________________
20
STUDIES İN THE BHAGAWATÍ SÚTRA (Ch. IV In this connection a reference may be made to the queen, Mrgāvati', the mother of king Udayana of Kaušāmbz, who appears to have acted as the queen-regent of her minor son for some period in the absence of her husband, king Satānika.
Widow
In connection with the marriage ceremoney of the prince Mahābala it has been mentioned that only the married ladies (avihavāvahu) could bring and present the auspicious articles to the bridegroom.
This evidence of the prevailing marriage custom clearly implies that the widows were not associated with this ceremony.
Thus the reference to the terms "Avihavāvahu uvanīya' occuring in the Bhs reflects upon the degraded position of the widows in general in the family as well as in the society of its period.
Civic Status of Women
The women appear also outside the pale of the family as members of a wider circle of the society in different capacities in the civic life.
Women as religious students
Two classes of the female students, studying the Vedas and other sacred texts are found here--the one class prosecuted studies till the marriage, while the other one remained unmarried throughout the life and continued the life-long studies of religious texts as prescribed by the ascetic order.
It has already been mentioned in connection with the topic "Aśrama' that the princess, Jayantī,the daughter of king Sabasrānika, the sister of king Satānīka and the aunt of king Udayana of Kaušāmbż belonged to the latter class of students.
At the Candrāvatarana Caitya in the city of Kausāmli she took part in the abstruse philosophical discussion with Lord
* Bh8, 12, 2, 441-42. 8 16, 11, 11, 430.
? Ib, 11, 11, 430. 4.6 11, 12, 2, 441-43.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
