Looking at every woman other than your lawful wife as a mother(mataji)

According to Vedic civilization, nobody can mix with other's wife or other woman. Even in moral principle, as Cā?akya Pa??ita said, māt?vat para-dāre?u. "All women should be treated just like?mother." Not like the present society. Formerly, every?woman should be addressed as?"mother," Mātājī. And now they have invented "Bahinjī." No.?Woman should be addressed as?"mother." Māt?vat para-dāre?u. Srila Prabhupada lecture Lecture on BG 4.14 -- Vrndavana, August 6, 1974

Lecture on BG 4.14-19 -- New York, August 3, 1966:?And according to Cā?akya Pa??ita. Cā?akya, he was a great politician, and he says... Now, what is the standard of education? Standard of education. Now, he has given very nice, three words, three words for standard of education, who is perfect in education. He says,

māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat

ātmavat sarva-bhūte?u ya? pa?yati sa pa??ita?

Pa??ita. This pa??ita. This pa??ita, explanation of pa??ita.

Now, who is a pa??ita? Now, māt?vat para-dāre?u: "He is the learned man who sees all women as his?mother." Except one's married wife, one should?see every woman as his mother. Māt?vat. Māt? means?mother. Vat means just like. Māt?vat para-dāre?u. Para-dāre?u means other women except one's own wife, married wife.

The concept of seeing every woman other than your lawful wife as a mother (mataji) is a cultural and religious one that is often found in South Asia, especially in Bharat. It is based on the idea that women are to be respected and revered, and that they should be treated with the same kind of love and care that one would give to their own mother.

There are a number of reasons why this concept is important. First, it helps to promote gender equality and respect for women. Second, it can help to reduce violence against women. Third, it can help to create a more harmonious and peaceful society.

Of course, there are also some challenges associated with this concept. For example, it can be difficult to see every woman as a mother, especially if you have had negative experiences with women in the past. Additionally, it can be difficult to maintain this level of respect and reverence in all situations.

However, the benefits of this concept outweigh the challenges. By seeing every woman as a mother, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.

Lecture on SB 1.3.13 -- Los Angeles, September 18, 1972:?So senses are so strong. Balavān indriya-grāma?. It is prohibited. What to speak of others. Therefore, the common moral teachings and the Vedic civilization is to accept any woman except his own wife as?mother. Māt?vat para-dāre?u. Para-dāre?u. Everyone is supposed to be married. Dāra means wife. Para-dāre?u, other's wife. It doesn't matter if she is younger or older, but she should be treated as?mother. Therefore it is the system in Vedic culture, as soon as one sees another woman, she (he) addresses her, "mother," Mātājī. Immediately, "mother." That makes the relationship. The woman treats the unknown man as son, and the unknown man treats the unknown woman as?mother. This is Vedic civilization. So we should be very careful. In our society, you are all Godbrothers, Godsisters. Or those who are married, they are like mothers. So you should be very careful. Then you will remain dhīra, sober. That is brahminical qualification, brahminical culture. Not that "Because I have got facilities to intermingle with nice girls, so I shall take advantage and exploit them." Or the girls should take... No. Therefore our restriction: no illicit sex. Dhīra means must be gentle, perfectly gentle. Must?address all woman as?"mother." Māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat. This is the training, that one should consider other's wife as?mother, and others' money as like garbage in the street. Nobody cares for it. Similarly, one's other's money should not be touched. Even it is somebody has forgotten his purse, moneybag on the street, nobody will touch it. Let the man come back and take it. That is civilization.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks with Srila Prabhupada

Yes. And treat it like mother. Not only call, but treat it like mother... Learn it. At least mother should not be proposed for sex. This much you can learn. Māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat, ātmavat sarva-bhūte?u

Morning Walk -- October 25, 1975, Mauritius:

Prabhupāda: No, culture... They adopt real culture. What do they know about culture? They're killing their own children in the womb, and they're cultured? Worse than the animals. The animals do not do that. These rascals, they are cultured? So wretched and fallen, and they are claiming to be cultured.

Harike?a: So you can't culture a superior man unless you are one yourself.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Harike?a: It's not possible to culture a superior man unless you are one yourself.

Prabhupāda: Yes. First of all be yourself a cultured man, a gentleman. You are worse than animals. What animals cannot do, you are doing. Hare K???a. (break) ...man is defined by Cā?akya Pa??it.

māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat

ātmavat sarva-bhūte?u ya? pa?yati sa pa??ita?

Here is culture. First thing is, any woman except one's own wife.

Pu??a K???a: What is that, ?rīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Any woman should be looked upon as mother. This is culture. Except his married wife, all women should be treated as mother. The brahmacārīs were taught like that, "Mother." This is culture. Simply they are trying to elope other's wife, other's woman, exploit them. And they're cultured. There is no culture at the present moment. Māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat: "And others' money should be treated just like pebbles in the street." Nobody cares for it. So they are simply making plans how to grab others' money. And ātmavat sarva bhūte?u: "And if you feel pains and pleasure, you should consider for others also." If your throat is cut, then do you feel very happy? Why you are cutting the throats of the poor animals? Where is culture? There is no culture. Simply rogues and thieves and rascals and fools. Where is culture? They do not know what is the meaning of culture. Here is culture, three words:

māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat

ātmavat sarva-bhūte?u ya? pa?yati sa pa??ita?

He is cultured.

Pu??a K???a: Otherwise just animal.

Prabhupāda: Simply animal.

Pu??a K???a: It is very logical.

Devotee:??rīla Prabhupāda, should we call all the women?"mother"?

Prabhupāda: Yes. And treat it like mother. Not only call, but treat it like mother.

Harike?a: Actually we have not even any idea how to treat mother.

Prabhupāda: Learn it. At least mother should not be proposed for sex. This much you can learn. Māt?vat para-dāre?u para-dravye?u lo??ravat, ātmavat sarva-bhūte?u. (break)

Here are some specific examples of how this concept can be applied in everyday life:

• When you are interacting with a woman, you should use respectful language and avoid making any sexist or derogatory comments.
• You should be mindful of your actions and avoid doing anything that could make a woman feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
• You should be willing to help women out, especially if they are in need.
• Teach them Hare Krishna chanting which is a process of elevating consciousness and helping them get out of the cycle of birth and death