________________
Jainism: The Cosmic Vision indication of how in ancient times men and women were treated as equals in the Jain tradition. So also the ancient edicts of Mathura contain female names along with those of males. Women participated equally with men in religious ceremonies, gave donations as per their desires and collaborated in the construction of temples. During the times of Bhagwan Parshwanath, 16 thousand Shravikas attained spiritual uplift through initiation or Diksha under the inspiring guidance of Sadhvi Pushyachula. The followers of Bhagwan Mahavira included only 14 thousand Sadhus as against 36 thousand Sadhvis; the Shravaks were one and a half lakh, whereas the number of Shravikas exceeded 3 lakh. These figures are indicative of the honour and respect women commanded in the Jain religion. Mahasati Chandanbala independently managed this sect of 36 thousand Sadhvis.
Chandanbala is a remarkable personality in Jain religion. Bhagwan Mahavira accepted food from Chandanbala who was regarded as a maid servant and this was the gesture of abolition of casteism. She was nominated to the post of Pravartini and was given rights equal to those of the post of a senior Acharya in a Sangh. Under the impact of religious discourses of Sadhvi Chandana many a kings renounced the material world. Chandana herself attained Siddhatva in that birth itself through rigorous penance. The sect of Jain Sadhvis contained women of all castes and communities. Chandanbala, Kali, Sukali, Mahakali, Krishna and such other women belonged to the Kshatriya community whereas Devananda and others were from Brahmin community. A religion, that conferred the right to liberation to each and every woman, would not confine itself within the bonds of casteism. It is not that only the women from
182
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
