Navyugno Naridharm - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navyugno Naridharm" (The Dharma of Woman in the New Era) by Mavji Damji Shah:

Book Title: Navyugno Naridharm (The Dharma of Woman in the New Era) Author: Mavji Damji Shah Publisher: Rambhaben Gopalji

Overall Purpose: The book is written with the auspicious intention of helping modern young women (kumārikās and yuvatīs) recognize their true importance and potential. It aims to guide them to navigate life's challenges (the "sea of existence") and lead their lives towards a better path, away from conflict and unrest. The author also expresses a desire to make women aware of their capabilities.

Inspiration and Dedication: The book was inspired by a close friend of the author. It is dedicated to the memory of his friend's wife, Mrs. Samarat, who passed away prematurely and sorrowfully in the previous year. This tragic event prompted the author to bring his thoughts on women's dharma to light sooner than anticipated.

Author's Perspective and Disclaimer: The author, Mavji Damji Shah, acknowledges that as a man, he might not have the sole authority to discuss women's dharma. He believes that women themselves should determine their roles and responsibilities in the new era. However, he positions himself as someone who will offer a neutral perspective and remind women of their dharma, which may have been forgotten. He also criticizes historical scriptures and texts written predominantly by men for potentially exhibiting bias against women, creating an imbalance that negatively affects both genders. He asserts that such bias is unjust and should be rejected.

The New Era (Navyug): The author defines the "New Era" by drawing an analogy to the spring season, where old, withered leaves fall and new ones emerge. While acknowledging the contributions of ancient wise men, he identifies Mahatma Gandhi as the sun of the New Era, whose rays illuminate the present times. He clarifies that this doesn't mean everything old is bad and everything new is good. Instead, the principle is to take the good from the old and discard the bad, and similarly, take the good from the new and discard the bad. He highlights the significant changes occurring in political, social, domestic, industrial, moral, and economic spheres due to the emergence of virtuous individuals like Mahatma Gandhi.

Key Principles for Women in the New Era:

Become 'Bahushrut' (Acquire Extensive Knowledge):
- This is considered the most crucial point, the remedy for all ailments and the cause of all happiness.
- It means seizing every opportunity to gain knowledge and enriching one's experiential understanding through independent thought.
- The author emphasizes the Jain principle that liberation is not possible without knowledge ("jñānādvina muktiḥ") and that knowledge is the purest thing.
- While acknowledging that some women may have achieved high academic qualifications (B.A., M.A.), he stresses that true "bahushrut" means more than just formal education. It involves acquiring knowledge that aligns with Indian culture, avoiding blind imitation and fashion-driven ideas.
- He encourages reading high-quality literature, periodicals like "Navjivan," "Young India," "Saurashtra," etc., and magazines for children and adults.
- He also suggests that travel and attending public gatherings are valuable means of acquiring knowledge.
Become Self-Reliant (Swāśrayī):
- Women should not remain dependent on others.
- The dependency of women has led to suffering for Hindu society.
- Parents should equip their daughters with skills and knowledge before marriage, so they can earn a livelihood if widowed or if misfortune strikes.
- He criticizes the practice of girls discontinuing their education after reaching puberty (around 12-13 years old) and marrying at 14, leading to incomplete lives.
- He advocates for delaying marriage until 16-17 years old, allowing girls to mature physically and gain necessary knowledge for self-reliance and livelihood.
- He emphasizes that mothers and fathers must ensure their daughters learn at least three to four skills. This preparation can lead to a fulfilling life regardless of circumstances and prevent the current widespread lamentations, especially among widows.
- He mentions ancient arts and modern skills like sewing, embroidery, and music as examples of self-reliant professions.
Advise Marriage Only After Becoming Capable of Raising Children:
- The author points out the discord between men and women in India, attributing it primarily to two reasons:
  - Parents not adequately educating their sons for married life. A matriculation level of education or acquiring a skill is deemed necessary in the current era.
  - Sons not developing the ability to earn a good income before entering married life.
- He criticizes parents for marrying off sons without ensuring their preparedness, thus ruining the lives of innocent young girls. He questions their right to corrupt their sons' future by marrying them prematurely.
- He advises parents to prioritize their sons' preparedness for marriage and not interfere in their choice of partners, unless the son himself requests their guidance after becoming capable. He urges parents to stop the practice of marrying off unprepared sons at a young age for perceived "enjoyment."
Take Care of Physical Health:
- Women need to be diligent about their physical health. Possessing and practicing knowledge of maintaining physical well-being leads to enjoying good health.
- He notes that the female mortality rate is higher than the male mortality rate, attributing this to a lack of concern for health knowledge.
- He reminds women of their inherent strength and their role as mothers of great souls like Lord Mahavir, Buddha, Rama, Krishna, Sita, Savitri, Dayanand Saraswati, Vivekananda, and even modern leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.
- Given their vital role, preserving their health is essential.
- He recommends living in accordance with nature, continuously studying physiology, and working to make the body beautiful, well-formed, and fit.
- He extends this concern to children's health, stating that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds, which in turn facilitate spiritual progress for individuals and families.
Do Not Hesitate to Study Even at an Older Age:
- He addresses the mindset that discourages learning after a certain age (e.g., 35), labeling it as "meaningless" and destructive to self-improvement.
- He laments that such regressive thoughts are prevalent in India.
- He provides examples of individuals who started and completed their education in their late 40s, 50s, and even at the end of their lives. Examples include Ms. Cole (Subhadra Devi), a Physics professor studying Jain and other philosophies at 35; Shri Chudgar, who became a barrister at around 50; and Smt. Meghibai, wife of Pandit Lalitlal, who studied Gujarati at the third standard at 50. He praises Meghibai's dedication to knowledge.
- He concludes that studying at an older age can lead to experiencing the sweetness of life.
Acquire General Knowledge:
- He stresses the necessity of acquiring "General Knowledge" to avoid difficulties in urban and rural life and their negative consequences.
- This includes knowing how to use public transport (railways, trams, buses, victorias), understanding route numbers, identifying destinations, and reading timetables and indicators.
- He advises familiarity with city streets to avoid getting lost and to navigate efficiently. He also touches upon the rules and regulations of using victorias and the importance of carrying and paying the correct fare.
- He emphasizes the need to be able to read clocks accurately, not just to tell the time but also the minutes.
- Beyond practical knowledge, he stresses the importance of being aware of political, social, religious, economic, and cultural movements within India and in foreign countries like Japan, Europe, and America. He expresses a desire to compile this information in future publications.
Live a Simple Life with High Thoughts:
- He defines a simple life not as one of ostentation or exceeding one's income, but one with numerous benefits.
- He cites historical figures like Savitri, who chose a simple life with an ascetic over a prince, and Rani Bhaktiba, wife of Darbar Gopaldas, known for her simplicity.
- He also highlights the simple lives of Kasturba Gandhi and Vasanti Devi, wife of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, despite their husbands' high incomes.
- He criticizes women who spend extravagantly on foreign clothes, jewelry, and trinkets, thereby causing financial strain.
- He advises saving a portion of their husband's income each month instead of succumbing to false ostentation, which can lead to financial independence.
- He laments that many households experience deficits, where expenses exceed income, leading to a loss of mental peace and spiritual radiance.
- He concludes that embracing simplicity will bring prosperity not only to the individual woman but also to her husband and the entire family.

Conclusion: The author expresses gratitude for the opportunity to present his thoughts to the women of the new era.

Additional Information:

The book includes a section on the "Brief Outline of the Life of the Late Mrs. Samarat," detailing her birth, education, marriage, family, and the cause of her death, serving as an inspiration.
There's also a poem dedicated to Mrs. Samarat by her brother, Vrajlal Gordhandas Shah, expressing grief and remembrance of her virtues.
An "Dedication Letter" from Rambhaben Gopalji, expressing her admiration for Mrs. Samarat's qualities and her gratitude for having her in their home.
A list of other children's literature books by the same author is provided, along with some positive reviews.