STRI-SVABHAVA

STRI-SVABHAVA

A compilation of verses from Manu-samhita,
Panca-tantra * , Hitopadesha * , Shiva Purana,
Brahma-vaivarta Purana
and Srimad Bhagavatam .
* (themselves compilations of the
Smrti-shastras)



Recently, I have heard about feminist groups making agitation to change Prabhupada’s books and remove all the statements that might clash with their feminist ideologies, mostly claiming that whatever he spoke about women was a product of his material education and background, rather than bona fide scriptural statements. I guess that their fight is not just against Prabhupada’s words, but against thousands of years of what has been accepted by most religious cultures as civilized human life. It makes me wonder how they would explain the fact that in different parts of the world and in different phases of history people would have a simple consensus about women, unless they want to dismiss the issue by affirming that the whole civilization was established on the basis of male chauvinism, which finally they aim to replace. In this case, one can wonder what they have to offer, since after the so-called liberation started, women as a class are nowadays more exploited and degraded than ever, and a patriarchal society is supposed to be better than a bastard one. Simply censuring Prabhupada’s words would solve nothing, as there is much more where they came from, and it would be easier to change one's religion than to get rid of all the scriptural statements they don’t wish to hear. Orthodox religions not being lenient to their claims, the feminists would end up turning into agnostics, and finally take their arguments to the point, for if they don't want to be submissive, why would they submit themselves to even to God? This of course would highlight their great achievements...

In the Gita 2.46, Lord Krishna says:

yavan artha udapane
sarvatah samplutodake
tavan sarvesu vedesu
brahmanasya vijanatah

“All purposes served by a small well can at once be served by a great reservoir of water. Similarly, all the purposes of the Vedas can be served to one who knows the purpose behind them.”


Instead of focusing on the external aspects of every scriptural passage, it is much wiser to try to understand what the purpose behind them is. It might not be so obvious at first, but none of the verses below aims at defiling women. They are rather meant to give many instructions to both genders. It is also convenient to mention that these texts were more meaningful in a society in which men were raised to be extremely virtuous and self-controlled, otherwise, as a matter of fact, the traits described here are also exhibited by most of the mundane male population we see nowadays...



Disclaimer: I don’t have the slightest interest in discussing this topic. If someone has any objection to the statements below, feel free to address the issue directly to the original compilers: Vyasadeva and Manu.



Manu-samhita

2.113 Svabhava esa narinam naranam iha dusanam
Ato’ rthan na pramadyanti pramadasu vipascitah

To corrupt men is the nature of women, hence the wise do
not indulge in their association.

2.114 Avidvamsam alam loke vidvamsam api va punah
Pramada hy utpatham netum kama-krodha-vasanugam

Man, by nature, is subject to lust and anger; women are
quite competent to lead even a wise man astray, not to
speak of a fool.

5.147 Balaya va yuvatya va vrddhaya vapi yosita
Na sva-tantryena kartavyam kincit karyam grhesv api

A girl, a young woman or even an old woman must not do
anything independently, even in her own house.

5.149 Pitra bharta sutair vapi necched viraham atmanah
Esam hi virahena stri garhye kuryad ubhe kule

She must not wish separation from her father, husband or
sons; a woman separated from these becomes condemned in
both families.

5.155 Nasti strinam prthag yajno na vratam napy uposanam
Patim susrusate yena tena svarge mahiyate

Women have no other sacrifice, vow or fasting to perform
other than unflinching devotion to a husband, by which
they become glorified in heaven.

8.371 Bhartaram langhayed ya tu stri jnati-guna-darpita
Tam svabhih khadayed raja samsthane bahu-samsthite

IF A WOMAN, BEING PROUD OF HER BEAUTY AND RELATIONS, MAKES
TRANGRESSIONS (ADULTERY) AGAINST HER HUSBAND, THE KING
MUST CAUSE HER TO BE DEVOURED BY DOGS IN A CROWDED PLACE.

8.416 Bharya putras ca dasas ca traya evadhanah smrtah
Yat te samadhigacchanti yasya te tasya tad dhanam

A wife, a son and a slave can never have any property or
money. Whatever they earn goes to him to whom they belong.

9.2 Asvatantrah striyah karyah purusaih svair divanisam
Visayesu ca sajjantyah samsthapya atmano vase

Day and night, men should never give any freedom to women.
By engaging them in proper activities they should keep
them under their control.

9.3 Pita raksati kaumare bharta raksati yauvane
Raksanti sthavire putra na stri svatantryam arhati

The father protects her in infancy; the husband in youth;
the sons in old age. A woman does not deserve
independence.

9.5 Suksmebhyo’ pi prasangebhyah striyo raksya visesatah
Dvayor hi kulayoh sokam avaheyur araksitah

Women should be especially protected from the slightest
corrupting influences since an unprotected woman aggrieves
two families.

9.13 Panam durjana-samsargah patya ca viraho’tanam
Svapno’ nya-geha-vasas ca nari-sandusanani sat

Drinking, evil company, separation from the husband, idle
rambling, sleep at improper time and residence at another’s
house-these are the six factors that spoil a woman.

9.14 Naita rupam pariksante nasam vayasi samsthitih
Sarupam va virupam va puman ity eva bhunjate

They do not care for beauty or youth. Women just long for
sexual intercourse with men, whether they be beautiful or
ugly.

9.15 Paumscalyac cala-cittac ca naisnehyac ca svabhavatah
Raksita yatnato piha bhartrsveta vikurvate

On account of the erotic fancies in their minds at the
mere sight of men, their innate fickleness of heart and inborn
absence of affection, women, even though well protected by
their husbands, make transgressions against them.

9.16 Evam svabhavam jnatvasam prajapati-nisargajam
Paramam yatnam atisthet puruso raksanam prati

Thus having known their nature, as Prajapati created them,
a man should try his best to protect his wife.

9.17 Sayyasam alankaram kamam krodham anarjavam
Droha-bhavam kucaryam ca stribhyo manur akalpayat

Fondness for beds, cushions and ornaments, lusty desires,
anger, crookedness and mischief - these are the qualities
Manu gave to women.


9.18 Nasti strinam kriya mantrair iti dharma-vyavasthitih
Nirindriya hy amantras ca striyo 'nrtam iti sthitih

The purificatory rites of women are without vedic mantras;
that is the decision of the law code. And for this
disqualification of mantralessness women are said to be false (or prone to falsehood). This is the conclusion.

9.19 tatha ca srutayo bahvyo nigita nigamesv api
sva-laksanya-pariksartham tasam srnuta niskrtih

The proneness of women to infidelity has been largely sung
in the Vedas and Nigamas in order to make fully known their true disposition.

9.30 Vyabhicarat tu bhartuh stri loke prapnoti nindyam
Srgalayonim capnoti papa-rogais ca pidyate


By committing transgressions against her husband, a woman
becomes condemnable in this world, takes birth in the womb
of a she-jackal in the next life and is afflicted by very
bad diseases.

9.47 Sakrd amso nipatati sakrt kanya pradiyate
Sakr aha dadaniti triny etani satam sakrt

Only once can the partition of inheritance be done; only
once can a girl be given in marriage; and only once can a
thing be gifted.

9.72 Vidhivat pratigrhyapi tyajet kanyam vigarhitam
Vyadhitam vipradustam va chadmana copapaditam

Even after having formally accepted a girl in marriage, if
one finds out that she has inauspicious physical features,
is diseased, is not a maiden anymore or was fraudulently
given in marriage by hiding some defect, he must give her
up.


HITOPADESA

1.114 svatantryam pitr-mandire nivasatir yatrotsave sangatir
gosthi-purusa-sannidhav aniyamo vaso videse tatha
samsargah saha pumscalibhir asakrd vrtter nijayah ksatih
patyur vardhakam isitam pravasanam nasasya hetuh striyah

Freedom, residence in the father’s house after marriage,
meeting people during festivities, living unrestrictedly
in the vicinity of men, dwelling in a foreign country,
association with women of loose character, constant
violation of proper conduct, the old age of the husband,
being jealous of him, his residence abroad- these are the
causes that ruin a woman.


1.116 surupam purusam drstva bhrataram yadi va sutam
yonih klidyati narinam satyam satyam hi śaunaka (Garuda Purana, 1.109.37)

O Saunaka, having seeing a handsome man, whether her brother or even
her son, a woman’s private parts become wet, this is the fact.

1.117 sthanam nasti ksano nasti nasti prarthayito narah
tena narada narinam satitvam upajayate

O Narada, there is no suitable place, no proper time or no one to
propose- ON ACCOUNT OF THESE WOMEN REMAIN CHASTE.

1.118 striyo hi capala nityam devanam api visrutam
tas capi raksita yesam te narah sukha-bhaginah

It is well known even to the demigods that women are
always inconstant. Happy are those men by whom they are
protected, in spite of their nature.

1.119 na strinam apriyah kascit priyo vapi vidyate
gavas trnam ivaranye prarthayanti navam navam

There is no one to whom women do not like, nor there is
anyone to whom they love. They just seek a fresh man after
another, as the cows look for grass in a forest.


1.121 na lajja na vinitatvam na daksinyam na bhiruta
prarthanabhava evaikam satitve karanam striyah

It is not due to shame, nor to modesty, rectitude or
shyness that a woman is chaste, but only due to the
absence of a proposal.


1.123 usana veda yac chastram yac ca veda brhaspatih
svabhavenaiva tac chastram stri-buddhau supratisthitam

The science that Sukracarya knows and that which Brhaspati
knows is by nature well established in the talent of a
woman.


1.195 san-marge tavad aste prabhavati purusas tavad evendriyanam
lajjam tavad vidhatte vinayam api samalambate tavad eva |
bhru-capakrsta-muktah sravana-patha-gata nila-paksmana ete
yaval lilavatinam na hrdi dhrti-muso drsti-banah patanti

So long only a man follows the path of virtue, controls
his senses, feels shame and clings to modesty, as long as the
arrow-like glances cast by sportive ladies, which rob one’s
steadiness, do not fall on his heart.


1.196 asatyam sahasam maya matsarye catilubdhata
nirgunatvam asaucatvam strinam dosah svabhavajah

Infidelity, rashness, deceit, envy, over greediness,
absence of good qualities and uncleanliness- these are the
natural defects of women.


2.114 na danena na manena narjavena na sevaya |
na sastrena na sastrena sarvatha visamah striyah ||116||


Neither by gifts nor by honor, simplicity, service,
punishment nor shastric advise can women be controlled.
They are hard to satisfy by any means.

2.215 gunasrayam kirti-yutam ca kantam
patim ratijnam sadhanam yuvanam |
vihaya sighram vanita vrajanti
narantaram sila-gunadi-hinam


Having given up a husband who is the abode of merits,
endowed with fame, amiable, versed in the erotic art,
wealthy and youthful, women quickly resort to another man,
although devoid of character, good qualities, etc.

2.116 na tadrsim pritim upaiti nari
vicitra-sayya sayitapi kamam |
yatha hi durvadi-vikirna-bhumau
prayati saukhyam para-kanti-sangat

A woman does not derive so much pleasure, although lying
down on a beautiful bed entirely to her satisfaction, as
she does in the company of a paramour, although lying on
the grass.

2,117 aharo dvigunah strinam buddhis tasam catur-guna |
sad-guno vyavasayas ca kamas castagunah smrtah ||119||


In comparison to men, women are twice hungrier, four times
smarter, six times more perseverant and eight times
lustier.




PANCA-TANTRA

1.136 jalpanti sardham anyena pasyanty anyam sa-vibhramah |
hrd-gatam cintayanty anyam priyah ko nama yositam

They talk to one man, look at another very lovingly and
think of a third one within the heart. Who possibly is
beloved by women?

1.137 ekena smita-pataladhara-ruco jalpanty analpaksaram
viksante’nyam itah sphutat-kumudini-phullollasal-locanah |
durodara-caritra-citra-vibhavam dhyayanti canyam dhiya
kenettham paramarthato’rthavad iva premasti vama-bhruvam

With smiling rosy lips, they eloquently talk to a man, while looking at another one with expanded eyes like fully blossomed lotuses, and at the same time thinking of another man who is rich and of bad conduct. For whom women really feel love, which may seem to be the most important of all things?


1.140 yo mohan manyate mudho rakteyam mama kamini |
sa tasya vasago nityam bhavet krida-sakuntavat

A fool who, out of illusion, thinks “my beloved is so
attached to me”-becomes eternally controlled by her, just
like a toy-bird.

1.143 anarthitvan manusyanam bhayat parijanasya ca |
maryadayam amaryadah striyas tisthanti sarvada

Licentious women only remain within the limits of decency in the absence of a suitor and out of fear of relatives.

1.144 nasam kascid agamyo’sti nasam ca vayasi sthitih |
virupam rupavantam va puman ity eva bhujyate |

There is no man they would not approach, nor do they care about their age. Either beautiful or ugly, if he is a man, there is no further consideration to enjoy with him.

1.146 alaktiko yatha rakto nispidya purusas tatha |
abalabhir balad raktah pada-mule nipatyate |

As red lac is squeezed and then thrown down on the feet by
women, so is a man attached to them forcibly deprived of
his wealth and made to fall at their feet.


1.148 kake saucam dyuta-karesu satyam
sarpe ksantih strisu kamopasantih |
klibe dhairyam madyape tattva-cinta
raja mitram kena drstam srutam va |

Cleanliness in a crow, truthfulness in a gambler,
tolerance in a serpent, satiated sexual appetite in a woman, bravery
in a coward, discernment in a drunkard or friendship with
a king- who has ever seen or heard of these?



1.174 durdivase ghana-timire duhsancarasu nagara-vithisu |
patyur videsa-gamane parama-sukham jaghana-capalayah

A libidinous woman feels great delight when the day is
cloudy, when it is dark, when the streets are crowded
(and she cannot be easily noticed) and when her husband goes
abroad.

1.175 paryankesv astaranam patim anukulam manoharam sayanam |
trnam iva laghu manyante kaminyas caurya-rata-lubdhah

A lusty woman longing for secret sexual affairs considers
a charming couch spread on a bed and a loving husband worth
a straw.

1.176
kelim pradahati lajja srngaro’sthini catavah katavah |
bandhakyah paritoso na kimcid istam bhavet patyau |

The amorous sports of her husband burn the marrow of an
unchaste woman, his love burns her bones, and his sweet
words are unpleasant to her. There can be no happiness if
both are not attached to one another.

1.177 kula-patanam jana-garham bandhanam api jivitavya-sandeham |
angikaroti kulata satatam para-purusa-samsakta

The family’s degradation, people’s censure, confinement
and even the risk of life - all this a woman attached to
another man will accept ( rather than be chaste).


1.182 yadi bhavati deva-yogat puman virupo’pi bandhaki rahasi |
na tu krcchrad api bhadram nija-kantam sa bhajaty eva

If by chance a loose woman enjoys with a man in a secret
place, it does not matter how ugly he may be, she cannot
even with difficult feel attachment for her husband,
though handsome.

1.184 sambarasya ca ya maya ya maya namucer api |
baleh kumbhinasas caiva sarvas ta yosito viduh

The deceitful tricks known by Sambara, Namuci, Bali and
Kumbhinasi are completely known by women.



1.185 hasantam prahasanty eta rudantam prarudanty api |
apriyam priya-vakyais ca grhnanti kala-yogatah |

As the occasion arises, they smile to one who smiles and
cry along with one who cries, and thus they conquer
one whom they do not really love.

1.187 anrtam satyam ity ahuh satyam capi tathanrtam |
iti yas tah katham vira samraksyah purusair iha

They speak an untruth as truth and truth as untruth. How
possibly can they be kept by sober men?

1.188
natiprasangah pramadasu karyo
necched balam strisu vivardhamanam |
atiprasaktaih purusair yatas tah
kridanti kakair iva luna-paksaih

One should not be over attached to women nor let their
power increase. They play with men attached to them just
as with crows whose wings are clipped.

1.189 sumukhena vadanti valguna praharanty eva sitena cetasa |
madhu tisthati vaci yositam hrdaye halahalam mahad-visam

They talk very charmingly with a sweet tongue, but strike
with a cold heart. Honey flows in their speech; deadly
poison lurks in their hearts.

1.191 avartah samsayanam avinaya-bhavanam pattanam sahasanam
dosanam samnidhanam kapata-sata-mayam ksetram apratyayanam |
svarga-dvarasya vighnam naraka-pura-mukham sarva-maya-karandam
stri-yantram kena srstam visam amrta-mayam prani-lokasya pasah |

A whirlpool of risks, the abode of immodesty, a city of
audacity, a reservoir of faults, the home of hundreds of
deceits, the field of mistrust, difficult to be understood
even by exalted men, a repository of all tricks ! Who
created this machine in the form of a woman, this poison
mixed with nectar meant for the destruction of virtue?

1.192 karkasyam stanayor drsos taralatalikam mukhe slaghyate
kautilyam kaca-samcaye ca vacane mandyam trike sthulata |
bhirutvam hrdaye sadaiva kathitam maya-prayogah priye
yasam dosa-gano guno mrga-drsam tah syur naranam priyah


They have harshness in their breasts, fickleness in their
eyes, falsity in their faces, crookedness in their
tresses, dullness in their speech, stupidity in their hips,
cowardice in their hearts and always use deceitful tricks
with their beloveds. These doe-eyed women are endowed with
a multitude of faults, so why should they be loved by men?


1.193
eta hasanti ca rudanti ca karya-hetor
visvasayanti ca param na ca visvasanti |
tasman narena kula-sila-samanvitena
naryah smasana-ghatika iva varjaniyah

Women laugh and cry to attain their objectives; they get
others confidence, but themselves trust no one. Therefore, a
noble man with good character should always avoid women as
one rejects earthen pots in a cemetery.

1.194 kurvanti tavat prathamam priyani
yavan na jananti naram prasaktam |
jnatva ca tam manmatha-pasa-baddham
grastamisam minam ivoddharanti

At first, as long as they do not know that the man is
attached, they act agreeably; but having known that he is
entrapped in the snares of Cupid, they drag him just like
a fish that swallowed a bait.



1.195 samudra-viciva cala-svabhavah
sandhyabhra-rekheva muhurta-ragah |
striyah krtarthah purusam nirartham
nispidotalaktakavat tyajanti |

Unsteady by nature, just like the waves of the ocean, women display their love, fugacious as an evening cloud, but as soon as they accomplished their purposes, they give up an empoverished lover just as one gives up squeezed lac.

1.196 antar-visa-maya hy eta bahis caiva manoramah |
gunja-phala-samakara yositah kena nirmitah |

Outside pleasing to the mind, inside filled with poison,
just like the gunja fruit. By who were women created?

1.197 sammohayantimadayanti vidambayanti
nirbhartsayanti ramayanti visadayanti |
etah pravisya saralam hrdayam naranam
kim va na vama-nayana na samacaranti |

They bewitch, exhilarate, mock, abuse, delight, torment.
Having entered the innocent heart of men, what these
ladies with charming eyes cannot do?

1.205 nadyas ca naryas ca sadrk-prabhavas
tulyani kulani kulani tasam |
toyais ca dosais ca nipatayanti
nadyo hi kulani kulani naryah |

Women and rivers exert the same influence over the family and the banks. By its waters a river ruins its banks; by her faults a woman ruins her family.

1.206 janani-mano harati jatavati
parivardhate saha suca suhrdam |
para-satkrtapi kurute malinam
durita-krama duhitaro vipadah |

When a daughter is born, she afflicts the heart of the
mother. As she grows up, she brings pain to loving hearts;
when given in marriage, she is likely to commit a sinful
deed. Daughters mean unavoidable disasters.

2.149 akrtyam manyate krtyam agamyam manyate sugam |
abhaksyam manyate bhaksyam stri-vakya-prerito narah |

Incited by a woman’s words, a man considers a sinful act as virtuous, something difficult as easy, and uneatables as eatables.

4.49 nadinam ca kulanam ca muninam ca mahatmanam |
pariksa na prakartavya strinam duscaritasya ca |

The depths of the rivers, the wisdom of sages, the origins
of the dynasties, the virtue of the great souls, the misbehaviour of women- all these are difficult to fathom.

4.51 yadi syat pavakah sitah prosno va sasa-lanchanah |
strinam tada satitvam syad yadi syad durjano hitah

If fire ever become cold, the moon hot or a wicked man
becomes a good man, then women can possibly become chaste.

4.72 na suvarnam na ratnani na ca rajya-parikriyam
tatha vanchanti kaminyo yathabhistatamam varam

Not gold, nor jewels, nor royal comforts are so desired by
women as the man they choose. (at least for the time
being)

4.80 ya bharya dusta-caritra satatam kalaha-priya |
bharya-rupena sa jneya vidagdhair daruna jara

A wife who is always ill-behaved and found of quarrel should be known by the wise as terrible old age(death) in the form of a wife.

4.81 tasmat sarva-prayatnena namapi parivarjayet |
strinam iha hi sarvasam ya icchet sukham atmanah

Therefore, because women’s nature is such, a man desirous
of his own happiness should BY ALL EFFORTS AVOID EVEN
THEIR NAME.


4.83 yad-antas tan na jihvayam yaj jihvayam na tad-bahih |
yad-bahis tan na kurvanti vicitra-caritah striyah

What is in their hearts is not in their tongue; what is in
their tongue is not expressed externally; what they
express is not actually executed- strange is the behavior of
women!

4.84 ke nama na vinasyanti mithya-jnanan nitambinim |
ramyam te upasarpanti dipabham salabha yatha

Who does not perish after approaching a woman with beautiful hips, just as moths out of ignorance jump into fire?

4.85 tadita api dandena sastrair api vikhanditah |
na vasam yosito yanti na danair na ca samstavaih |

Not even upon being beaten with a stick or mutilated by
weapons, nor by gifts and flattering words can women be
possibly brought under control.

4.86 astam tavat kim anyena dauratmyeneha yositam |
vidhrtam svodarenapi ghnanti putram api svakam

No need to speak further about women’s wickedness, for one thing is enough- they can kill even their own son in the womb.

4.87 ruksayam sneha-sad-bhavam kathorayam sumardavam |
nirasayam rasam balo balikayam vikalpayet |

Only a fool who does not know the actual nature of women
can see affection in a girl that is devoid of it, softness
in her who is hardhearted and sentiment in her who has
none.


5.60 bhojanacchadane dadyad rtu-kale ca sangamam |
bhusanadyam ca narinam na tabhir mantrayet sudhih |

A wise man should give to his wife nice food and clothes,
ornaments , etc, and approach her in the proper season,
BUT NEVER ASK HER FOR ADVICE.

5.61 yatra stri yatra kitavo balo yatra prasasita |
tad grham ksayam ayati bhargavo hidam abravit |

That house where a woman, a rogue or a boy is the ruler
will be ruined. So is the opinion of Bhargava.

5.62 tavat syat suprasannasyas tavad guru-jane ratah |
puruso yositam yavan na srnoti vaco rahah |

Only so long as a man pays no heed to women’s words, he has
a cheerful countenance and is attached to his elders.


5.63 etah svartha-para naryah kevalam sva-sukhe ratah |
na tasam vallabhah ko'pi suto'pi sva-sukham vina |

Women are completely self-centered and are concerned only
with their own gratification. No one is dear to them, not
even their own son, except if he contributes to their
happiness.






BRAHMA-VAIVARTA PURANA

2.16.44-61

Tulasi to Sankhacuda-

The shastras say that only a degraded man desires a woman.
At first a woman is sweet to a man, but later proves
fatal. Though her mouth rains honey, 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. Even the Vedas and the
Puranas cannot fathom her character. 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 shy. She is naturally passionate, attracts
men's minds, and eagerly engages in sex. Though outwardly
she hides her lust and appears shy, when she meets her
lover in secret, she is ready to swallow him up. Only out
of fear she does not indulge in sex with many men, but
when she does not get enough sex, she fells dejected. When she
does not have sex with him, she feels offended, her body
burns with anger, and she begins to quarrel. When her
passions are fully satisfied, she becomes cheerful; when
unsatisfied, morose. A woman likes a good lover expert in sex more than sweet
foods or refreshing drinks; she likes him even more than her own
son; he is dearer to her than her life. But if the 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 men
to the world. She is like a magician and is as false as
dreams. She appears to be very beautiful, but is she is a
bucket of stool, urine, gas and blood. 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.




BRAHMA-VAIVARTA PURANA, Canto 4, Chapter 23

(Lord Narayana to Narada Muni)

Text 27


pumscalyam yo hi visvasto
vidhina sa vidambitah
bahiskrtas ca yasasa
dhanena sva-kulena ca

pumscalyam - in an unchaste woman; yah - who; hi - indeed; visvastah - fath; vidhina - by destiny; sa - indeed; vidambitah - is mocked; bahiskrtah - thrown away; ca - and; yasasa - fame; dhanena - wealth; sva-kulena - family; ca - and.


A man who trusts an unchaste woman is mocked by fate. His fame, wealth, and family are all lost.


Text 28


vanchitam nutanam prapya
vinasyati puratanam
sada sva-karma-sadhya ya
ko va tasyah priyo 'priyah

vanchitam - desired; nutanam - the new; prapya - attaining; vinasyati - dies; puratanam - the old; sada - always; sva-karma-sadhya - interested in attaining herv goal; ya - who; kah - what?; va - or; tasyah - of her; priyah - dear; apriyah - not dear.


When she desires a new lover the old one is finished. She is interested only in fulfilling her desires. For her nothing is moral or immoral.


Text 29


daive karmani pautre ca
putre bandhau na bhartari
darunam pumscali-cittam
sada srngara-karmani

daive - for the demigods; karmani - pious deeds; pautre - grandchildren; ca - and; putre - childred; bandhau - relatives; na - not; bhartari - husband; darunam - terrible; pumscali-cittam - the mind of an unchaste woman; sada - always; srngara-karmani - yearning for sex.


The ferocious heart of an unchaste woman hankers only for sex. It is not interested in the demigods, pious deeds, children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, or husband.


Text 30


pranadhikam ratijnam sa-
mrta-drstya hi pumscali
ratna-pradam raty-avijnam
visa-drstya hi pasyati

pranadhikam - more dear than life; ratijnam - expert in sex; sa-amrta-drstya - with nectar glances; hi - indeed; pumscali - an unchaste woman; ratna-pradam - giving jewels; raty - in sex; avijnam - not expert; visa-drstya - with galnces of poison; hi - indeed; pasyati - sees.


With nectar glances an unchaste woman gazes on a rake expert in sex. She thinks him more dear than life. But with poison glances she disdains a suitor who, although bringing jewels, knows nothing of the art of sex.


Text 31


sarvesam sthalam asty eva
pumscalinam na kutracit
daruna pumscali-jatir
nara-ghatibhya eva ca

sarvesam - of all; sthalam - the place; asty - is; eva - indeed; pumscalinam - of unchaste women; na - not; kutracit - anywhere; daruna - terrible; pumscali-jatih - the life of an unchaste woman; nara-ghatibhya - than murderers; eva - indeed; ca - and.


Unchaste women have no proper place anywhere. Unchaste women are worse than murderers.


Text 32


niskrtih karma-bhogante
sarvesam asti niscitam
na pumscalinam viprendra
yavac candra-divakarau

niskrtih - destruction; karma-bhogante - after the experience of karma is over; sarvesam - of all; asti - is; niscitam - indeed; na - not; pumscalinam - of unchaste women; viprendra - O king of brahmanas; yavac - as; candra-divakarau - the sun and the moon.


O king of brahmanas, at a certain time the results of past karma come to an end. This is not so for unchaste women. They suffer for as long as the sun and moon shine in the sky.


Text 33


anyasam kamininam ca
kitam hantum ca ya daya
sa nasti pumscalinam tu
kantam hantum puratanam

anyasam-of other; kamininam - women; ca - and; kitam - insect; hantum - to kill; ca - and; ya - which; daya - mercy; sa - she; na - not; asti - is; pumscalinam - of unchaste women; tu - indeed; kantam - lover; hantum - to killed; puratanam - old.


A chaste woman is more kind to an insect than an unchaste woman is to her longtime lover. A chaste woman is more reluctant to kill an insect than an unchaste woman is to kill her lover.

Text 34


ratijnam nutanam prapya
visa-tulyam puratanam
kantam drstva hinasty eva
sopayenavalilaya

ratijnam - expert in sex; nutanam - new; prapya - attaining; visa-tulyam - like posion; puratanam - old; kantam - lover; drstva - seeing; hinasty - sends away; eva - indeed; sopayena - with a method; avalilaya - easily.


Finding a new lover expert in sex, she sees her old lover to be like poison. She rejects him without a second thought.


Text 35


prthivyam yani papani
pumscalisv eva bharate
tisthanti papinas tabhyo
na parah santi kecana

prthivyam - on the earth; yani - which; papani - sins; pumscalisv - in unchaste women; eva - indeed; bharate - on the earth; tisthanti - are; papinah - sinners; tabhyah - than them; na - not; parah - worse; santi - are; kecana - any.


On this earth no sinner is worse than an unchaste woman.


Text 36


pumscali-paripakvannam
sarva-pataka-misritam
daive karmani paitre ca
na ca deyam tatha jalam

pumscali - by an unchaste woman; paripakva - cooked; annam - food; sarva-pataka-misritam - mixed with all her sins; daive - to the demigods; karmani - pious deeds; paitre - to the pitas; ca - and; na - not; ca - and; deyam - to be given; tatha - so; jalam - water.


Food cooked by an unchaste woman and water offered by her are mixed with all her sins. They should not be offered to the demigods and pitas.


Text 37


annam vista jalam mutram
pumscalinam ca niscitam
dattva pitrbhyo devebhyo
bhuktva ca narakam vrajet

annam - food; vista - stool; jalam - water; mutram - urine; pumscalinam - of unchaste women; ca - and; niscitam - indeed; dattva - given; pitrbhyah - to the pitas; devebhyah - to the demigods; bhuktva - eaten; ca - and; narakam - to hell; vrajet - goes.


Food cooked by an unchaste woman is stool. Water offered by her is urine. One who offers these things to the demigods and pitas, and then eats the remnants, goes to hell.


Text 38


sata-varsam kalasutre
pacaty eva su-darune
ghorandhakare krmayas
tam dasanti diva-nisam

sata-varsam - a hundred years; kalasutre - in hell; pacaty - cooks; eva - indeed; su-darune - terrible; ghorandhakare - blind; krmayah - worms; tam - him; dasanti - bite; diva-nisam - day and night.


For a hundred years he burns in a terrible blind hell. Great worms bite him day and night.


Text 39


pumscaly-annam ca yo bhunkte
daivad yadi naradhamah
sapta-janma-krtam punyam
tasya nasyati niscitam

pumscaly - of an unchaste woman; annam - food; ca - and; yah - one who; bhunkte - eats; daivat - by fate; yadi - if; naradhamah - the lowest of men; sapta - seven; janma - births; krtam - done; punyam - piety; tasya - of him; nasyati - is destroyed; niscitam - indeed.


One who eats food cooked by an unchaste woman becomes the lowest of men. Seven births of his pious deeds perish.


Text 40


ayuh-sri-yasasam hanir
iha loke paratra ca
tasmad yatnad raksaniyam
paka-patram kalatrakam

ayuh - lifespan; sri - welath and handsomeness; yasasam - and fame; hanih - destruction; iha - in this; loke - world; paratra - in the next; ca - and; tasmat - from that; yatnat - with care; raksaniyam - should be protected; paka-patram - cooking utensils; kalatrakam - wife.


His lifespan, wealth, handsomeness, and fame are all destroyed in both this life and the next. For this reason a man should carefully protect both his wife and his arrangement for cooking meals.


Text 41


pumscali-darsane punyam
yatra-siddhir bhaved dhruvam
sparsena ca maha-papam
tirtha-snanad visudhyati

pumscali - of an unchaste woman; darsane - in the sight; punyam - piety; yatra-siddhih - going on pilgrimage; bhavet - is; dhruvam - indeed; sparsena - by touch; ca - and; maha-papam - the great sin; tirtha-snanat - by bathing in a holy place; visudhyati - is purified.


By going on pilgrimage one is purified of the sin of seeing an unchaste woman. By bathing in a holy stream one is purified of the great sin of touching an unchaste woman.


Text 42


snanam danam vratam caiva
japas ca deva-pujanam
nisphalam pumscalinam ca
bharate jivanam vrtha

snanam - bathing; danam - charity; vratam - vows; ca - and; eva - indeed; japas - mantras; ca - and; deva-pujanam - worshiping the demigods; nisphalam - fruitless; pumscalinam - of unchaste women; ca - and; bharate - on the earth; jivanam - life; vrtha - useless.


An unchaste woman's charity, vows, mantras, demigod worship, and bathing in holy streams are all useless. She lives on this earth in vain.


Text 43


kathitam kulatakhyanam
durjneyam ca yathagamam
samvadam ca tayos tatra
prakrtam srnu narada

kathitam - spoken; kulatakhyanam - the story of an unchaste woman; durjneyam - inscrutable; ca - and; yathagamam - as far as understood; samvadam - conversation; ca - and; tayoh - of them; tatra - there; prakrtam - natural; srnu - please hear; narada - O Narada.


As far as I can understand them, I have described to you the inscrutable ways of an unchaste woman. O Narada, now please hear the conversation of Bali's son and Tilottama.


(...)


Text 70


sarvam janasi sarvajne
vijne surata-karmani
harsena srotum icchami
vada sva-manasam vacah

sarvam - all; janasi - you know; sarvajne - all-knowing; vijne - learned; surata-karmani - in amorous pastimes; harsena - with happiness; srotum - to hear; icchami - I wish; vada - tell; sva-manasam - your heart; vacah - words.


O wise one, O all-knowing one, you know everything of the art of sex. I yearn to hear from you. Please tell me what is in your heart.


Text 71


ati-priyas ca ko va vah
kah sva-bhavo varanane
akathyam gopaniyam ca
srotum icchami sundari

ati-priyah - very dear; ca - and; kah - who?; va - or; vah - of you; kah - who?; sva-bhavah - own nature; varanane - O girl eith the beautiful face; akathyam - not to be spoken; gopaniyam - to be concealed; ca - and; srotum - to hear; icchami - I wish; sundari - O beautiful one.


O girl with the beautiful face, what kind of man does a girl like? What is his nature? O beautiful one, even though the answer to this question may be confidential and not to be repeated to anyone, I still yearn to hear it.


Text 72


gandharvanam suranam ca
rajnam punyavatam api
sarvesam prana-tulya tvam
tesu kas ca parah priyah

gandharvanam - of gandharvas; suranam - of suras; ca - and; rajnam - of kings; punyavatam - of saints; api - also; sarvesam - of all; prana-tulya - dear as life; tvam - you; tesu - in them; kas - who?; ca - and; parah - most; priyah - liked.


Of all the gandharvas, demigods, kings, and saints, whom do you like best? Whom do you think more dear to you than life itself?


Text 73


asurasya vacah srutva
prahasya sa tilottama
mukham acchadanam cakre
vilokya vakra-caksusa

asurasya - of the asura; vacah - the words; srutva - hearing; prahasya - laughing; sa - she; tilottama - Tilottama; mukham - face; acchadanam - covering; cakre - did; vilokya - looking; vakra-caksusa - with crooked eyes.


Hearing the demon's words, Tilottama laughed and covered her face. With crooked eyes she gazed at him.

Text 74


satyam saram antara-stham
avyaktam ati-gopanam
uvaca manasam vakyam
ajnatam vidusam api

satyam - truth; saram - best; antara-stham - in the heart; avyaktam - not revealed; ati-gopanam - very confidential; uvaca - spoke; manasam - heart; vakyam - words; ajnatam - unknown; vidusam - to the philosophers; api - even.


Then she truthfully told him the secrets hidden in her heart, secrets unknown even to the great philosophers.


Text 75


tilottamovaca

kathaniyam casurendra
pumscalinam mano-vacah
veda-vedanta-sastranam
sarvam janati panditah
kanta nantam vijanati
disakase ca yositam

tilottamovaca - Tilottama said; kathaniyam - to be spoken; ca - and; asurendra - O king of the demons; pumscalinam - of girls that run after men; manah - of the heart; vacah - the words; veda-vedanta-sastranam - of the Vedasm the Vedanta, and all the scriptures; sarvam - all; janati - knows; panditah - scholar; kanta - O beloved; na - not; antam - end; vijanati - knows; disa - in the directions; akase - in the sky; ca - and; yositam - of women.


Tilottama said: O king of the demons, O lover, I will tell you what is in the heart of women that like to run after men. A philosopher that knows the Vedas, Vedanta, and all other scriptures still cannot understand where the directions, the sky, or the nature of women has its end.


Text 76


visad apy apriyo vrddho
ratnado 'pi ca yositam
yuva sarva-sva-harta cet
pranebhyo 'pi parah priyah

visat - than poison; apy - even; apriyah - repulsive; vrddhah - an old man; ratnadah - giving jewels; api - even; ca - and; yositam - of women; yuva - a young man; sarva - all; sva - her property; harta - stealing; cet - if; pranebhyah - than life; api - even; parah - more; priyah - dear.


Even if he brings her gifts of jewels, a woman thinks an old man more bitter than poison. Even if he robs all she has, she thinks a young man more dear than life.


Text 77


yuvanam sundaram drstva
matta bhavati pumscali
visesatah su-vesam ca
drstvaiva hata-cetana

yuvanam - young; sundaram - handsome; drstva - seeing; matta - maddened; bhavati - becomes; pumscali - a woman that runs after men; visesatah - specifically; su-vesam - well-dressed; ca - and; drstva - seeing; eva - indeed; hata - destroyed; cetana - heart.


When she sees a handsome young man, an unchaste woman becomes mad with desire. Especially if he is well-dressed, her heart becomes devastated.


Text 78


nimesa-rahita tasya
locanabhyam papau mukham
yonau jalam ksaret tasyah
sadyah kanduyanam bhavet

nimesa-rahita - unblinking; tasya - of him; locanabhyam - with eyes; papau - dfrank; mukham - face; yonau - in the vagina; jalam - water; ksaret - flows; tasyah - of her; sadyah - at once; kanduyanam - itching; bhavet - is.


With unblinking eyes she drinks his face. Her wet vagina itches.


Text 79


mano 'ti-lolam asthairyam
sarvangani cakampire
jadi-bhutam sariram ca
pradagdham madananalat

manah - mind; ati-lolam - very restless; asthairyam - unsteady; sarvangani - ann oimbs; cakampire - tremble; jadi-bhutam - stunned; sariram - body; ca - and; pradagdham - burning; madananalat - with the fire of lust.


Her mind becomes restless and unsteady. All her limbs tremble. Her body becomes stunned. She burns in a fire of lust.


Text 80


samprapya tam ced rahasi
salapam kurute sphutam
sa-kataksam smera-vaktram
darsayitva punah punah

samprapya - attaining; tam - him; cet - if; rahasi - in a secluded place; salapam - with words; kurute - does; sphutam - clearly; sa-kataksam - with sidelong glances; smera-vaktram - smiling face; darsayitva - showing; punah - again; punah - and again.


Finding him in a secluded place, she openly tells her desire. Again and again she smiles and gazes at him.


Text 81


tada yadi vasam kartum
na sasaka jitendriyam
svam angam darsayitva tam
antar-vakyam sphutam vadet

tada - then; yadi - if; vasam - control; kartum - to do; na - not; sasaka - is able; jitendriyam - controlling th senses; svam - own; angam - body; darsayitva - showing; tam - to him; antar-vakyam - secrets of the heart; sphutam - clearly; vadet - tells.


If he is sense-controlled and she cannot seduce him in that way, then she shows her body to him and she openly tells him the secrets of her heart.


Text 82


duhsadhye nayake duhkham
bhaved ajanma-karmani
tat-tulyam tat-param prapya
tam vismarati pumscali

duhsadhye - unattainable; nayake - hero; duhkham - misery; bhavet - is; ajanma - from birth; karmani - in deeds; tat-tulyam - equal to him; tat-param - better than him; prapya - attaining; tam - him; vismarati - forgets; pumscali - an unchaste woman.


If she still cannot attain her hero, she is miserable for her entire life. Only if she finds another lover equal or better than he can she forget him.


Text 83


pumscalinam apriyah kah
priyah ko va mahi-tale
yo hi srngara-nipunah
sa ca pranadhikah priyah

pumscalinam - of unchaste women; apriyah - not dear; kah - what?; priyah - dear; kah - what?; va - or; mahi-tale - on the earth; yah - who; hi - indeed; srngara-nipunah - expert in sex; sa - he; ca - and; pranadhikah - more than life; priyah - dear.


What kind of man does an unchaste woman like? What kind does she not like? She likes a man expert in sex. She thinks him more dear than life.


Text 84


purva-jaram patim putram
bhrataram pitaram prasum
visistam nutanam prapya
sarvam tyajati lilaya

purva-jaram - previous lover; patim - husband; putram - son; bhrataram - brother; pitaram - father; prasum - daughter; visistam - better; nutanam - new; prapya - attaining; sarvam - all; tyajati - abandons; lilaya - easily.


For the sake of her new lover she easily leaves behind her husband, son, brother, father, daughter, and former lover.


Text 85


na danena na punyena
na satyena stavena va
nopakarena prita sa
sadhya ca suratim vina

na - not; danena - by charity; na - and; punyena - by piety; na - not; satyena - by truthfulness; stavena - by prayers; va - or; na - not; upakarena - by any means; prita - pleased; sa - she; sadhya - attainable; ca - and; suratim - sex; vina - without.


Charity, piety, truthfulness, praise, and other things do not please her. Only sex pleases her.


Text 86


sayane bhojane capi
svapne jnane diva-nisam
nityam tat-purusaslesam
smarati kulatah striyah

sayane - in sleeping; bhojane - in eating; ca - and; api - also; svapne - in dream; jnane - awake; diva-nisam - day and night; nityam - always; tat-purusa - her man; aslesam - embrace; smarati - remembers; kulatah - unchaste; striyah - women.


While eating or resting, awake or asleep, day or night, unchaste women think only of a man's embrace.


Text 87


srngara-nipunanam ca
dhyana-sadhya ciram param
daruna pumscali-jatih
prarthayanti navam navam

srngara-nipunanam - expert in sex; ca - and; dhyana-sadhya - attained by meditation; ciram - a long time; param - great; daruna - terrible; pumscali-jatih - an unchaste woman; prarthayanti - pray; navam - newer; navam - and newer.


She is rapt in meditation on men expert in sex. A ferocious unchaste woman is always looking for another, a new lover.





The following episode appears in the SIVA PURANA , Uma-samhita, chap.24, verses 15-35, as well as in the MAHA-BHARATA, Anusasana Parva, Chap. 38, verses 11-30, as narrated by Bhismadeva.

Narada Muni asks the apsara Pancacuda to speak about women’s nature. She says-

15. O Narada, this is the defect in women. Even women of
noble families, women with husbands and women endowed with
beauty do not stand within the limits of decency.

16. There is none more sinning and more sinful than women.
Women are at the root of all sins. This you know already.

17. They might have husbands of good knowledge, of ample
wealth, of great comeliness and pleasing to them. But when
they get opportunities for erring, they do not wait.

18. O holy lord, this is the evil practice of all of us,
women, that we resort to sinful men casting off all shame
and shyness.

19. Women love only those persons who solicit their
company, who approach them intimately and who render them a little
bit of service.

20. Women usually do not observe the limitations of
conventional decency. If at all they stand by their
husbands it is because no man makes advances to them or
because they are afraid of their husbands.

21. There is no man not worthy of honour to women. They do
not care about the age of the man. They carry on their
affairs with any man, ugly or beautiful.

22. It is not due to fear, taunts of affection for their
husbands or regard for their lineage that women remain
loyal to their husbands.

23. Even women of noble families aspire for the life of
lascivious women who in their prime of youth, adorned with
lovable ornaments and beautiful wearing garments move
about frivolously.

24. Even the women who are honoured well, loved intimately
and looked after with care become attached to hunchbacks,
blind men, imbeciles and dwarfs.

25. O celestial sage, they become attached to lame and
even despicable persons. O great sage, there is none in the world who
cannot be approached by women with solicitations of lust.

26. O brahmana, if women do not get men for their dalliance
they begin to indulge in abnormal sexual activity with
another women. They do not stand by their husbands.

27. Women become desperate when they do not get men, when
they are afraid of servants, when they are frightened of
being killed or imprisoned.

28. Because they indulge in sexual intercourse as they
please, they are fickle-minded, of evil deeds and
emotionally incomprehensible even to an intelligent man.

29. Fire is not satiated with the logs of wood it consumes;
the ocean is not satiated with the rivers that flow into
it; the god of death is not satiated with the living beings
he kills and women are not satiated with whatever number
of men they have sex with.

30. O excellent sage, there is another secret of all women,
that immediately on seeing a man their genital begins to
exude slimy secretions.

31. On seeing a man fresh and clean from his bath, with
his body perfumed with sweet scents, the women’s genital
begins to exude like water dripping from a leather bag.

32. Women do not brook their husbands who may give all that
they love, who may honour and console them, and who may look
after them well.

33. Women do not remain satisfied and contented so much
with simple loves and pleasures and with ornaments and
money as with illicit sex pursued by them with other men.

34. Women can be kept equally balanced against all these
put together-Yama, Antaka, Patala, the submarine fire, the
sharp edge of a razor, poison, a serpent and fire.

35. Ever since the five elements, the world, the men and
the women were created by Brahma, O Narada, the defect
lies in women always.

13,038.011 pañcacūḍovāca
13,038.011a kulīnā rūpavatyaś ca nāthavatyaś ca yoṣitaḥ
13,038.011c maryādāsu na tiṣṭhanti sa doṣaḥ strīṣu nārada
13,038.012a na strībhyaḥ kiṃ cid anyad vai pāpīyastaram asti vai
13,038.012c striyo hi mūlaṃ doṣāṇāṃ tathā tvam api vettha ha
13,038.013a samājñātān ṛddhimataḥ pratirūpān vaśe sthitān
13,038.013c patīn antaram āsādya nālaṃ nāryaḥ pratīkṣitum
13,038.014a asaddharmas tv ayaṃ strīṇām asmākaṃ bhavati prabho
13,038.014c pāpīyaso narān yad vai lajjāṃ tyaktvā bhajāmahe
13,038.015a striyaṃ hi yaḥ prārthayate saṃnikarṣaṃ ca gacchati
13,038.015c īṣac ca kurute sevāṃ tam evecchanti yoṣitaḥ
13,038.016a anarthitvān manuṣyāṇāṃ bhayāt parijanasya ca
13,038.016c maryādāyām amaryādāḥ striyas tiṣṭhanti bhartṛṣu
13,038.017a nāsāṃ kaś cid agamyo 'sti nāsāṃ vayasi saṃsthitiḥ
13,038.017c virūpaṃ rūpavantaṃ vā pumān ity eva bhuñjate
13,038.018a na bhayān nāpy anukrośān nārthahetoḥ kathaṃ cana
13,038.018c na jñātikulasaṃbandhāt striyas tiṣṭhanti bhartṛṣu
13,038.019a yauvane vartamānānāṃ mṛṣṭābharaṇavāsasām
13,038.019c nārīṇāṃ svairavṛttānāṃ spṛhayanti kulastriyaḥ
13,038.020a yāś ca śaśvad bahumatā rakṣyante dayitāḥ striyaḥ
13,038.020c api tāḥ saṃprasajjante kubjāndhajaḍavāmanaiḥ
13,038.021a paṅguṣv api ca devarṣe ye cānye kutsitā narāḥ
13,038.021c strīṇām agamyo loke 'smin nāsti kaś cin mahāmune
13,038.022a yadi puṃsāṃ gatir brahma kathaṃ cin nopapadyate
13,038.022c apy anyonyaṃ pravartante na hi tiṣṭhanti bhartṛṣu
13,038.022d*0286_01 duṣṭācārāḥ pāparatā asatyā māyayā vṛtāḥ
13,038.022d*0286_02 adṛṣṭabuddhibahulāḥ prāyeṇety avagamyatām
13,038.023a alābhāt puruṣāṇāṃ hi bhayāt parijanasya ca
13,038.023c vadhabandhabhayāc cāpi svayaṃ guptā bhavanti tāḥ
13,038.024a calasvabhāvā duḥsevyā durgrāhyā bhāvatas tathā
13,038.024b*0287_01 suhṛdy avadyahṛdyās tā vairakopālayāḥ sma tāḥ
13,038.024c prājñasya puruṣasyeha yathā vācas tathā striyaḥ
13,038.025a nāgnis tṛpyati kāṣṭhānāṃ nāpagānāṃ mahodadhiḥ
13,038.025c nāntakaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ na puṃsāṃ vāmalocanāḥ
13,038.026a idam anyac ca devarṣe rahasyaṃ sarvayoṣitām
13,038.026c dṛṣṭvaiva puruṣaṃ hṛdyaṃ yoniḥ praklidyate striyaḥ
13,038.026d*0288_01 susnātaṃ puruṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā sucandanalavokṣitam
13,038.026d*0288_02 yoniḥ svadyati nārīṇāṃ dṛteḥ pādād ivodakam
13,038.027a kāmānām api dātāraṃ kartāraṃ mānasāntvayoḥ
13,038.027c rakṣitāraṃ na mṛṣyanti bhartāraṃ paramaṃ striyaḥ
13,038.028a na kāmabhogān bahulān nālaṃkārārthasaṃcayān
13,038.028c tathaiva bahu manyante yathā ratyām anugraham
13,038.029a antakaḥ śamano mṛtyuḥ pātālaṃ vaḍavāmukham
13,038.029c kṣuradhārā viṣaṃ sarpo vahnir ity ekataḥ striyaḥ
13,038.030a yataś ca bhūtāni mahānti pañca; yataś ca lokā vihitā vidhātrā
13,038.030c yataḥ pumāṃsaḥ pramadāś ca nirmitās; tadaiva doṣāḥ pramadāsu nārada


SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM

salavrkanam strinam ca
svairininam sura-dvisah
sakhyany ahur anityani
nutnam nutnam vicinvatam


Mohini-murti said-

SB 8.9.10: O demons, as monkeys, jackals and dogs are
unsteady in their sexual relationships and want newer and
newer friends every day, women who live independently seek
new friends daily. Friendship with such a woman is never
permanent. This is the opinion of learned scholars.


visama-matir na yatra nrnam
tvam aham iti mama taveti ca yad anyatra
visama-dhiya racito yah
sa hy avisuddhah ksayisnur adharma-bahulah

Kasyapa muni to Diti -

SB 6.18.41: A woman's face is as attractive and beautiful
as a blossoming lotus flower during autumn. Her words are
very sweet, and they give pleasure to the ear, but if we
study a woman's heart, we can understand it to be
extremely sharp, like the blade of a razor. In these circumstances,
who could understand the dealings of a woman?


kah ksemo nija-parayoh
kiyan varthah sva-para-druha dharmena
sva-drohat tava kopah
para-sampidaya ca tathadharmah

SB 6.18.42: To satisfy their own interests, women deal
with men as if the men were most dear to them, but no one is
actually dear to them. Women are supposed to be very
saintly, but for their own interests they can kill even
their husbands, sons or brothers, or cause them to be
killed by others.

urvasy uvaca
ma mrthah puruso 'si tvam
ma sma tvadyur vrka ime
kvapi sakhyam na vai strinam
vrkanam hrdayam yatha

SB 9.14.36: Urvasî said:

My dear King, you are a man, a hero. Don't be impatient and give up your life. Be sober
and don't allow the senses to overcome you like foxes.
Don't let the foxes eat you. In other words, you should
not be controlled by your senses. Rather, you should know that
the heart of a woman is like that of a fox. There is no
use making friendship with women.

striyo hy akarunah krura
durmarsah priya-sahasah
ghnanty alparthe 'pi visrabdham
patim bhrataram apy uta


SB 9.14.37: Women as a class are merciless and cunning.
They cannot tolerate even a slight offense. For their own
pleasure they can do anything irreligious, and therefore
they do not fear killing even a faithful husband or
brother.

vidhayalika-visrambham
ajnesu tyakta-sauhrdah
navam navam abhipsantyah
pumscalyah svaira-vrttayah


SB 9.14.38: Women are very easily seduced by men.
Therefore, polluted women give up the friendship of a man
who is their well-wisher and establish false friendship
among fools. Indeed, they seek newer and newer friends,
one after another.

loka-bandhusu meghesu
vidyutas cala-sauhrdah
sthairyam na cakruh kaminyah
purusesu gunisv iva

Sukadeva Gosvami said-

SB 10.20.17: Though the clouds are the well-wishing
friends of all living beings, the lightning, fickle in its
affinities, moved from one group of clouds to another,
like lusty women unfaithful even to virtuous men.

na tathasya bhavet kleso
bandhas canya-prasangatah
yosit-sangad yatha pumso
yatha tat-sangi-sangatah

Krishna to Uddhava-

SB 11.14.30: Of all kinds of suffering and bondage arising
from various attachments, none is greater than the
suffering and bondage arising from attachment to women and
intimate contact with those attached to women.