ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 449

These acts greatly enhanced the prestige of women in the society and diverted the oppressed widows from the ills like self burning (sati prath ) 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, br hmanas, traders and udras 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 Adinath'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. Mah vra 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:
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 MaruDevi (mother of Lord Adin th), Sunand and Sumangal, wives of Lord
din th and mothers of Bharat & Br hmi and B hubali & Sundari respectively. Mothers of other twenty three fordmaker are also mentioned. Except Tr al , mother of Lord Mah vra, others names are mentioned only
We also find details of R jul or R imati, fiancé of 22nd fordmaker Nemi N th who on the eve of wedding became a renouncer along with Lord Nemin th.
Tr al , mother of Lord Mah v ra is described in details in the texts. Similarly we find detailed mention of Candana (slave and aunt of Mah vra) appointed as head of the nun's wing of the congregation and Celan (aunt of Mah vra and wife of King re ka, staunch Buddhist and later converted to Jainism) and head of women householder wing of the congregation.
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 reigns in their own hand. Detailed accounts can be seen from 7th century AD till 14h century AD with names like Kandacchi wife of Paramagula of Nirgunda family in 8 century AD, Jakkiyabbe widow of Kalivittarasa of Keki devaysa-ont in 911AD, mother of Camaunda Rai, Chief of Calukya king (981 AD) who had the great idol of Bahubali built at Sravanbelgola. The history of Karnataka is full of many more such women.
iii.
Jain women ascetics
The ninth Jain canon J tadh rma kath is full of thousands of women who became renouncers during the times of 22nd and 24th fordmaker Nemi Nath and Mah vra. 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 Sita, Damayanti, Anjana, Sulocana, Maina Sundri, Soma, Anantmati 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 Mrgavati, Gyan mati, Candanaji and a number of other Jain nuns who are respected and admired more than Jain monks.
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0