FolioCorpusCaitanya-caritāmṛta

Caitanya-caritāmṛta 13.114

durvā, dhānya, gorocana, haridrā, kuṅkuma, candana, maṅgala-dravya pātra bhariyā vastra-gupta dolā caḍi’ saṅge lañā dāsī ceḍī, vastrālaṅkāra peṭāri bhariyā
[durvaa, dhaanya, gorochana, haridraa, kunkuma, chandana, mangala-dravya paatra bhariyaa vastra-gupta dolaa chadi’ sange lanaa daasee chedee, vastraalankaara petaari bhariyaa]
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
durvā, dhānya, gorocana, haridrā, kuṅkuma, candana, maṅgala-dravya pātra bhariyā vastra-gupta dolā caḍi’ saṅge lañā dāsī ceḍī, vastrālaṅkāra peṭāri bhariyā
Riding in a palanquin covered with cloth and accompanied by maidservants, Sītā Ṭhākurāṇī came to the house of Jagannātha Miśra, bringing with her many auspicious articles such as fresh grass, paddy, gorocana, turmeric, kuṅkuma and sandalwood. All these presentations filled a large basket.

The words vastra-gupta dolā are very significant in this verse. Even fifty or sixty years ago in Calcutta, all respectable ladies would go to a neighboring place riding on a palanquin carried by four men. The palanquin was covered with soft cotton, and in that way there was no chance of seeing a respectable lady traveling in public. Ladies, especially those coming from respectable families, could not be seen by ordinary men. This system is still current in remote places. The Sanskrit word asūrya-paśyā indicates that a respectable lady could not be seen even by the sun. In the oriental culture this system was very prevalent and was strictly observed by respectable ladies, both Hindu and Muslim. We have actual experience in our childhood that our mother would not walk even next door to observe an invitation; rather, she would go in either a carriage or a palanquin carried by four men. This custom was also strictly followed five hundred years ago, and the wife of Advaita Ācārya, being a very respectable lady, observed the customary rules current in that social environment.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
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