Nari Dharm Evam Sanskruti Ki Sajag Prahari - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Nari Dharm Evam Sanskruti Ki Sajag Prahari" (Woman: A Vigilant Guardian of Religion and Culture) by Amarmuni:

The book emphasizes the profound and essential role of women in Jainism and society. It argues that women are not just a supportive force but a vital "wheel" of the societal chariot, bearing significant responsibilities for their own lives, their families, society, and religion. The text asserts that historically, women have consistently been at the forefront, actively participating in social and religious spheres.

Historical Significance and Role in Jainism:

Inspirational Figures for Jainism: The text highlights that throughout history, women have been the most enthusiastic participants in following the teachings of the Tirthankaras, embracing their principles, and disseminating them.
Mahavira's Era: A significant portion is dedicated to the era of Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. It's stated that Mahavira established four pillars of Jainism: monks (sadhu), nuns (sadhvi), male lay followers (shravaka), and female lay followers (shravika).
- Numerical Dominance of Nuns: The author points out a striking numerical disparity: while there were 14,000 monks, there were 36,000 nuns. This is over 2.5 times more, indicating a substantial number of women embracing asceticism.
- Attraction to Mahavira's Teachings: Even women from privileged backgrounds, accustomed to luxury and comfort, were deeply moved by Mahavira's message and renounced their worldly possessions to join the monastic order. They endured hardships like extreme weather, which they had never experienced before, to spread the Jain teachings.
- Shravikas' Superior Numbers: The text also compares the numbers of lay followers, noting that while there were 156,000 shravakas, the number of shravikas exceeded 300,000, again demonstrating a greater engagement from women in spiritual pursuits.
Women's Courage and Sacrifice: The book details instances of women who faced immense difficulties and persecution for their faith. This includes women whose husbands belonged to different religions; they courageously changed their life paths, enduring opposition, and risking their honor and prestige to follow the path of truth.
Queen Chellana's Influence: The text highlights the role of Queen Chellana, wife of Emperor Shrenik of Magadha. It credits her with being instrumental in bringing Emperor Shrenik to the path of Lord Mahavira, a feat that involved significant struggle and personal risk. Her unwavering dedication in guiding her husband towards righteous living is praised.
Intellectual and Creative Contributions: The book mentions the discovery of a beautiful scripture written by a female ascetic in the 15th century, praising its elegance and purity. This is presented as evidence of women's deep intellectual capacity and creative talent. The author also notes that many scriptures and texts were commissioned or authored by women (mothers, sisters, daughters, wives), reflecting their significant religious and literary consciousness.

Women's Role in Nurturing and Societal Development:

Guardians of Culture and Religion: The central theme is that women are vigilant guardians of religion and culture.
Foundation of Character: The text emphasizes that the foundation of human life is laid in a mother's lap. Mothers are responsible for shaping their children, instilling values like sacrifice, discipline, and compassion, and inspiring them towards service to religion and society.
The Example of Madalasa: The story of Queen Madalasa is presented as a prime example. She sang philosophical lullabies to her sons, imparting spiritual wisdom and reminding them of their inherent pure consciousness and detachment from worldly illusions. This wisdom aimed to elevate their souls and prevent them from succumbing to ignorance and sin.
Mothers as Creators of Greatness: The book argues that great sons and daughters are not born accidentally; they are molded by their mothers. If mothers are virtuous and enlightened, their children will follow suit. The text dismisses the notion that women are inherently ignorant or have led society astray. Instead, it asserts that it is women who have given birth to great personalities in various fields, including spirituality and governance.
The Importance of Balanced Societal Participation: The text uses the analogy of a body with two equally strong limbs for a society to function effectively. It laments the current state where one "limb" (women, in this context) has become weak, leading to societal imbalance and decay.
Cause of Societal Ills: The author attributes many societal problems, such as the prevalence of vulgar language among youth and negative attitudes, to the lack of elevated thinking and upbringing provided by mothers. The emphasis on duality and the propagation of "mine" and "yours" from an early age are seen as detrimental.
The Need for Both Wings to Fly: Just as a bird needs both strong wings to fly, society requires both men and women to be equally empowered and capable for progress. The weakening of one "wing" (women) has crippled the other and stalled societal advancement.

Ideal Virtues of Women:

Generosity and Philanthropy: The text extols the virtues of generosity and philanthropy. It recounts the story of a poet named Magh, who, despite his own poverty, readily gave away whatever he earned to help others. His wife, when awakened, not only agreed to give her own bangles for a noble cause but even offered her entire self to aid a needy Brahmin. This act is presented as an example of true womanhood and the strength of feminine compassion.
Service to the Needy: The book praises women who, even in dire poverty, never turned away guests. It highlights the principle "The hand is adorned by giving, not by bangles."
Elevating Society: The author emphasizes that women like Lachhi (Lakshmi), who helped an unknown Jain youth and enabled him to become prosperous, are the true sources of pride for womenkind. This youth later rose to become a prominent minister, Udayan, a key figure in Gujarat's history.
The True Home: The text quotes a Jain scholar, "A house is not called a home; it is a home only when there is a good homemaker." A true homemaker's essence lies in her generosity and kind heart.
Contrast with Modern Times: The author expresses regret that such ideal homemakers are rare today. He observes that even in wealthy households, some women are unwelcoming and dismissive towards the needy, offering harsh words and expulsions instead of comfort. True virtuous homemakers, however, are described as calm, composed, and never showing anger.

In essence, "Nari Dharm Evam Sanskruti Ki Sajag Prahari" is a powerful treatise that celebrates the historical contributions, inherent potential, and crucial responsibilities of women in upholding Jain Dharma and shaping a virtuous society. It calls for women to embrace their elevated role as conscious guardians and nurturers, contributing to the spiritual and societal well-being of all.