Aryika Aryika Aryika, also known as Sadhvi, is a female mendicant (nun) in Jainism. In the traditional Digambara tradition, a male human being is considered closest to the apex with the potential to achieve liberation, particularly through asceticism. Women must gain karmic merit, to be reborn as man, and only then can they achieve spiritual liberation in the Digambara sect of Jainism. This view is different from the Svetambara sect that believes that women too can achieve liberation from "Saṃsāra" by being mendicants and through ascetic practices. According to Svetambara Jain texts, from "Kalpasutras" onwards, Jainism has had more "sadhvis" than
Digambara includes texts about proper behaviour for monks and "Sravakas". Most eminent "Digamabara" authors include Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Pujyapada, Jinasena, Akalanka, Vidyanandi, Somadeva and Asadhara. The "Digambara" tradition can be divided into two main orders viz. "Mula Sangha" (original community) and modern community. "Mula Sangha" can be further divided into orthodox and heterodox traditions. Orthodox traditions included "Nandi", "Sena", "Simha" and "Deva" "sangha". Heterodox traditions included "Dravida", "Yapaniya", "Kashtha" and "Mathura" sangha. Other traditions of "Mula sangha" include "Deshiya Gana" and "Balatkara Gana" traditions. Modern "Digambara" community is divided into various sub-sects viz. "Terapanthi", "Bispanthi", "Taranpanthi" (or "Samayiapanthi"), "Gumanapanthi" and "Totapanthi". Digambara