Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.11.28
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyMarriage Should Support Spiritual Progress
“A chaste woman should not be greedy, but satisfied in all circumstances. She must be very expert in handling household affairs and should be fully conversant with religious principles. She should speak pleasingly and truthfully and should be very careful and always clean and pure. Thus a chaste woman should engage with affection in the service of a husband who is not fallen.”
What the purport teaches
- A chaste wife should be satisfied, free from greed, skilled in household affairs and familiar with religious principles. Her speech should be pleasing and truthful, and her service affectionate, attentive and pure.
- The purport says that a wife is not meant to be a slave to a fallen husband. It recommends living separately if he is addicted to illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling or intoxication.
- The conclusion is that the husband should be a pure Vaiṣṇava and the wife should have the qualities described here. Together they can be happy and make spiritual progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Try this today
In one household conversation today, speak both truthfully and pleasingly.
Ask yourself
How can my speech and conduct better support spiritual progress at home?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.