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congregation and Celanā (aunt of Mahāvīra and wife of King Śreņika, staunch Buddhist and later converted to Jainism) and head of women householder wing of the congregation.
ii. Jain women becoming good administrators and causing Jain ethos and practices to
proper by building temples, writing holy texts and showing their mettle as excellent administrators.
History off medieval Karnataka is full of women who supported their husbands engaged as prime ministers or even kings in the just rule and administration and later on when needed to take over the reins in their own hand. Detailed accounts can be seen from 7th century AD till 14th century AD with names like Kandacchi wife of Paramagula of Nirgunda family in gth century AD, Jakkiyabbe widow of Kalivittarasa of Keki devaysa-ont in 911AD, mother of Cāmaunda Rāi, Chief of Calukya king (981AD) who had the great idol of Bāhubali built at Shravanbelgola. The history of Karnataka is full of many more such women.
iii. Jain women ascetics The ninth Jain canon Jňātadhārma-katha is full of thousands of women who became renouncers during the times of 22nd and 24th fordmaker Neminātha and Mahāvīra. These women practiced extreme austerities and are said to even have attained liberation.
We also find stories of sixteen renouncers (popularly known as Satis) like Sītā, Damayanti, Anjanā, Sulocanā, Mainā Sundari, Somā, Anantamati etc who are widely read and admired in the community
We also find stories of householders like Manomati (famous for Gajmoti), Rohini (for five vows) etc who practiced Jain vows and lead an exemplary life.
In the modern times we know of HH Mrgāvati, Gyanamati, Chandanaji and a number of other Jain nuns who are respected and admired more than Jain monks.
iv. Deities Jain texts give details of yaksa and yakşini associated with each of the twenty four fordmaker. These couples are said to have been in service of the fordmaker and later on became a vehicle to bestow special favours on the devotees. Ambikā of 22nd fordmaker Neminātha and Padmāvati of 23rd fordmaker Pārsvanātha are very popular deities and worshipped almost like the fordmaker.
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