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• Mahāvīra propagated the doctrine of Karma to hold the individuals responsible for their
acts and the results thereof rather than someone else up above. Establish the four fold congregation i.e. male and female ascetics and male and female householders. Women for outnumbered (30000) compared to men (14000) in his congregation
These acts greatly enhanced the prestige of women in the society and diverted the oppressed widows from the ills like self burning (sati prathā) on husband's pyre or leading an oppressed life. Similarly he declared that all living beings are equal rejecting the prevailing thinking of four fold societies into warriors, Brāhmaṇas, traders and sudras by birth. He said one becomes great by his acts and not by birth. He opened his creed to all classes of not only human beings but all living beings. Samantabhadra rightly described his doctrine as Sarvodaya i.e. enlightenment of all.
Jainism as seen earlier has promoted equal status to women since Lord Adinātha's time. However from time to time such reforms keep on getting marginalized and the series of Jain fordmakers keep on reestablishing them again as per the time prevailing. Mahāvīra did the same as can be reaffirmed from historical facts of the society prevailing at that time.
4. Influential women in Jain texts Jain texts are full of women who became eminent primarily as:
i. Mother, wife and daughter; who practiced Jain vows and dedicated to their families uplift
and enhancing moral, ethical values as per Jain scriptures.
We find mention of Maru Devi (mother of Lord Ādinātha), Sunandā and Sumangalā, wives of Lord Ādinātha and mothers of Bharat & Brāhmi and Bahubali & Sundari respectively. Mothers of other twenty three fordmaker are also mentioned. Except Trīšalā, mother of Lord Mahāvīra, others names are mentioned only.
We also find details of Rājula or Rājīmati, fiancé of 22nd fordmaker Neminātha who on the eve of wedding became a renouncer along with Lord Neminātha.
Trīšalā, mother of Lord Mahāvīra is described in details in the texts. Similarly we find detailed mention of Candanā (slave and aunt of Mahāvīra) appointed as head of the nun's wing of the
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