________________
Position of women
182
preserve social order (I.107). The fulfilment of their desire in in pregnancy Dohada) is mentioned in the poem (XI.3,6).
Women observed Vratas also. Those who observe Vrata for four months are called Cāturmāsikā. Others fasting for forty-eight days are called Aștācatvārimśyā (XVII.50). They could become a mendicant and could celibate throughout their life. Such like women are called Kumārapravrăjitā (V.96).
Besides domestic duties, They performed some outer jobs also. In villages, women protected fields, corn and fruit and harvest the crops (Ku.V.70-71). Women selling garland, flowers and other such like objects are also mentioned (XVIII.33-34). Their domestic duties were to cut the wood and to milk the cows (XIII.25).
The women of non-Aryan races accompanied their husbands to the battle-field also (IV.57,77). Even in Aryan tribes female-servants or wives of high officials accompanied their husbands in the battle-field (II1.129). They inspired warriors to fight (V.111). While explainig the words like Pañcarāma or Triramabhorú, Abhayatilakagņi has remarked that these women were bought for five or three prisoner women or so. This indicates that they were captured in the battle. field and were sold later on. It was prevalent amongst some aboriginal tribes (IV.92).
Personally, Hemacandra has severely condemned the company of women (Ku. VII.9). The sexual relations with female servants are also referred to. The rich offered grains as the price of sexual relations (III.20).
Prostitution : The group of harlots is called Gāņikya. The attitude of society towards prostitution does not appear to be encouraging. Abhayatilaka explains this institution as
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
