Jain Legend Vol 4

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

Page 97

agreement the spiritual discourse started between the two parties on Vai kha ukl Prim in 1181 in Pa a a. Heated contention persisted between the two logicians regarding the liberation of women. r Kumudacandra presenting his argumentation said, “No being born as a woman can attain liberation. Categorically, a woman possesses less stamina, and hence can be considered as a feeble being. All those beings in this world that have less strength and vitality, for example, boys, frail youth and enervated woman, no matter how many they are, cannot attain salvation. Citing these facts, I present my defence that a woman being languid and a weakling cannot attain salvation in the same birth."
When Digambar c rya Kumudacandra presented his line of reasoning,
vet mbar c rya Deva S ri dissenting his opponent's theory put forward his remonstration, “Women are also equipotent with the virile men and have great strength. Hence women also can attain liberation in the same birth itself. Scriptures provide enough evidences to prove this fact. Marudev , mother of Vabha Deva attained liberation in the same birth itself. In this Avasarpi age, the first person who got liberation was the mother Marudev . This is clearly mentioned in the scriptures written by omniscient sages. So the logic presented by Digambar c rya is gratuitous and speculative as they were unsupported by any proven facts. Even today we see that women have great fortitude. The living example is Mah dev Maya allam , the mother of the king of vast Gurjara kingdom. Women of great moral sinew like the chaste St, Mother Kunt, Subhadr et al, existed in ancient times. Their bravery and courage was eulogised not only in our epics, but also written in scriptures of other religious books written by ancient sages. Is there anyone in this just and equitable court who stands in defiance that the great personalities like St, Kunt and our own Queen Mother Maya allam are weaklings? I am sure that even my revered friend r Kumudacandra cannot act impudently. As far as salvation of women is concerned, the instance of mother Marudev 's salvation in the same birth, elucidated in the scriptures is as clear as one's own reflection in a mirror. Apart from this, some women are more capable and stalwart than men. Hence many a great number of women obtained salvation in the past.
In the present times also in five great Videha regions women are en route to deliverance and moreover in the future zillions of women will attain liberation in the same birth itself. I would conclude that my expostulation
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