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B.1.2.3.1
Gender discussions in Jainism and its texts
Dr. Shugan C Jain
The subject of gender is reviewed primarily in the context of inequalities between man and woman over the ages in India. These differences will be reviewed with the concept itself and the assignment of their rights and duties, dos and donts in the society by Vedic and Non Vedic traditions in India. The analysis will start from early times say 2600 years ago till now with major emphasis on views in Jainism on the subject and the impact on today's society. The paper will discuss the following as per Jain texts and the society today:
1.0 Preamble: Historically speaking, whether it was in ancient India or medieval India, or even the whole world; the status of women was never good. A present day woman would feel outraged, and rightly so, if she goes through the contents of the Manusmrti, which is particularly harsh against women and treats them with disdain and suspicion as, indicated below:
Her father protects (her) in childhood, her husband protects (her) in youth, and her sons protect (her) in old age; a woman is never fit for independence.1
According to Hinduism we also find mention as 'a woman is a form of energy (Śaktisvarūpini) or an aspect of Sakti. She is mātā, the Mother Goddess, or devī the auspicious one. As a young child she is kanyā, the goddess Durgā. As a wife she is patniand saha-dharmacārini, a partner in her husband's religious duties. As a mother she is worthy of worship (matrudevobhava)'. Accordingly we find several eminent scholars and poets saying different things about women as indicative in the verse: meaning: Where a woman is worshipped, gods live there. Where they are not worshipped, then all the activities performed there are worthless. 2
Kāryesu mantri karanasu dāsi bhojyesu mātā śayaneşu rambhal Hārso (a) nukālā kşamayā dharitri māvi ca sādū unya vaviha durlabhāll
Manusmrti, 9.3 2 Yatra nāryastu pūjyante ramante tatra devatäh/ Yatraitāstu na pujyante sarvaustaträfalah kriyah // Manusmrti, 3. 56
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
