Monk Metaryas Ultimate Sacrifice

Dadi**: "Guddu, would you endure terrible pain to protect a small bird?"

Guddu**: "I don't know, Dadi. Pain is scary."

Dadi**: "Tonight I'll tell you about Monk Metarya, who gave his life rather than cause harm to another living being."

Guddu**: "He died to save an animal?"

Dadi**: "To save a bird. Metarya was a disciple of Lord Mahavira himself - the founder of Jainism. He came from an untouchable family, but the Jain faith taught that all souls are equal."

Guddu**: "What happened to him?"

Dadi**: "On a scorching summer day, Metarya went begging for food. He was barefoot and bareheaded - that's how Jain monks travel. He reached the home of a wealthy goldsmith in Rajgrihi."

Guddu**: "Did the goldsmith give him food?"

Dadi**: "He was preparing to. But while he worked in his shop, he had made some tiny barley-shaped grains of gold - so realistic that a bird mistook them for real seeds!"

Guddu**: "Oh no!"

Dadi**: "The bird swallowed the golden grains and flew away. Metarya saw everything from where he stood quietly waiting."

Guddu**: "What did the goldsmith do?"

Dadi**: "When he discovered his gold was missing, he suspected the monk! 'You must have stolen it!' he accused. But Metarya couldn't explain what really happened."

Guddu**: "Why not?"

Dadi**: "Because if he told the goldsmith about the bird, what would happen?"

Guddu**: "The goldsmith would kill the bird to get his gold back!"

Dadi**: "Exactly. Metarya chose silence to protect the bird's life. He refused to speak even when the goldsmith beat him. Even when the torture increased."

Guddu**: "What did the goldsmith do?"

Dadi**: "He wrapped a wet leather band around Metarya's head. As leather dries, it tightens. Slowly, agonizingly, it squeezed tighter and tighter."

Guddu**: "That's horrible!"

Dadi**: "Through unbearable pain, Metarya maintained equanimity. He reasoned: 'This body is temporary. What is permanent is my soul and its commitment to non-violence.'"

Guddu**: "He didn't break?"

Dadi**: "Never. And here's the miraculous part. Through this supreme test, his consciousness became so pure that he achieved Kevaljnan - omniscience - even while dying!"

Guddu**: "He became enlightened through suffering?"

Dadi**: "Through non-violence maintained to the ultimate degree. At the same moment the leather band killed his body, his soul achieved liberation. He went straight to moksha."

Guddu**: "All for a little bird..."

Dadi**: "For Metarya, there was no 'little' life. Every soul - bird or human - was sacred. This is ahimsa taken to its highest form. He would rather die than cause death."

Guddu**: "Dadi, I don't think I could do that."

Dadi**: "Most of us couldn't. But we can practice small ahimsa - being careful with insects, not hurting animals, speaking kindly. Each small act strengthens that muscle."

Guddu**: "Baby steps toward bigger compassion."

Dadi**: "Yes! Metarya's story isn't meant to make us feel bad. It's meant to inspire us. If such heights are possible, then our small kindnesses matter too."

Guddu**: "Every time I'm careful with a bug, I'm a tiny bit like Metarya?"

Dadi**: "Exactly. His story echoes through time whenever someone chooses mercy over harm. Sleep now, little protector of birds. May your dreams be gentle."