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TRANSLATION OF
[III, 24 *7
liberation); then how is it that, in this religion, women are prescribed an alternative ascetic emblem ( consisting of clothing etc.) ??
7. In fact, liberation is not said to be possible for women in that very birth; therefore an alternative (ascetic) emblem is prescribed for women befitting them. ii *8. The nature of these (viz., women) is naturally full of negligence (pramāda), and hence they are designated as pramadā; therefore these women (pramadāh) are said to be plentifully negligent.
**9. As a matter of fact, women are liable to infatuation, aver- sion, fear and disgust; in their mind (there is) crookedness of a varied type; therefore they cannot attain liberation (in that very birth).
*10. There is not a single woman, in the whole world, who is without even one of these above faults; their limbs are not closed (?) (samudar), and hence they need clothing.
5 *11. In their case there is always the mental mobility and fickleness and the periodical oozing of blood (at the time of monthly course) wherein grow subtle human organisms. 6 *12. There is said to be the growth of subtle organisms in the female organ of generation, in between their breasts and in the parts of their navel and armpit; then how can self-control be possible for them?
*13. Women cannot effect (complete) exhaustion of Karmas, 'even though they are pure in faith, are endowed with scriptural study and practise a severe course of conduct.
.', *14. Therefore the Jinas have prescribed for them an emblem befitting their nature (i. e. consisting of clothing etc.); those, that are endowed with family, form and age and practise that course, are called nuns (s'ramani).
1. A question is raised that women, when they are not allowed to accept the standard course of asceticism, it means, should go only to heavens etc. which, as a matter of doctrine, are not considered to be lealthy objects of aim. Liberation is the only aim, to be aspired after, which can nover be attained by any other course than the adoption of standard asceticism; if women are to get liberation, they should also be allowed to accept the standard emblem. The answer is given in the gāthās to follow.
