Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 330

Thus, he proclaimed that women also are equally entitled to the practice of Spiritual-exertion and can help themselves and others for spiritual elevation.
If the very influential c ryas like rya Mah giri, rya Suhast, rya Vajra, Y kini Mahattar Snu, rya Haribhadra, etc., were able to do significant services to the Jain Order, and for the welfare and progress of their people, and could succeed in their missions, it is because of the immense contribution of female-ascetics.
Introduction about important rama s like Candana B1, Mg vati, et al, who lived before Mah v ra's nirva, is given in brief in the first part of this volume; and introduction about the important rama s from after nirv a to 1000 years V.N., whatever available information about them is presented in the current text.
Candana B 1
ryik Candana B l was the first woman ascetic disciple of Lord Mah v ra. She was the head and administrator of a vast community of
rama s. Candana Bala was the daughter of Dadhiv hana, the King of Camp Nagari and Queen Dh ri Dev. Lord Mah v ra during his 'Chadmasta' time (imperfect stage or prior to 12" stage of spiritual purification, when absolute knowledge was not yet attained), performed a very long penance with a very severe pre condition for breaking the fast (abhigraha) and broke the fast, accepting food from the hands of Candana B 1. Hence, it is not an exaggeration to say that of all female monks of the current descending half cycle of time; Candana B 1 is the most fortunate one (meritorious). She had to undergo terrible adversities even in her childhood, as dreadful political calamity took place in Camp Nagari. The life of Candana B l was described briefly in the firstvolume of this series. The young celibate and great lady ascetic Candana B 1 gave initiation to thousands of women like princesses, daughters of merchants, queens, wives of attendants and the salvation-desirous women from all walks of life, into rama Dharma and led them through the path of deliverance. Lord Mah v ra himself appointed her as the head of the rama community and in that capacity she managed very efficiently a very large Female monk-congregation of 36,000 female-ascetics. The propagator Candana BI never allowed even
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