________________
Jainism: The Cosmic Vision
religious sincerity of Prabhavati inspired her husband King Udayan to follow the religious way of life, whereas, Mrigavati could prevent a war by herself having been initiated into Diksha. Queen Prutha, wife of Chetak, who presided over the Republic of Vaishali, groomed and trained her seven daughters in the different arts and all of them won wide acclaim. These seven sisters had a great impact on the contemporary women community. Bhadra, wife of Gobhadra, had unusual insight in managing business affairs. When Champa Shravika observed fast for six months, this fast impressed the Moghul emperor Akbar who gave orders to stop violence throughout the state for as many days as the vow of fasting was to last.
Jain women have also significantly contributed to the field of literary creation and in the exercise of the power of memorising. Yaksha Sadhvi had the power to repeat verbatim of any difficult passage of prose or a piece of poem that she would listen only once. Arya Poyani played a leading role in the conference organised in the early years of the fourth centenary of Bhagwan Mahavira's Nirvan, with a view to systematising and protecting Agama literature. About 500 Shramans of the tradition of Acharya Susthita had gathered on the occasion and 300 Sadhvis participated in the conference of Agama reading under the guidance of Arya Poyani.
Jain Princess Auve of Cher State in South India was a poetess of ancient Tamil literature. For her stirring voice and moral preaching, Tamil speaking people still admire and adore her as mother Auve (Aryika Ma). Vasuki, the wife of worldfamous literary writer Thiruvalluvar, adopted a saintly way of life and Shravak way of life played a significant role in the life of Thiruvalluvar.
Jain Education International
184
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
