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In Indian ethics and Vedic tradition, woman is not considered merely an earthly entity but a living embodiment of strength, intelligence and tolerance. Acharya Chanakya, the great diplomat, economist and sociologist of ancient India, has made a detailed analysis of many mysteries of society, politics, marriage and human behavior in his famous work ‘Chanakya Niti’. In today’s age of internet and social media, misleading notions are often spread with sensational headlines like ‘These 4 hungers of a woman are never quenched’, whereas in the actual scriptures, the meaning of the word ‘hunger’ is not limited to just filling the stomach i.e. food, but it denotes the natural physical, mental and emotional tendencies of man. Acharya Chanakya, in the 17th verse of the first chapter of his Ethics, has given a comparative description of the four main natural energies and desires of women as compared to men. At the same time, the divine message of Srimad Bhagavad Gita given by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra makes it clear that any kind of uncontrolled desire or craving when it dominates the conscience of the soul, ultimately leads to downfall. It is extremely important to understand the correct, balanced and respectable meaning of these four tendencies in the context of these two great texts.
Acharya Chanakya has written a very famous verse in the first chapter of Chanakya Niti, comparing the physical and mental constitution of men and women:
Women are double, aharo, shy, and fourfold.
Sahasham Shadgunam Chaiva Kamashchaashtagunam Smritah ॥
The literal meaning of this verse is that as compared to men, Aahar (need for food/energy) in women is considered to be double, Lajja (hesitation/decency or intelligence) is considered to be quadruple, Courage is considered to be six times and Kama (creation/love/will power) is considered to be eight times. In many copies, instead of ‘Lajja’, there is mention of ‘Buddhistasam Chaturguna’, which means four times sharp intelligence and decision making ability. When these are presented to the general public as the ‘4 Hungers’, they actually mean these same four basic instincts—the constant need for food, respect/dignity, courage, and love/creation.
According to Chanakya, the diet of a woman is said to be double that of a man. This does not at all mean that women eat more than men or show gluttony. Both medical science and Ayurveda confirm that a woman’s body undergoes extremely complex biological processes—such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and child-rearing. Due to these biological changes, the female body requires constant replenishment of internal energy, micronutrients, calcium and iron. In ancient times, in joint families, women often had food last after serving everyone, due to which they became victims of malnutrition. This formula of Acharya Chanakya was actually meant to alert the society that to keep a woman’s body strong from within, she most needs adequate and nutritious diet. This ‘hunger’ is not for his own self-interest, but is a biological demand to give birth and nurture the entire human generation.
In the second part of the verse, there is mention of ‘Lajja Chapi Chaturguna’ and ‘Buddhistasam Chaturguna’. In Indian culture, shyness is not considered a weakness, but the best ornament and protective shield of a woman. Lajja does not only mean shyness, but also natural hesitation towards self-respect, protection of family reputation and social values. When a woman enters a house as a daughter-in-law or housewife, her biggest natural desire or hunger is that her self-respect, her privacy and her loyalty be respected every moment. More than material ornaments or wealth, he needs a respectable place and recognition in that family. Shri Krishna also says in Geeta that in a society where the modesty and dignity of women is violated, that society and the family very quickly moves towards destruction. Therefore, this desire for respect and dignity does not diminish at any stage of life.
Generally, patriarchal thinking assumes that women are soft and powerless, but breaking this myth, Chanakya clearly wrote that women have six times more courage than men. If history and present are analyzed objectively, whenever there is any crisis for her family, children and clan, a calm and shy looking woman literally takes the form of Chandi and Durga. Enduring the unbearable pain of childbirth with a smile, maintaining patience in adverse family situations and saving the house from disintegration in times of crisis are proof of a woman’s immense self-confidence. This hunger for adventure inspires him to fight, stand firm and protect his loved ones at every turn of life. She never succumbs to the taunts of the society, poverty or disease, but turns every disaster into an opportunity on the strength of her inner determination.
Chanakya’s verse mentions ‘Kamaschaashtagunah Smritaah’, which people with distorted mindset make the mistake of seeing only through the narrow lens of physical sexuality or lust. The broad meaning of ‘Kama’ in Sanskrit literature is not only physical pleasure, but also love, affection, emotional satisfaction and deep desire for creation. The entire existence of a woman is woven from the fabric of love, affection and affection. She does not just ask for bread and clothes from her husband, but she also wants unwavering loyalty, true dedication and emotional closeness. If he does not get respect and unconditional love in his marriage, then even comforts like a palace become useless for him. This ’emotional hunger’ of the joy of motherhood, the joy of raising children and tying the family together in the thread of affection never ends. It remains active in his heart like a flowing holy river till the last moments of his life.
When it comes to the insatiable hunger of desires and cravings, the philosophy of Srimad Bhagavad Gita shows the supreme path of knowledge for the entire mankind (be it man or woman). In the 37th verse of the third chapter of Gita, Lord Shri Krishna clearly says:
Kama esh krodh esh rajogunasamudbhavah.
Mahashano Mahapappa Viddhyaenmih Vairanam ॥
That is, it is Kama (uncontrolled craving for pleasure) that arises from Rajogun and later turns into anger. He is ‘Mahashanah’ i.e. never satiated and excessively eater; Consider this as man’s biggest enemy. Lord Krishna explains to Arjun that just as no matter how much ghee is poured into the fire, instead of being quenched, its flames start burning more, in the same way the thirst of the mind is never quenched by the indulgences of the senses. Gita teaches man that whether it is hunger for food, lust for work or greed for fame and wealth – nothing in the material world can satisfy the hunger of the mind forever unless one takes recourse to selfless action and self-control. Instead of criticizing any one gender, the teachings of Geeta inspire every soul to discipline its inner instincts and become situated in God.
In today’s society, it has become extremely important that we understand the verses of ancient texts in their historical, philosophical and spiritual context. Attempts to prove that women are weak, more lustful or greedy by distorting the practical principles of Chanakya Niti are completely unfair and anti-scripture. Chanakya had directed the society to respect the physical needs of women, her high intellectual capacity, her immense patience and her deep emotional strength. At the same time, Geeta teaches us that instead of running after the momentary hunger of sensual pleasures, the real goal of life is to liberate the soul and follow the path of religion. When a woman gets proper nutrition, dignity, respect and an environment of unconditional love in the family and society, she saves the entire family.