1966, ISKCON has today developed into a global spiritual society with millions of members, providing everyone an opportunity for multi-dimensional personae development rooted in uncompromised Indian spiritual/ devotional tradition. Without any discrimination of cast, creed, nationality, religious or social background, men and women are inspired to adopt living based on the Vedic principles.
Expertly blending the age-old traditional wisdom with the modern practicalities, Srila Prabhupada demonstrated that with proper guidance and training, even individuals with zero background in Indian culture can be quickly transformed into first class responsible citizens as members of a glorious civilization. Through his scholarly writings, teachings, lectures, letters, and personal instructions to his disciples, he has provided comprehensive directions especially about training women.
Drawing inspiration from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings on women education, Sri Rupa Manjari Institute of Education, Culture, & Community Services was established in 2014 as an educational institute exclusively for women. Our mission is: “Upliftment of womanhood through Good Health > Sound Mind > Spiritual Enlightenment.
Our program aims at developing social, intellectual, cultural and spiritual/ devotional dimensions of our students. The curriculum is especially designed for those women who intend to take an active lead in being a shining star of the socio-cultural transformation. We aim not only at fulfilling the developmental promise, but also to help our students pursue the ultimate goal of life as delineated in the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures.
The institute is managed by senior sadhvis (female devotees) of ISKCON, experienced in providing guidance and encouragement to the younger generation daughters, wives, mothers and sisters. Through a well-defined, structured program comprising of lectures, seminars, practical training, counselling, outbound activities and personal guidance, the institute will prepare the women to take up the challenges posed by the modern society. Programs for different age groups are offered.
Key highlights of the institute’s educational programs are:
- Well-designed curriculum that includes subjects such as planning an ideal family life, parenting, health care, sattvik diet and nutrition, effective communication, etiquette, social relationship management, the fine art of receiving guests at home, and community service.
- Training women in all aspects of Vaishnava living – with special focus on spiritual/ devotional culture
- Strongly rooted in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, the students learn devotional engagements like culinary art, dress-designing for the deities, celebrating cultural festivals, devotional dramatics, dance, singing, and music
- Online interaction with senior, advanced, and experienced sadhvis from around the world – India, USA, UK, Russia, and New Zealand
- Special projects for collaborative learning and social skills development, for demonstrable assimilation of knowledge
- Short-term and long-term residential courses with flexibility of full-time and part-time learning
- The students to be trained as the ambassadors of Vedic culture, to become counsellors, teachers and trainers
The institute will prepare students who will make a better tomorrow. They will become mature, responsible and well-behaved individuals, ever ready to contribute for the betterment of civilization – leading by personal example.
The students will become active contributors in terms of passing down the rich heritage of Vedic culture to the future generations. Thus, bestowing them a sense of purpose, and a sense of fulfilment.
The students will develop inner strength and character. They will gain capability and flexibility to adapt to changes and coping with adversities of life. This will help them to lead a balanced life free from unwanted stress and anxiety.
With gradual development of regulated habits, the students will develop a healthy lifestyle leading to inner peace and satisfaction.
Our students will be guided towards spiritual advancement, way beyond material fulfilment.
