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excellence. In all the fields namely society, business and Dharma, they
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set an ideal example. They were farsighted and had magnetic Y
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personality. As such they were Medhipamanbhooe and Chakkhu-
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bhooe. Their conduct was considered exemplary and upright. It is
said that the path set up by great men is worthy of being followed.
They were examples of this aphorism. Whatever they did was
judicious, respectable and within the parameters of morality.
They were the guides in the religious and social circle. As such
they were Chakkhubhooe. They were giving true advice. They were
good consultants and teachers. They encouraged good activities,
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important social works and persons having good qualities. “Savva
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t kajja Vaddhavae”—They helped performing of good deeds.
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They encouraged persons of ideal moral conduct. These adjectives
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AC explaining the personal andsocial traits ofthe Shravaks indicate that
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o they were worthy ofemulation by the entire Shravak community.
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s RESPECT FOR THE WOMEN e>
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The life-sketches of Shravaks clearly indicate that in that period,
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the women community commanded great respect. Women were
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considered symbol of basic strength, partner in religious activities,
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a friend, an advisor, and was bestowed full honour and respect.
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There was sweetnessin their relations.
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When Anand reaches homeafter listening to the spiritual O
discourse and accepting vows of the householder’s conduct from ASCd
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Bhagavan Mahavir,he tells his wife Shivananda in a friendly voice— +a
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“I have accepted the vows of a householder from the Lord. If you are i
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desirous of accepting these vows, you may also go there, have his
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darshan, listen to his spiritual discourse and accept the religious e
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vows.”
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When Sakdalputra, who wasearlier a great follower of Goshalak, O
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changes his faith and becomes a follower of Bhagavan Mahavir, he .
also in an inspiring tone and not as a directive tells his wife
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Agnimitra—‘I have found the spiritual discourse of Bhagavan A =
Mahavir,his faith, his logic, his moral code, his arguments to be based I
on judicious principles. If you also want to listen to his spiritual
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