Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 636

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The strength of unity.
The dharma not to be regarded as an elegant heirloom.61 In enlarging on the theme"Self-sufficiency", she stresses once again the way in which servants should be treated. Hiṁsā, she says, is not merely a question of wounding, killing, causing blood to flow, but it is also to make use of others for one's own advantage, to turn them into slaves, into sweated labour. Let the Jainas first abolish among themselves this form of slavery and lighten the burdens of others by labouring themselves!62
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Khadi and the Jaina dharma: acting as a mouth piece for Gandhiji, she sets forth very clearly, from the Jaina point of view, the advantages of khādi, handwoven cloth. On the one hand, this type of weaving avoids himsă which is unavoidable in cloth mills, and on the other hand it provides a livelihood for large numbers of persons and especially for village women who can take up weaving as a homecraft. She exhorts the whole Jains community to encourage this group of artisans and to wear khadi themselves.63
The Unknown Pilgrims
On the potential of women and their duty in society: she reminds her hearers of the worship addressed to the goddesses Saravati, Lakṣmi and Kāli, personnifying respectively knowledge, wealth and energy; that, within Indian culture, moreover, womankind has not always been relegated to a back seat. She raises her voice against a certain masculine mentality that considers woman to be inferior. What is this strength" of which men speak? If strength means physical strength, woman, it is true, possesses less than man, but if
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61 Cf. Ujjvala Vāņi, 1951, chs. 1-7; 10.
62 Ibid., ch. 13.
Two remarks here: firstly, it is well-known that of the great industrialists, owners of important textile factories, especially in Gujarāta, several are Jainas; secondly, after more than thirty years of independence, during which a strong boost has been administered to industry, it is now recognised that the rural population and the craftsmen have been neglected. Thus there is now, though somewhat on the late side, a reversion to certain forms of handcraft and handwcaving is also being encouraged anew.