Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

Page 215

186
Jainism in a Global Perspective
She studied the 18 scripts and taught the science of the scritps to others. Ultimately she became a sadhvi and renounced the world. She inspired as many as three lacs sadhvis and five lacs fifty four thousand vratharini śravikas to follow the path of spiritual advancement. Sundari, next daughter of Rṣabhadeva had profound knowledge of mathematics.
Motherhood is a distinct aspect of woman's personality : Bhagavana Mahavira, himself, did not get initiated to asceticism till his mother was alive. He did so not to hurt the feelings and tenderness of his mother. He has referred to womanhood as motherhood. Jaina scriptures give very inspiring accounts of the mothers of the Tirthankaras and describe them as having noble thoughts, virtuous character and lofty ideals. Bhagavāna Mahāvīra's mother Tṛśala herself had a superbly inspiring character. Tirthankara Sumatinātha's mother Mangala was a learned lady devoted to justice. There are many instances of her keen insight in administering justice. It is not only the Tirthankara who have achieved spiritual advancement, but their mothers too have attained the devaloka, the abode of the gods, through spiritual pursuits. Moreover, the Tirthnkaras who were married before their initiation also express great respect for their wives. Bhagavana Mahavira's wife Yasodhara appreciated the sense of renunciation of her husband and was always eager to see that no harm was done to him. She listened to the preachings of Vardhamana Mahavira in worldly life, with great respect and tried her utmost to put them into practice. When prince Vardhamana left for the 'diksa', the spiritual initiation, she gave him a smiling farewell. Jyestha, the wife of Nandivardhana, Prince Vardhamana's elder brother, remained steadfast in her loyalty to her husband, despite many temptations from the gods.
The early Agamas like, Uttaradhyayana Sūtra', 'Gñāntadharmakathā, 'Antakṛddasa' specifically mention that both men and women are equally eligible for the ultimate goal i.e. liberation. Moreover, there are a number of references to women having attained liberation. According to the Śvetambara tradition Jaina Tirthankara Malli attained 'Kevalajñānain 'Stri Yoni' itself. The most outstanding aspect about Malli is that she attained 'Kevalajñāna on the very day on which she was initiated. For years together she preached religion by roaming in rural and urban areas and showed the people the way to self purification. With the conferring upon the right to