Nari Chetna Aur Acharya Hastimalji - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Nari Chetna aur Acharya Hastimalji," by Anupama Karnavat:

This article, "Woman's Consciousness and Acharya Hastimalji," by Anupama Karnavat, pays tribute to Acharya Shri Hastimalji M.S., a significant spiritual leader whose passing left a void in the Jain community. The author emphasizes that while his physical presence is gone, his teachings and inspiration continue to guide and strengthen the society.

Acharya Hastimalji's Vision for Women's Empowerment and Societal Development:

The core theme of the article is Acharya Hastimalji's profound vision and efforts to awaken "Nari Chetna" (women's consciousness) for the betterment of society. He believed that the progress of society was intrinsically linked to the development and empowerment of women.

Jainism's Historical Respect for Women:

The article highlights Jainism's historical reverence for women. It points out that the first Tirthankar, Lord Rishabhdev, imparted knowledge of scriptures and arts through his daughters, Brahmi and Sundari, and also initiated many other women, thereby opening the path of religion to them. Later, Mahavir Swami continued this tradition by establishing the Chaturvidh Sangh (four-fold monastic community), including women. The text mentions exemplary female figures like Sadhvi Pramukha Chandanbala, Matriarch Madalsa, and Queen Chellana, who served as ideals for women.

The Decline of Women's Spiritual Values and Acharya Hastimalji's Intervention:

The article laments a decline in women's spiritual and ethical values over time, suggesting that qualities like renunciation, detachment, spirituality, and creativity seemed to be diminishing. Women's focus had shifted towards material achievements, overshadowing their roles in social and religious development.

In this context, Acharya Hastimalji emerged as a pivotal figure. He strongly advocated for encouraging women to pursue spiritual paths, believing that their active participation would make society more powerful and resilient. He recognized women's potential to strengthen the roots of religion and propagate religious ideas more effectively than men due to their inherent faith and deep interest.

Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Action:

Acharya Hastimalji observed a societal disconnect between knowledge and action among women. He identified two distinct groups:

Modern Youth: Those who, after receiving modern education, perceived religion as archaic and hindering progress. They possessed worldly knowledge but lacked spiritual wisdom. Acharya Hastimalji aimed to instill in them the importance of integrating spiritual knowledge with religious practices, emphasizing that true religion flourishes through the synergy of both. His powerful speeches and life examples inspired these women to embrace dharma with pride, finding self-upliftment in practices like Samayik and Pratikraman.
Devout Traditionalists: This group was active in religious practices but lacked the underlying knowledge. Their actions were often based on blind faith and superstition, leading to a lack of expected results. Acharya Hastimalji sought to illuminate their understanding of dharma, explaining the meaning and purpose of religious rituals like chanting and meditation. He simplified complex concepts, making religion more accessible and meaningful for them.

Acharya Hastimalji's Emphasis on a Balanced Approach:

The Acharya championed a holistic approach, advocating for a harmonious blend of knowledge and action in women's lives. He believed that without action, knowledge is burdensome, and without knowledge, action is hollow. He likened this to the two wheels of a chariot, both essential for forward movement.

Promoting Independence within Boundaries:

While a strong proponent of women's empowerment, Acharya Hastimalji was not in favor of unbridled freedom or licentiousness. He believed that women's roles and achievements were most desirable within their natural boundaries. He warned that exceeding these boundaries could distort a woman's true essence and be detrimental to society. He criticized the contemporary trend where women's freedom was misinterpreted as mere license or a platform for opposing men, leading to superficial pursuits and a lack of constructive societal contribution.

Social Reforms and the Eradication of Harmful Practices:

Beyond spiritual upliftment, Acharya Hastimalji was a vocal critic of social evils:

Widow Upliftment: He worked tirelessly to improve the deplorable condition of widows, instilling in them self-confidence, purpose, and creative pursuits, enabling them to contribute to society. This initiative also bolstered the anti-Sati (widow immolation) movement, as he advocated for a dignified life for widows and opposed the practice of self-immolation, deeming it an act of cowardice. He encouraged dedicating the body to spiritual practices instead.
Anti-Dowry Campaign: He vehemently opposed the dowry system, calling it a "scourge" that crippled society. He actively campaigned against it, motivating youth to pledge against it and raising awareness among women, believing that their opposition would lead to the system's eradication.
Mahavir Shravika Sangh: He inspired the formation of the Mahavir Shravika Sangh, a platform dedicated to fostering religious practices among women and contributing to the construction of a righteous society. The organization continues to uphold these principles, promoting spiritual advancement and the spirit of humility.

Legacy and Call to Action:

The article concludes by acknowledging Acharya Hastimalji's invaluable contribution to building a strong society by igniting the flame of "Nari Chetna." It urges readers to carry forward his legacy by nurturing the torch of women's consciousness, encouraging active participation in religious propagation, awakening the dormant, and continuing his work in areas like service, compassion, humility, discipline, unity, meditation, and self-study.

The author expresses a profound sense of loss but emphasizes the need to keep his memory and teachings alive. The article ends with a poignant reflection on his unparalleled virtues and offers deep respects to the great soul.