SB 1.8.20 (1964)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 20
- Tatha paramhansanam muninam amalatmanam
Bhaktiyoga bidhanartkam katham pasyema hi striyah.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Tatha—besides that, Paramhansanam—of the advanced transcendentalists, Muninam—of the great philosophers or mental speculators, Amalatmanam—those whose mind is competent to discern between spirit and matter, Bhaktiyoga—the science of devotional service, Bidhanartham—for the matter of executing, Katham—why, Pusyema—can observe, Hi—certainly, Striyah—the woman folk.
TRANSLATION
You descend Yourself for executing the mission of propagating the transcendental science of devotional service unto the heart of the advanced transcendentalists and mental speculationists who are purified by discerning between matter and spirit. How then we the woman folk can know You perfectly.
PURPORT
Even the greatest philosophical speculationists cannot have any access in the region of the Lord. It is said in the Upanishads that the Supreme Truth Absolute Personality of Godhead is beyond the range of thinking power of the greatest philosopher. As such He is unknowable by great learning or by the greatest brain. He is only knowable by one who has His mercy only. Others may go on thinking about Him for years together yet He is unknowable. This very fact is corroborated by the queen and she is playing the part of an innocent woman. The woman folk as a class are unable to speculate like a philosopher but they are blessed by the Lord because they believe at once in the superiority and Almightiness of the Lord and thus offers obeisances without any reservation. The Lord is so kind that He does not show any special favor to anyone who is a great philosopher. He knows the sincerity of purpose. For this reason only the woman folk generally assemble in greater number in any sort of religious function. In every country and in every sect of religion it appears that the woman folks are more interested than the opposite sex. This simplicity of acceptance of the authority of the Lord by anyone is more effective than showy religious fervour without any sincerity of purpose.