Spiritual Awakening and other Essays

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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they studied all branches of knowledge to such an extent that they could be regarded as incarnations of Sarasvatī, the Goddess of Learning."61 The greatest name among Jaina Women in Kannada Literature was Kānti who, along with Abhinava Pampa, was one of the gems that adorned the Court of Hoyasala king Ballāla (A.D. 1100-1106). She was redoubtable orator and a poet who completed the unfinished poems of Abhinava Pampa in the open court of that ruler. Similarly, a Jaina lady Avvaiyāra, the Venerable Matron, was one of the most admired amongst the Tamil poets. "62
In times of need women did rise to the occasion and held important positions in the political sphere from the very beginning." In the first quarter of the 10th century A.D. figures a remarkable Jaina woman administrator, Jakkiyabbe, and it is stated that she was skilled in ability for good government, and protected the Nagarakhanda 70 (a náme of a place). It is recorded that a Jaina lady Saviyabbe accompanied her husband on horse-back to the battle-field and fell fighting in the battle of Bagiyur.63 "It appears from Epigraphia Carnatica that the office of Nādagauda, an important rural official, was held by a Jaina woman. An incription dated A.D. 918 shows that a Jaina widow was a Nādagauda and was distinguished for the skill and ability of her management. It states that though a woman, she well protected her change with pride in her own heroic bravery. In the 16th century A.D. when the Jaina queen Bhairavadevī, while ruling over the kingdom of Gerosoppe, was attacked by the neighbouring Saiva Saradāra, she faced the enemy bravely and defeated him in the battle."64
As the full religious freedom was allowed to females, widows could devote their time for their spiritual upliftment and thus carve a respectable position for them in their family and in the minds of people in general.
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Spiritual Awakening (Samyagdarśana) and Other Essays