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(59) Engaging in vine combat (60) Showing much as little and little as much (61) Making the hilt of a sword, etc. (62) Possessing the skill of archery (63) Preparing silver alloy (64) Preparing gold alloy (65) Piercing threads (66) Plowing fields (67) Piercing the stem of a lotus (68) Cutting leaves (69) Piercing hard earrings, etc. (70) Reviving the dead and unconscious (71) Making the living dead (or lifeless) and (72) Recognizing the speech of crows, owls, and other birds.
In this way, Dhanyakumara became proficient in seventy-two arts. His nine limbs - two ears, two eyes, two nostrils, tongue, skin, and mind - which were dormant and had an indistinct consciousness in childhood, became awakened. He became skilled in eighteen regional languages. He became adept in horse-combat, elephant-combat, chariot-combat, and hand-to-hand combat. He gained the ability to crush his opponents with his own arms. He acquired the capacity to enjoy sensual pleasures. Due to his courage, he became a night-wanderer, i.e., one who can travel even in the middle of the night.
Explanation - After the completion of the second chapter, Jambusvami again asked Sudharmasvami - "Venerable one! I have heard the meaning of the second chapter. Now, kindly enlighten me about the meaning of the third chapter as well, so that I may also understand it."
In response, Sri Sudharmasvami expounded - "O Jambu! The omniscient ascetic Lord Mahavira, who attained liberation, has expounded ten studies in the third chapter. The first study is about the life story of Dhanyakumara."
By reading this study, we come to know about the advanced state of the female gender at that time. The women of that era were not dependent on men like the women of the present age, but rather they themselves engaged in trade and other activities, being equal to men. They had complete knowledge about trade and other matters. Here, the merchant woman named Bhadra herself conducted the trade business, and the remarkable thing is that she was not subdued by anyone - she was not suppressed. This description paints a picture of the female gender having reached the pinnacle of progress. They also attained liberation like the men.