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Jainism: The Cosmic Vision in writing his monumental work of Amarkosh. So also women like Shreedevi and Anupamadevi provided inspiration to their husbands to spend their wealth for religious purposes. Even in this century, there have been numerous Sadhvis and Shravikas who have earned high reputation in various fields. Impressed by the personality of Mahasati Ujjavalkumari, Gandhiji himself went to visit her. Harkunvar Shethani constructed the Hathisinh temples of immense grandeur and sponsored a huge procession of pilgrims and thereby exhibited her skill in management. Mahattara Mrigavatishriji constructed the Vallabhsmarak at New Delhi, Shardabai Mahasatiji, Sadhvi Pramukha Kanakprabhashriji and many other Sadhvijis have provided fruitful guidance and leadership to the society.
It is because of this emphatic and positive role of Sadhvis and Shravikas that the Jain religion, committed as it was to nonviolence, did not approve the Sati system which was prevalent in the Middle Ages. So also it has strongly resisted the dasi system-women slavery - and the practice of the trading of women. Dasi system was regarded as a symbol of affluence and prestige. Many dasi's were bought from various countries for the pleasure of Meghkumar. But Bhagwan Mahavira protested strongly against the practice. Sadhvi Yakshakunvarji struggled incessantly to end the practice of sacrificing animals. As Jain religion is fundamentally opposed the seven vices, like polygamy, adultery, addiction to alcoholic drinks, harlotry and gambling, women from this religion are saved from the torture that results from these evils. In gnata dharmakatha King Drupad asks Draupadi to select husband for herself. As mentioned in Upasak Dashang, Mahashatak does not compel his wife Revati in any way as regards her religious faith, food habits and other
Role of Women in Jain Religion matters. On the other hand women like the wife of Shravak Anand very willingly and joyously follow the faith of their husbands and perform the upasak vows of Bhagwan Mahavira. Thus, since the times of Agama era, women are allowed total freedom as regards religious faith and life-style. Sadhvis used to live and move independently from the company of the Sadhus, and arranged for their own security by appointing a Sadhvi as a Pratihari-guard.
Bhagwan Mahavira has glorified the vow of celibacy and women were also allowed to refuse to be married and to adopt the celibate way of living. Women like Brahmi, Sundari, Malli, Chandanbala, Jayanti and others accepted the life long vow of celibacy by rejecting the married life. In view of the prevailing traditions and circumstances, it was considered inevitable in those times for women to live a married life. But Jain religion has left such a personal issue of marriage to the discretion of women; a woman may herself decide whether to marry or not. If she felt that the unmarried way of life was better for her effective religious pursuits, she was entitled for diskha without getting married.
At the samavasaran (gathering for preaching) of Bhagwan Mahavir, women enjoyed as much freedom as did men. They attended such gatherings without any restraint or restriction, listened to the preachings and satisfied their curiosity by publicly asking questions as in the case of Jayanti who settled her doubts by raising questions.
Thus, the role of women in Jain religion has been very progressive and ennobling on the whole. As mothers they have given birth to Tirthankaras, as wives they have provided
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