Jaina Philosophy Historical Outline

Author(s): Narendra Nath Bhattacharya
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

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Introduction
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The eight forms of Hindu marriage are recognised, but only Prājāpatya form is encouraged. One must marry a girl who is of one's own caste. But the girl must belong to a different gotra or patrilineal group. The patriarchal structure of the Jain society naturally discourages the pratiloma (a man's right to marry a woman of a higher caste than that of his own) system of marriage. The exact number of gotras prevailing in the Jain community is not definitely known. Traditionally there are 84 gotras, but we have nearly 150 gotra-names from different Jain texts. Cross-cousin marriage is neither allowed nor practised by the Jains of Northern India, but in the Deccan and Karņāțaka it is usually encouraged. Among the Karņāțaka Jains matrilocal marriage is also allowed. This shows that the institution of Jain marriage has been influenced by local customs. The dowry system is widely and very strongly prevalent among the Jains. Marriage is usually considered as a permanent union, but under specific conditions it can be dissolved and the bride is free to marry again. There are also provisions for widow-remarriage. Divorce is recognised among certain castes. But all these are looked down upon by those who claim to belong to the supposed higher castes. Once polygamy was widely practised.
The development of the aforesaid patriarchal feelings was evidently due to the consolidation of the economic power in the hands of the males which happened almost all over the world under certain historical conditions. Hence we cannot blame the Jains for their patriarchal attitude towards women. However, Jain tradition itself shows that subordination of women was not an original and essential feature of Jainism. The Kalapasūtra says that 3,000 females achieved liberation under Neminātha and as many as 20,000 under Pārsvanātha, while in the time of Mahāvīra the number of Sādhvīs and Śrāvikās rose to 36,000 and 3,18,000 respectively. A large number of women in the history of the Jains distinguished themselves as teachers and preachers. Malli, although a woman, rose to the status of Tīrthamkara. In social life, despite patriarchal restrictions, unmarried women are entitled to maintenance out of the family property. The Stridhana (whatever is received at the time of marriage by the bride) entirely belongs to the wife. In the absence of sons, daughters are entitled to inherit their paternal wealth. On the death of a person without a son
Trivarnikācāra, XI: Jain K.P., in IHO, IV. pp. 148ff; Jain J.C. LAI, pp. 155ff; Jain Ç.R., JL, pp. 42ff; Upadhye in JA, II, p. 61; Sangave, JCSS, pp. 137-77.