meaning of yatee
yatee (यती) is the feminine form related to the term yati in Jainism.
- Basic meaning: yati = an ascetic/renouncer. When used in feminine form, yatee denotes a female ascetic (a Jain nun or renunciant). In practice, female renunciants in Jainism are known as aryika/sadhvi, and the feminine form of the word can appear in ancient or devotional texts to refer to a female renouncer. This mirrors the general male form yati for monks. You can read more about yathi dharma and how yati/yatī/yatiyā are used in Jain tradition here.
Note on traditions:
- Digambar and Śvetāmbara both uphold the yati tradition, though the exact titles for female renunciants differ in practice (Aryika/Sadhvi in Śvetāmbara contexts; similar concepts exist in Digambara contexts). The essential idea is renunciation and adherence to the vows of conduct.
If you want, I can explain more about how yati dharma is described in different Jain texts.