For the past several weeks I've been studying the Bhagavad-Gita as interpreted by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada (wow- what a name!)  As the founder of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, Prabhupada interperets the ancient text within the context of Krsna consciousness, or the belief that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  While there are hundreds of different and often contradictory intepretations of the Gita, Prabhupada's book is one of the most universally recognized and accepted readings of the Gita.  His commentaries are for the most part scriptually based, referencing a multitude of Hindu texts including the Vedas and the Upanishads.  His analysis of the text is very thorough (sometimes too thorough), and his interpretations generally stick closely to the original meanings of the Gita.

Now having said this, I have a few bones to pick with Prabhupada.  First of all, his treatment of women is abhorrent.  In several instances, he refers to women as being "child-like" and inferior to men.  Although the Gita does not suggest such ideas about women, Prabhupada strongly maintains that women are spiritually weak and require the supervision of men.  He also declares that women are less intelligent than men and therefore are not capable of reaching Krsna consciousness on their own.  

I must say I was rather disappointed with Swami Prabhupada's negative treatment of women, particularly since his views were not scriptually based.  Given that the rest of his commentaries are rooted in Hindu scriptures, it's most unfortunate that he chose to express his personal bias against women within the framework of an otherwise impartial reading of the Gita.  Not only does such a bias negate the highly influential role of women in the history of Hinduism, it discredits Prabhupada's reputation as a scholar and interpretor.  It leads me to question his scholarly authority and authenticity, and causes me to speculate about the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of his other interpretations.   

I realize that every individual will add his or her own unique slant to the interpretation of any text, but I can't help but feel cheated and insulted by this blatent act of irresponsibility and ungrounded bigotry.  Why did Prabhupada feel it necessary to badger women so badly in his commentaries?  Why was his hatred of women so strong that he couldn't rise above it in order to provide a bias-free interpretation of the Gita?  What was it about women that frightened him so much?  These questions are obviously rhetorical and will most likely never be answered, but they do merit some contemplation. 

I know very little about the life of Swami Prabhupada, and perhaps some of the answers lie within his childhood or early adult experiences with women.  I'm sure some of it is culturally-based, and some of it undoubtedly was influenced by the era in which he lived.  But what puzzles me is how someone as brilliant and enlightened as he can also be so damn ignorant and bigoted.  If he truly was a master of renunciation, then why couldn't he detatch himself from hatred?  And if he truly believed in the omnipotence of Krsna, then why couldn't he see Krsna in women?  It seems to me that anyone who reaches Krsna consciousness, regardless of their cultural influences or socialization, would be able to recognize the divinity in all life.

Maybe I'm being too hard on him.  Afterall, he is a great scholar and one of the most enlightened beings I've ever encountered.  I suppose that's why I'm so disappointed in his sexist ideologies.  It angers me when someone who is so wise in most areas can be so ignorant in other areas.  We often have a tendency to place spiritual leaders on pedestals and expect them to live up to some great ideal of perfection, but we forget that they are only human just like us.  None of us is without fault, so I can't justifiably criticise him without being a hypocrite.  I guess I should just accept him for who he is, and not for who I wish he were.  All in all, I really liked most of what he had to say, and I plan on reading more of his books in the future.  But damn, it really pisses me off that he comes sooooooo close to being totally cool and then ruins it by slandering half the population!