Winning a Kingdom with Seven ‘koḍīs’: Emotions, Ethics, Freedom, and Gender in the Jain Narrative of Surasundarīno Rās

This paper examines the intersection of emotions and ethics in Surasundarīno Rās, a Jain narrative composed by the mendicant-scholar Paṇḍit Vīrvijayajī (1773–1852) during the late modern period. By analyzing the life story of Surasundarī, revered as Mahāsatī (a great virtuous woman), alongside the actions of various male characters in the text, this paper explores how distinct emotional experiences articulates Jain ethical thought and their moral consequences. Central to my paper is the analysis of how Surasundarī’s emotions lead her to uphold Jain virtues, particularly in safeguarding women’s dignity and chastity, positioning her as a moral exemplar. In contrast, the male characters, driven by passions, deviate from ethical ideals. By unpacking the narrative layers and ethical underpinnings of Surasundarīno Rās, this paper highlights the gendered dimensions of emotions in Jain moral discourse, illustrating how emotions function as catalysts for either ethical fortitude or moral downfall. Through this lens, the paper contributes to broader discussions on the role of emotions in ethical decision-making within Dharma traditions.