Brahmi and Sundari are very important women in Jain history. They are the two famous daughters of the 1st Tirthankar, Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Aadinath).

Family background

According to Jain tradition:

• Father: Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Aadinath)
• Mother of Brahmi: Queen Sumangala
• Mother of Sundari: Queen Sunanda
• Brothers:

- From Sumangala – 99 sons, the eldest was Chakravarti Bharat - From Sunanda – 1 son, Bahubali

So:

• Brahmi is sister of Bharat.
• Sundari is sister of Bahubali.
• Both are daughters of Bhagwan Rishabhdev.

You can see a simple story of this family here

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Brahmi – script and learning

• Brahmi was very intelligent and interested in language and writing.
• Tradition says Bhagwan Rishabhdev taught her the first script.
• This script became famous as “Brahmi lipi” (Brahmi script), named after her.
• She became an expert in literature, reading and writing, and taught others.

Because of this, in Jain history she is remembered as:

• The first teacher of script/writing,
• A symbol of education and knowledge.

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Sundari – mathematics and sciences

• Sundari was especially sharp in ganit (mathematics) and other practical sciences.
• Bhagwan Rishabhdev taught her numbers, counting and calculations.
• She became an expert in mathematics and related subjects, and taught these skills to people.

So she is remembered as:

• The first teacher of mathematics,
• A symbol of logical thinking and precise knowledge.

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Their role in Bahubali’s story

A very famous incident shows their spiritual importance:

• After the conflict between Bharat and Bahubali, Bahubali did great penance and stood in deep meditation.
• Even after long tapas, he did not get keval-jnan because a very subtle ego (maan) was still inside.
• Out of compassion, Bhagwan Rishabhdev sent Brahmi and Sundari to him.
• They came and told him in simple words (sense of the message):

“Why are you still sitting on the elephant?”

• Bahubali looked – there was no real elephant. He understood the inner meaning:

- The elephant was his ahankar (ego) of victory and strength.

• As soon as he realized this and became completely humble,

- He took one step towards Bhagwan, - And attained keval-jnan at that very moment.

In this way, Brahmi and Sundari helped Bahubali remove his last subtle passion. They are remembered not only as learned women, but also as cause-helpers in a kevali’s awakening.

This story is also narrated here

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Their later life

• After Bhagwan Rishabhdev attained keval-jnan,

Brahmi and Sundari renounced worldly life, became aryika/shravika disciples, and followed the path of samyak darshan–jnan–charitra.

• They are respected in Jain tradition as:

- Ideal learned women, - Examples of tyag (renunciation) and sadhna, - Great supporters in spreading true knowledge (samyak jnan).

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Sect (tradition) differences

On Brahmi and Sundari, both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions generally agree on:

• They are daughters of Bhagwan Rishabhdev.
• Brahmi – connected with Brahmi script / writing.
• Sundari – connected with mathematics / numbers.
• Their role in the Bahubali story and their eventual renunciation.

Only small details of narration may differ in various texts, but the main history and spiritual respect are same.

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In short: Brahmi = first teacher of script and literature. Sundari = first teacher of mathematics and numbers. Both = great daughters of Rishabhdev, who later became renunciants and are honored as ideal, knowledgeable Jain women.