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Role of Women in Jain Religion
pleasures shall save herselves from men, in the same manner as men have to save themselves from women.
Jain religion has also probed some of the deeper aspects of man-woman relationship. The significance of the word NARI has been fully explained in Sutrakrutang Niryukti and in Churni and woman has been classified as Dravya Stri and Bhav Stri. Dravya Stri would mean the physical formation of a woman and Bhav Stri would mean her temperament. So also in Uttaradhyayan Churni, Nishith Churni and Acharang Churni the female temperament is elaborately described. Again, Tandulvaicharik Prakirnak dwells upon some 94 innate characteristics of a woman. Indeed, at some places the description seems to be derogatory, but it is specifically mentioned in Bhagvati Aradhana that this description of the shortcomings applies only to ordinary women and women of no chastity, whereas women of chastity have no such shortcomings. Moreover, in praise of women this book mentions how the glory of a virtuous woman spreads everywhere and she is like a goddess on earth. She is worshippped even by the gods and no words are adequate enough to praise her. It is for this reason that the Jain Agams regard wife as dhammasahaya - as one who helps in religion.
As a result of this concept of equality for women, the role of women in Jain religion has been very significant. From the early times of Rishabhdev Bhagwan, the first Tirthankara of Jain religion, education was imparted to young daughters. Gnata Dharmakatha and Jambudwip Pragnapti give an account of 64 arts of women who used to acquire mastery in dance, music, fine arts and culinary art besides language, mathematics and
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