Alternative spellings of this word include Chandanabala.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: JAINpedia: Women in the Jain tradition: Soḷ satī

Candanabālā (चन्दनबाला) refers to one of the 16 Satīs mentioned in the Brāhmī Candanbālikā.—In Jain contexts “Satī” revolves around fidelity to the Jain religion. Although Jains call many virtuous Jain women satīs, among Śvetāmbara Jains there is a group of satīs called the soḷ satī or 16 Satīs (i.e., Candanabālā). These Jain Satīs are revered as role models for women and their stories are widely known. Even though the general group of Satī grows over time, the group of 16 Satīs is unchanging.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

1) Candanabālā (चन्दनबाला) or Candanabālākathā refers to one of the 157 stories embedded in the Kathāmahodadhi by Somacandra (narrating stories from Jain literature, based on the Karpūraprakara), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The Kathāmahodadhi represents a repository of 157 stories [e.g., Candanabālā-kathā] written in prose Sanskrit, although each of them is preceded by a verse. Together, they stage a large number of Jain characters (including early teachers). [...]

2) Candanabālā (चन्दनबाला)  is the name of a Satī (virtuous women), according to the Candanabālāsajjhāya by Ajitadevasūri (dealing with the lives of Jain female heroes).—The Candanabālāsajjhāya praises Candanabālā for the alms she offered to Mahāvīra so that he could break his fast after having taken a special resolution (abhigraha) on the nature of the food. Then the full story is told: after king Śatānīka’s attack on king Dadhivāhana of Kosambī, the latter’s daughter was in a tragic situation and lived almost as a slave (dāsī) with her feet in chains but she observed Jain ethics. When ‘the lord of the three worlds arrived’ she was thrilled. the gift was praised by the various marvels typical of such events. She became the head nun. among her disciples was Mṛgāvatī.

3) Candanabālā (चन्दनबाला) is the name of a Jain nun and teacher of Mṛgāvatī, according to the Mṛgāvatīcaritra.—Accordingly, [...] Mṛgāvatī was the disciple of the head nun Candanabālā. Once she came late to the monastic lodging. She was blamed by candanabālā, confessed her mistake and attained omniscience. Candanabālā repented from having blamed Mṛgāvatī and also attained omniscience. Mṛgāvatī reached liberation

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Candanabalakatha, Candanabalasajjhaya.

Full-text: Candanbala, Mrigavaticaritra, Candanabalasajjhaya.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Candanabala, Candanabālā; (plurals include: Candanabalas, Candanabālās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Part 3 - On patriarchs < [Chapter 5]

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