This book discusses all the important aspects of a woman’s life, such as marriage, childbirth, education, and career, and provides the authorized Vedic perspective on them, being full of relevant quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings and theśāstras. It encourages open-minded readers to question their own preconceived notions and the fact that today’s society largely rejects traditional culture, which was superior, as primitive and exploitative. It describes in detail how accepting the real Vedic culture is not only benef icial for society in general but is particularly so for the members of ISKCON, as it provides an atmosphere which is most conducive for practicing spiritual life.

Women: masters or mothers? It is not actually a question of being one or the other. As Bhakti Vikāsa Mahārāja explains: “In Vedic culture, a woman may certainly be a ‘master’ in the sense of overseeing and being the queen of the home, or in the sense of being highly expert.” This book suggests that women do not have to necessarily work with other men outside of their homes to be “empowered,” but instead have a more powerful contribution to make by following their innate tendencies and being ideal wives and mothers at home by ensuring that the family is well taken care of. The need of the hour is indeed to return to traditional gender roles for, as Mahārāja points out, “ISKCON already has many devotees competent to deliver learned lectures, but we have yet to demonstrate to the world a better way of life based on stable, happy families.” This book is a must-read for both men and women, because they must work together towards having stable Vaiṣṇava families across the entire ISKCON society.