Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c17.78

c17.78

**Women and Education.** The *Rāmāyaṇa* contemplates women who were *Bhikshuṇīs*. The best example of these is 'Śramaṇī' Śabarī who is described as *Chīra-Kṛishṇājināmbarā*, *Jaṭilā*, *Siddhā*, *Tāpasī*, with her Āśrama on the Pampā, and Guru named Mataṅga. Śabarī was not a *śabara* by caste. It was only a name [*Araṇyakāṇḍa*, 74, 9–33]. In the *Mahābhārata*, Ashṭāvakra converses with an old woman who describes herself as a Brahmachāriṇī. The daughter of Śāṇḍilya was also a Brahmachāriṇī, as also that of Ṛishi Gārgya. Janaka has a philosophical discussion with Bhikshuṇī Sulobhā.