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JAIN JOURNAL
Sri Anandaghanaji, the great Jaina ascetic of the 17th century, while on journey through the Medta city of Rajasthan found that the daughter of a Siesthi or merchant-prince was going to burn herself on the death of her husband.17 The great ascetic gave her advice regarding life, soul and the physical existence. Then he recited the hymns of Jinesvara Rsabhadeva. 18 This recital deeply impressed the woman and brought a significant change in her mind and she returned home.
All the above mentioned facts make it clear that the messages preached by the Jaina ascetics as well as their active persuations saved the precious life of many distressed women who discovered a new significance of life and were assured that they too had a place under the sun and an important role to play in the social and spiritual life in this world.
13 Anandaghana-pada-sangraha, p. 158. 18 Anandaghana Granthabali, p. 259.
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