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Anand Shah | Prof. Ulrike Stark 6.8.18
laywoman's spiritual growth and virtue does appear distinct from Hindu orthodox descriptions of
the pativrati. We will now observe the sadhvi more closely and see how her journey into a
deeper spiritual life is portrayed.
Sadhvis
We will include here the stories of the women that cross the threshold from the
laywoman's life to the nun's life, as their stories are centered on the soteriological activity of the
women rather than the lay life. Certainly, the most significant story of all the storied mahasatis is
that of Chandanbala.
Born as Princess Vasumati, she lives a peaceful and spiritual life until her home was
attacked. Her kingdom vanquished, she is sold off as a slave but saved by a Jain merchant named
Dhana. He adopts and names her Chandanbala on account of her beautiful hair. Unfortunately,
his wife grows jealous and misunderstands Dhana's affection for Chandanbala. When Dhana has
an extended absence, she takes advantage of it by ordering servants to shave Chandanbala's
head, bind her with chains, and lock her in a corner of the house. Chandanbala is locked without
food or water for three days until Dhana finds her -- when he looks for food, though, he finds
only the boiled lentils for the animals. Chandanbala resolves to eat only after she has offered the
lentils as alms to a mendicant. Fortunately for her, at that moment, Mahavir Swami is passing by.
He has been fasting for almost six months, awaiting a suitable person to break his fast. He
requires the food come from a princess that became a slave, with a shaved head, wearing white
clothes, standing on a doorstep with alms, with tears in her eyes. Chandanbala fulfills all of these
requirements except for the last, so he turns away from her when she offers alms. Seeing
Mahavir Swami turn away, Chandanbala begins to cry, and Mahavir Swami returns as his
