World of Jainism

SR No.: 011111
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vishvanath Pandey
Publisher: Vishvanath Pandey
Total Pages: 129
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 11 MB

Page 45

THE WORLD OF JAINISM
It seems Haribhadia was not in favour of the system of veil, though it was current in his days This is clear from the fact that Kusumavau did not object to allowing her friends to remove her veil which she had put on at the time of marriage But atser mainage she never put it Moreover, there are no refeiences in his works proving that he endorsed the system
Woman had either been extolled or condemned in the changing context of social conditions There are ieferences to show that she was treated as a slave while on the other hand she was worshipped as a goddess It cannot be denied that of the two constituents of the society, namely man and woman, the latter was subordinate This is because of the compulsions of oui civilization which, even if it grants equality of soul in both, assigns a subsei vient role to the woman for practical purposes It did not stop merely at this but it went beyond and proclaimed that she was verily a gate for the entrance to hell As against this there had been some women always who were shining symbols of dignity and divinity beating men in every field of human activity and achievements
In Jaina narrative literature, we come across many a woman who by their acts of ideal conduct and character provided society at large with ennobling and inspiring examples such as queen Prabhavatı and Nılıbai who become objects of worship for gods even on account of their inviolable chastity narati, a princess of the king of Kashmir scored successs in instı umental music and set a brilliant record? Mainasundari had acquired the force of character so much so that she cuied her husband of leprosy " While on the other hand there are illustrations of women such as Nagadatta, Abhayavatı and the wife of Somasarma which point to the disaster caused by these womer. to themselves, to the family and to the society 17
In Jaina narrative literature we will come across a number of incidents in illustration of a woman's right to perform ieligious rites and rituals Just as man, woman also can wash and worship the images and idols of gods and deities She, like a man, can practise vows and take to the life of a nun Reading and studying the scriptures is permitted to her In this respect particularly, Jainism is very broadminded Unlike in other religions, she is qualfied to seek and secure her own salvaton in this very life There are no prohibitions or bans of any type in exei - cising her rights
In temporal and social matters also, she was treated with due respect When the royal assemblies were in session, Jaina kings used to get up from their seats to welcome their queens Not only this, but they offered their own seals to them to share Mahavira, the last Tirthankara of the Jainas, had given a spl) 1tual status to many a deserving women He did not hesitate to