________________
154
THE WAY OF LIFE
things when you are at home; but when you accompany me, you must be absolutely modern. You must be free in the company of my friends so that they may say, “These two are free in their thoughts and actions”. Do you agree?"
On that day, she heard calmly and patiently what he said, but on some other day, finding a suitable opportunity, she said to her husband; “I am prepared to agree to your suggestions and to abide by your wishes; but before that you please listen to what I have to say; and think about it. After that I will act according to your wishes. If you desire to see me in the so called modern dress and decorations, I will put them on and appear before you. But I do not like to wear such dress and decorations and exhibit my beauty to the whole world. My beauty is to be seen by you; not by the world. The world is always a prey to beauty. I have married you; and you have a complete authority over me. I know very well that you are extremely fond of me and that your love for me is almost unexampled, and I also know that my greatest duty is to be loyal and faithful to you. If your friends visit us, I will treat them with due respect and hospitality in our house. But my objective will always be to safeguard and protect my chastity and character and our noble traditions. I am an Indian woman; and I belong to a cultured Jain family. I like to live within the limits of ethical excellence. I can accompany you to those places but we should not go to such places because there our values and principles get upset. Please tell me if I do not appear beautiful in Indian dress and ornaments. Please do not drag me into that mire which you call “modernity", and please allow me to live in conformity with my principles”.
The young man kept listening to his wife's words. He saw truth in her words. He gave up his insistence. Not only that, he also gradually reduced going to clubs, parties and movies. He too came to like and adore the Indian dress and decorations. But how many such men are there in society ? How many men are there who pay heed to the true and well-meant words of their wives? "I know everything. I am sensible and sane". The men who have such pride do not care for the true and sensible suggestions of their wives. “You do not know anything.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
