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646
The Unknown Pilgrims
iii) Refutation of this thesis
Supporters of the Liberation of women have not let these arguments go unanswered. Here are two replies, coming from different epochs:
1. The Strimuktiprakarana or treatise upon, discussion of, the subject of Liberation of womankind. This is a brief and wellargued treatise. The author, according to most experts, was probably Acārya Sākatāyana, the celebrated grammarian, who was also called Pályakiri, of the Yāpaniya sect.41 The following are the chief points raised in this treatise in refutation of the arguments of the Digambaras.
- It is by way of the Three Jewels that one attains mokșa. Nowhere in the Agamas is it stated that women are unable to realise these Three Jewels.
- There is no solid reason for saying that in women, just as in the devas - who are capable of experiencing only enjoymentthere is an incapacity for samyama.
- Women know the teaching of the jinas, they believe in it and endeavour to live lives in conformity with it. To affirm that they cannot be liberated is contrary to the teaching of the Agamas.
41 For the Yāpaniyas, cf. P 215. They conceded that womankind could attain Liberation. Säkațāyana probably belonged to the VIIth c. For further information about him, this particular treatise and his other treatise, Kevalibhukti, cf. Premi, 1942, pp. 22-55; 157-158; 166-167; 542. Actually, although this topic of dissension had existed for several centuries, it had received scarcely any systematic treatment until the appearance of this text, which in all likelihood happened on account of the necessity of the Yāpaniyas and Digambaras adopting some stance in its regard; cf. Malvania (Nyāyāvataravārtika-vrtti, 1949, p. 332). However, doubt has been thrown both on whether Sākațāyana belonged to the Yāpaniyas and also on whether the celebrated grammarian and the author of the two treatises are one and the same person; cf. Birwe, 1969, pp. 15-21 (Introd. to the Vyakaranam of Śākațāyana).
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