1. Bhakta Piyush and Madhavi Devi Dasi, Mayapur, India

    This book makes no apologies for its stand on rules and roles. The controversial topic of the female-bodied soul is ongoing; one should understand it carefully, because it’s not about putting down females but def ining the use of the bodily machine for elevation. Even for the male-bodied there are def ined rules according to one’s duty. In Kṛṣṇa consciousness neither is put down, yet for both male or female a role is def ined within certain parameters, the aim being elevation to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There are two pathways from the f ine to gross, and vice versa – the f inest being spirit soul, where there is no distinction, all being feminine/servitors. Yet this platform is a very elevated position. One cannot, simply by bodily designation, claim to be on the supreme platform, where one of the features is extreme humility. This book attempts to address that issue. Another point that comes out in this topic is that although many of the conf idential associates of Lord Caitanya were sakhīs or mañjarīs, they took male forms on this plane for preaching purposes – something to contemplate and meditate on.