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 SŪTRA
[Ch. IV Like the BhS the other Jaina texts have assigned a dignified position to the women by raising them on a highest pedestal of the society where they figured as devoted and chaste wife and were regarded as one of the fourteen jewels of a Cakkavaṭṭin (sovereign king).'
According to the Svetambara tradition it is stated in the Nayadhammakahao that Malli, a woman attained the state of Tirthankara, which was considered as one of the ten unexpected things.
This instance clearly shows the highest position of honour and glory ever occupied by any woman in the society of ancient India.
It is laid down in the Brhat kalpa Bhasya that a woman must be delivered first from the trouble caused by the natural or unnatural phenomena, such as, water, fire, robber or famine, etc., which may befall her.
As regards the character of the women there are many references to the cases of their fidelity occurring in the other Jaina texts where they appear as the most devoted wives following the footsteps of their respective husbands in their work and worship.
Thus it it learnt that Rajimati joined the ascetic order as nun, together with her husband Ariṭṭhanemi like Devānanda of the BhS and once she foiled the criminal attempt of her husband's brother, Rahanemi to court her during her austerity by clever means1.
1 Jambu. Su, 3. 67; refer also to the Digha-Nikaya (II, p. 172177) in which there is the mention of Cakka-ratanam, hatthiratanam, assa ratanam, mani-ratanam, itthi-ratanam, gahapati-ratanam, and parinayaka-ratanaṁ.
2 Nayadhammakahão, 8. The Digambara tradition tells that Malli was a male, because according to it no woman can ever attain liberation (Moksa). See Life in Ancient India by Dr. J. C. Jain, p. 134, foot note 12.
Brhatkalpa Bhasya 4, 4348f.
4 Dasa-Sutra 2, 7, 11; Uttaradhyayana Sutra, XXII. Vide 'Life in Ancient India by Dr. J. C. Jain, p. 154.