Jain Dharma Ki Pramukh Sadhviya Evam Mahilaye

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Dharma ki Pramukh Sadhviya evam Mahilaye" (Prominent Jain Nuns and Women) by Dr. Hirabai Bordiya, published by Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi:

Overview and Publisher's Note:

The book, published by Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi as part of its Granthmala series, aims to highlight the significant role of women in Jain Dharma. The publisher expresses joy in presenting this research work, emphasizing Jainism's pioneering stance in establishing women as equal to men in spiritual rights. It notes that this is a continuation of their efforts to showcase women's importance, following earlier publications like "Women's Life in Jain and Buddhist Agamas" and "Jain and Buddhist Nun Sangha."

Author and Her Background:

Dr. Hirabai Bordiya, the author, is the wife of the renowned physician Padma Shri Nandlal Ji Bordiya and the mother of Swami Brahmeshanand. The publisher acknowledges her deep interest in study even at the age of seventy-three and dedicates the book to her husband and son, acknowledging their service spirit possibly rooted in her influence.

Author's Motivation and Research Scope:

Dr. Bordiya was inspired by the 2500th Nirvana anniversary of Lord Mahavir and the words of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who stated that Mahavir made no distinction between men and women in spiritual rights, leading to more nuns than monks in his sangha. This ignited her curiosity to explore the place and value of women in Jain Dharma from the first Tirthankara to the 20th century, based on Jain scriptures and historical evidence. The book systematically analyzes the lives and contributions of Jain nuns and erudite women through seven chapters, covering different historical periods.

Key Themes and Structure of the Book:

The book provides a chronological exploration of women's roles and achievements in Jainism, emphasizing their spiritual and social contributions. The author acknowledges the historical scarcity of information about individual women and the challenges in reconstructing their independent personalities. She also addresses the potential influence of prevailing societal norms on the perception and description of women within Jain scriptures.

The book is structured into seven main chapters and a supplement:

• Chapter 1: Pre-historic Era Jain Nuns and Erudite Women: This chapter covers the mothers, daughters, royal women, and nuns associated with the first Tirthankara Rishabhadeva up to the 23rd Tirthankara. It draws heavily from Jain narrative texts.
• Chapter 2: Jain Nuns and Erudite Women of Lord Mahavir's Era: This chapter categorizes women from Mahavir's time into four groups: family members, royal women, merchants' families, and slaves, discussing their virtues and sacrificial lives.
• Chapter 3: Jain Nuns and Women Post-Mahavir (527 BCE to 1st Century CE): This chapter discusses prominent Jain women of this period, their religious devotion, and spiritual achievements, while also describing the political and social context.
• Chapter 4: Jain Nuns and Erudite Women from 2nd to 7th Century CE: Despite fewer mentions, this period highlights mothers of Acharyas and other learned women who maintained their faith in Jainism even in difficult circumstances.
• Chapter 5: Jain Nuns and Erudite Women of South India: This chapter focuses on women from South India whose sacrifices, penances, and knowledge inspired the Jain community. They were instrumental in building temples, monasteries, and supporting their upkeep.
• Chapter 6: Jain Nuns and Erudite Women from 8th to 15th Century: This chapter sheds light on the lives of Jain nuns and learned women during a period of division within Jainism into various gacchas.
• Chapter 7: Jain Nuns and Erudite Women from 16th to 18th Century: This chapter covers the lives of Jain nuns and learned women during this later period, including the influence of the Mughal era and the emergence of the Terapanth sect.
• Appendix: This section includes details of contemporary Jain nuns, compiled from various articles as suggested by the editor, Dr. Sagar Mal Jain, due to the author's age.

Key Aspects of Women's Role in Jainism Highlighted:

• Spiritual Equality: Jainism is presented as a religion that granted women equal spiritual rights to men, allowing them to attain liberation.
• Leadership: Women like Brahmi took leadership roles in the nunnery and even influenced prominent male figures like Bahubali.
• Intellectual and Spiritual Prowess: The book details numerous women who were learned, practiced severe austerities, and achieved high spiritual states.
• Social Contribution: Many women were patrons of art and architecture, funding the construction of temples and supporting religious institutions.
• Resilience and Sacrifice: The narratives often highlight women's ability to maintain their faith and integrity in the face of adversity, societal pressure, and personal loss, often making great sacrifices.
• Evolution of Status: While Jainism offered a relatively progressive view of women compared to some contemporary traditions, the book also implicitly notes how societal influences and doctrinal interpretations might have led to certain limitations in later periods, particularly concerning the admission of women to the highest spiritual attainment (like Tirthankara in the Digambara tradition) or certain scriptural studies.

Specific Examples of Prominent Women:

The book covers a vast array of women, from the earliest figures like Marudevi (mother of Rishabhanatha) and Brahmī (daughter of Rishabhanatha, credited with the development of script) to Chandanbala (first disciple of Mahavir), Rajimati (who renounced her marriage to Mahavir, then Neminatha, for spiritual pursuit), Mallinatha (the 19th Tirthankara, who was a woman according to Svetambara tradition), and numerous royal figures, ascetics, and scholars from various historical periods and regions of India.

Critical Analysis and Challenges:

Dr. Bordiya acknowledges the scarcity of historical sources and the reliance on narrative texts, which can be influenced by mythological elements. She also points out the need to analyze texts within their specific historical and traditional contexts (e.g., Svetambara vs. Digambara perspectives). The author's objective approach is evident in her attempt to present a factual account while acknowledging the limitations of historical records.

Conclusion:

"Jain Dharma ki Pramukh Sadhviya evam Mahilaye" is a significant scholarly work that compiles and analyzes the rich history of women in Jainism. It underscores their integral role in the propagation, sustenance, and evolution of the faith, highlighting their intellectual, spiritual, and social contributions across centuries. The book serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the empowered position women held within the Jain tradition.