“The crisscross pattern is simply decoration. After mopping the floor nicely, this kind of painting with coloured rice powder is still prevailing in Hindu families of South India. It is called alipna, or in other words after cleansing the rooms and floors such kind of auspicious paintings are done every morning or in ceremony. In Bhagavad-gita it is said that they are part and parcel of religious life. In most cases these engagements are meant for women. Women must be engaged, otherwise they will be inclined to think of sex only. They are called kamini. Unless there is sufficient engagement their only thoughts will be concentrated on sex.
As men are engaged in devotional service, similarly women are engaged in ritualistic engagements so that household life becomes auspicious. These things are at the present moment impossible to perform regularly. Lord Caitanya therefore recommended: harer name eva kevalam. Practically also we see our students engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna mantra keeping free of all contamination. The Vedic system takes especially care of women from illicit sex life. Illicit sex life is so dangerous that it produces unwanted children who create hellish life as described in the Bhagavad-gita. In this age, all over the world, the sex indulgence is being unrestricted and religious principles are not being followed. The population is increasing with unwanted children like hippies. So these systems are very scientific but it is [page missing]”
(SPL to Satsvarupa, August 25th, 1971)
“You ask about marriage, yes, actually I want that every woman in the Society should be married. But what is this training to become wives and mothers? No school is required for that, simply association. And it is not necessary to say that women only can instruct girls and men only can instruct boy, not when they are so young. At 12 years, they may be initiated. A woman’s real business is to look after household affairs, keeping everything neat and clean, and if there is sufficient milk supply available, she should always be engaged in churning butter, making yogurt, curd, so many nice varieties, simply from milk. The woman should be cleaning, sewing, like that. So if you simply practice these things yourselves and show examples, they will learn automatically, one doesn’t have to give formal instruction in these matters.”
(SPL to Caya dasi, February 16th, 1972)