Mahila Samaj Ko Mahavir Darshan Ki Den

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mahila Samaj ko Mahavir Darshan ki Den" by Shanta Bhanavat:

The book, "Mahila Samaj ko Mahavir Darshan ki Den" (The Gift of Mahavir's Philosophy to Women's Society), by Dr. Shanta Bhanavat, explores the profound impact of Lord Mahavir's teachings on the status and liberation of women.

Mahavir's Vision for Women's Freedom: The author highlights that while International Women's Year in 1975 brought focus to women's rights, Lord Mahavir, 2500 years ago, recognized the need for women's liberation. He went beyond just social and economic freedom, advocating for spiritual freedom to enable women to develop their entire personality.

The Plight of Women in Mahavir's Time: The text vividly describes the dire condition of women in Mahavir's era. They were denied the right to hear religious discourse and were often treated as commodities, sold like animals. The story of Kumari Chandana is recounted, where she was nearly handed over to a courtesan for silver coins and later sold into slavery. Many women lived in such chains of servitude.

Mahavir's Resolve for Women's Upliftment: Mahavir, witnessing this oppression, undertook a rigorous vow during his ascetic period. He vowed to accept alms only from a princess who was a slave, holding a winnowing basket with urad balls, standing at a doorway, with handcuffs and shackles, a shaven head, tears in her eyes, yet a smile on her lips, and suffering from three days of hunger. This difficult vow, which he observed for five months and twenty-five days, was to dignify the status of downtrodden women. His vow was fulfilled by Chandanbala, a princess enslaved, who offered him alms. Subsequently, inspired by Mahavir, Chandanbala embraced the ascetic path.

Inclusion of Women in Mahavir's Sangha: Lord Mahavir broke societal barriers by including women in his religious order (Sangha) on equal footing with men. He declared that the souls of men and women are the same, and women have the same complete freedom for their spiritual development. He deemed it ignorant and irreligious to consider women inferior to men.

Women's Right to Liberation and Spiritual Pursuit: Mahavir taught that women, by cutting through desires, passions, and karmic bonds, are entitled to Moksha (liberation). They have an unquestionable right to listen to religious sermons, just as men do. The text mentions Jayanti Shravika, who, inspired by Mahavir's teachings, asked profound philosophical questions and later took initiation.

The Large Female Following in Mahavir's Sangha: The impact of Mahavir's teachings on women was so significant that the number of female followers in his order outnumbered the male followers. While there were fourteen thousand monks, there were thirty-six thousand nuns. Similarly, sixty-nine thousand laymen were contrasted with three lakh eighteen thousand laywomen.

Mahavir's Respect for Motherhood and Family Ties: Mahavir deeply respected the power of motherhood. He had experienced his mother Trishala's immense affection during his prenatal stage. This profound filial respect influenced his departure from home. He sought permission from his elder brother Nandivardhana before renouncing worldly life at the age of twenty-eight. When permission was denied, he respected the emotions of his brother, wife, sister, and infant daughter, and continued his household life for two more years.

The Decline of Women's Emancipation and Modern Challenges: Despite Mahavir's revolutionary efforts for women's liberation, the author laments that this progress diminished over time. By the medieval period, women were again trapped in social evils like child marriage, the purdah system, superstition, slavery, and illiteracy, suppressing their individuality.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw renewed movements for women's reform, leading to the Indian Constitution granting equal rights to men and women, including adult suffrage. Indian women have proven their intellectual prowess, excelling in various professions and holding high positions.

However, the book points out that despite these advancements, modern society faces widespread disharmony, dishonesty, corruption, bribery, and nepotism. The relentless pursuit of wealth has led to increasing greed, unethical practices, and exploitation of the poor. Growing population, inflation, unemployment, and a focus on luxury and fashion have corrupted individuals. Even the perception of individuals has become distorted, with a preference for vulgar content. Envy and a lack of respect for elders plague society, leading to a decline in values like humility.

The Consequence of Moral Decay: This moral decay has resulted in widespread despair and frustration. While intellectual and economic progress has brought material comfort, the drying up of the sources of conscience, faith, and character has destroyed mental peace, which is the root of all happiness.

The Pivotal Role of Women in Reforming Society: The author emphasizes that women can play a crucial role in eradicating these societal ills. As the center of the family and society, with an inherent inclination towards the inner sphere, women can resolve domestic issues. With righteous understanding (Samyak Drishti), they can manage households efficiently, reject materialistic and ill-gotten wealth, and prevent the spread of corruption. They can foster qualities like humility, forgiveness, and love within the family.

The Five Mahavratas for Women: The text elaborates on how women can cultivate these virtues by adhering to the five great vows (Mahavratas) expounded by Lord Mahavir:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): This encompasses abstaining from all forms of violence, including physical harm, verbal abuse, anger, jealousy, pride, carelessness, slander, and attachment/aversion. It stresses the principle of not doing to others what one would not wish for oneself.
2. Satya (Truthfulness): This involves complete honesty in thoughts, words, and deeds, avoiding flattery, forgery, withholding others' belongings, and spreading false information. Women have a primary duty to uphold truth in their lives to protect their families.
3. Achaurya (Non-stealing): This prohibits any form of theft, including taking things without permission, buying stolen goods, aiding thieves, selling counterfeit items, cheating in weights and measures, and tax evasion. It also addresses the issue of purchasing smuggled foreign goods, which undermines self-reliance.
4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): This emphasizes marital fidelity and resisting the allure of promiscuity influenced by Western culture. It involves abstaining from vulgar performances and professions. Maintaining chastity and self-control helps in cultivating virtuous families and influences future generations.
5. Aparigraha Pariman (Limited Possessions): This involves setting limits on wealth and possessions, curbing excessive desires. It promotes economic equality, peace, and curbs societal evils like extortion, exploitation, and theft.

Conclusion: By embracing these vows, women can propagate virtues like love, affection, compassion, trust, authenticity, and morality, leading to disciplined, regular, and dutiful lives. The author concludes by stressing the need for organized efforts to develop women's inner world through women's study centers, moral education camps, and literary organizations. True humanity, the text asserts, is illuminated by virtues like truth, courage, generosity, and self-control, and the absence of these leads to darkness and the destruction of humaneness.