________________
Role of Women in Jain Religion royal families have joined Sadhvi Sangh, women from lower strata like maid servants and concubines have also accepted diksha and won respectable status in the society. Knowledge, chastity and penance of these Sadhvis won social acceptance and respect. The king of a region or a person of a very high social status would, according to the rule, get up from their seats to pay their respects to such Sadhvis. Brahmi, Sundari, Chandana and such other Sadhvis are worshippped even today and names of 16 Sati pious women are remembered along with the names of the Tirthankaras.
A look at Jain Sadhvi Sangh reveals that women from all castes, communities and classes were admitted to it without any discrimination. Their spirituality and learning had a great social impact. Sadhvi Sulasa did not deviate from her religious pursuits despite numerous hindrances in life. Becuase of her pious deeds, Sulasa would attain the status of Tirthankara in the cycle of life.
Jayanti, daughter of King of Kaushambi, was a learned woman in the times of Bhagwan Mahavir and she was very knowledgable in the essentials of religion. Jayanti was a follower of Bhagwan Mahavir and yet she unhesitatingly asked questions to Bhagwan Mahavir during his religious discourses. Usually it is the males who preach, but in Jain religion in many instances women preachers has given the guidance to the males on the path of purification. In Uttaradhyayan Queen Kamalavati guides King Ishukar to the better way of life. Avashyak Churni refers to Brahmi and Sundari having preached Muni Bahubali. Uttaradhyayan and Dashvaikalik Churni contain an episode of Rajimati giving a preaching to Rathnemi. Kosha, a concubine, guided the sage with her saying to path of righteousness. The
183
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
