Chandanbala is one of the most respected women in Jain history.

In simple words:

• Who she was

- She was a princess of Champa (Champapuri). - Her childhood name was Vasumati; later she became known as Chandanbala (or Chandana). ( jainknowledge.com) - Her parents are described in Jain tradition as King Dadhivahan (Dadhivahan/Dadhivahan of Champa) and Queen Dharini. ( jainknowledge.com)

• Her suffering and bondage

- After family misfortunes and jealousy from others (especially a step‑mother or mistress of the house, depending on the version), she was sold as a slave. - She lived with a merchant named Dhanavah, whose wife treated her harshly (cutting her hair, chaining her, and keeping her hungry in some tellings). ( tandfonline.com)

• Her most famous act in Jain Dharma

- Bhagwan Mahavira had taken a very strict abhigraha (vow) that he would accept food (gochari) only when certain exact conditions were met. - For a long time he did not get such a donor and remained fasting. - Finally, Chandanbala, herself hungry and in great pain, offered him simple food (usually described as boiled gram – chana) with extreme shraddha (devotion) and shuddha bhav (pure intention). - Her dana fulfilled every condition of Mahavira’s vow, so he broke his long fast with her alms. This event is a turning point in Mahavira’s ascetic life and is central in her story. ( jainknowledge.com)

• Later life and spiritual role

- Chandanbala later accepted diksha (renunciation) from Mahavira and became a Jain sadhvi (nun). - She is honored as the first head of the community of nuns (śramaṇīs/aryikās) under Mahavira, leading a large group of female ascetics on the path of liberation. ( jainpedia.org) - According to Jain tradition, she did not attain Kevaljnan, but she is remembered as an ideal devotee and great nun, not as a Kevali. ( jainknowledge.com)

• How both traditions see her (Digambar / Shwetambar)

- Both traditions accept her as: - the supreme example of ahar-dana (offering food to a true sadhu), - a model of patience, purity, and devotion, - and the leading woman disciple of Mahavira. ( jainpedia.org) - There are small differences in details (exact family links, names, or story sequence), but the core picture is the same: - Princess → great suffering → offers alms to Mahavira → becomes chief nun.

In Jainism, therefore, “Who is Chandanbala?” She is the ideal Jain woman devotee and head nun of Bhagwan Mahavira’s sangh, whose pure alms allowed Mahavira to complete his tough vow and whose life teaches compassion, purity of mind, and unbroken faith.

You can read a simple explanation of related questions on JainKnowledge here:

• On Chandanbala as Cheda Raja’s daughter and her story:
• On her name “Vasumati” and parents: