Jain Journal 1994 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 36

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL XXIX, NO. 1, JULY 1994
detailed study. Ranna also endorses the idea that the practice of sati was a socio-religious virtue:
A widow, according to him, has two alternatives: (a) to follow her husband by observing sati; (b) to observe Jina Vrata, i.e., Jina diksacharana, i.e., to strive for
a higher spiritual progress. 45 Attimobbe opted for the latter, and proved herself to an excellent architect of Jainism.
It is obviously true that a Jaina widow was not subjected to hard and fast rules. The social code of conduct did not impose on her such customs and traditions which have been imposed on a widow in the Brahninical society. The composer of the conduct codes on widows in Jainism seems to have been more liberal and compassionate in spirit; as such, the Jaina society was free from the influence of the vedíc Brahminical customs in this sphere. However, a widow is compelled to observe Desaprata, which denotes the observance of the Anurata, Gunavrata and Sikshavrata. In other words, it constitutes the observance of partial and multiplicatory and disciplinary vows - Right belief, equanimity, celibacy, fasting, renouncing animal food, worldly occupations, worldly possessionsall these constitute partial vow and thus signify Desavrata. In practice, her faculties were concentrated on activities that conformed to the precept of utilitarianism. This, in fact, enabled a widow to devotė herself more and more to philanthropic activities. 46 So, Jainism did not deprive a widow of an esteemed place in the socio-religious life, and enabled her to become an active architect or Jainism. The best example of this type was Attimobbe. Attimobbe had, possibly, spent her last days and years at Lakhundi, which, in spite of being an agrahara of 1000 mahajanas, also appears to have been a centre of Jainism. The Lakkundi inscription refers to a storied and well-forHified house where Attimobbe was residing. 47 Whether, or not, Kakkundi was the capital city of Anniga, cannot be affirmed, due to the non-availability of sources.
45. Pandit Nagarajaiah, op.cit., St: 16. 46. Ratnakarandaka Sravakachara, Ch. 3, Charitrasara. Banduvarma, Satidhar
masara, (Ed.): B. S. Sannaiah. 47. SII, Vol. XI, No. 52, Sts: 71-73.