Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÜTRÀ [Ch. IV In the first part of her life as maiden the woman remained under the loving care and protection of her parents till her marriage, as it is evidenced by the fact that the eight wives of the prince, Mahābala of Hastināpura? were brought up under the shade of affection and guardianship of their respective parents before they were wedded to the said prince.
As regards the education of the girls the BhS refers to the princess Jayanti', who was a highly well-instructed woman and specially capable of arguing on the difficult points in the abstract doctrine of philosophy with Lord Mahāvīra.
But there is no other instance except this one to cite that a particular arrangement was made for imparting education to the girls belonging to all the social grades, although there is the mention of some educated married women and nuns.
It appears that a maiden of marriageable age had no choice left to her in the matter of selection of her husband but to accept the bridegroom selected by her parents as her husband'.
Wife
The terms 'Bhāriyâ'' and 'Bhajjā's occurring in this text and other works denote a newly wedded bride or a wife.
In connection with the topic, 'Marriage ceremony' it has already been discussed in this chapter that every new bride in the royal family of Bala, the king of Hastināpura was presented the gist of one independent palace together with the household establishments furnished with all necessaries of life, quite separate from those of her co-wives who were also married by her husband, the prince, Mahābalao along with her at the same time on the same day.
The study of the list of the marriage gifts clearly shows the economic status of those women as wife in the royal family that they enjoyed a certain amount of right to property with
1 Bhs, 11, 11, 430. 3 11, 11, 11, 430 ; 15, 1, 561. 6 16, 12, 2, 441.
9 10, 12, 2, 441-42. 4 Ib, 9, 33, 384 ; 15; 15, 1, 561. 6 lb, 11, 11, 430.