Jain Stories

King Shrenika, hunting, encountered monk Yamadhar in deep meditation. Enraged when the monk ignored him, he released hunting dogs and shot arrows, but all attempts failed. Queen Chelna tended the monks wounds. Yamadhar showed no anger toward his attacker nor gratitude toward his healer, demonstrating perfect equanimity. Both became devoted disciples of Mahavira.

Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara, taught humanity the foundations of civilized life including agriculture, writing (Brahmi script), arithmetic, pottery, and weaving. He instituted marriage, almsgiving, and funeral rites, transforming primitive society into organized civilization before renouncing worldly life to become a monk.

Prince Parshvanatha through divine perception saw a snake couple trapped inside burning wood during a Brahmins fire sacrifice. Despite protests, he had the wood split open, revealing the dying snake. He recited the Namokar Mantra for the snake, who was reborn as divine serpent-god Dharanendra. This act created a karmic bond that would later save Parshvanathas life.

During Parshvanathas intense meditation, his enemy Kamath (reborn as rain-god Meghmali) attacked with storms and floods seeking revenge from nine previous lives. Dharanendra, whom Parshvanatha had saved in the fire, appeared and placed a lotus beneath the meditating saint, then spread his many hoods to shelter him. Parshvanatha remained in perfect equanimity.

After Neminatha abandoned their wedding to become a monk, Princess Rajimati followed and took initiation as a nun. When Neminathas brother Rathanemi tried to seduce her in a cave, she admonished him powerfully, saying succumbing to desire would be like consuming vomit. Her words awakened his spirituality, and she achieved liberation.

At age 30, Prince Vardhamana left his palace, removed his royal finery, and plucked out his hair in five handfuls under an ashoka tree. For twelve and a half years, he wandered as a naked ascetic, practicing severe austerities, never harming even the smallest creature. On Diwali night, he attained Kevala Jnana and became Mahavira, the Great Hero.

Sthulabhadra, consumed by infatuation with dancer Kosha, renounced everything after his fathers death revealed lifes impermanence. Years later, to test his detachment, he spent the monsoon retreat in Koshas gallery. She tried every seduction, but he remained unmoved. Recognizing his transformation, Kosha asked for spiritual instruction and became a devoted follower.

Monk Metarya, born as an untouchable but accepted as equal in the Jain order, came for alms at a goldsmiths house. When a bird swallowed golden grains and he was accused of theft, Metarya chose to endure torture and death rather than expose the innocent bird to harm. His martyrdom demonstrates that protecting even the smallest creatures life surpasses ones own existence.

Princess Malli was born with extraordinary beauty due to past-life karma. Contemplating the fleeting nature of worldly life and beauty, she developed acute detachment. Renouncing her royal status, she took self-initiation as an ascetic. Through intense spiritual practice, she attained Kevala Jnana, becoming the 19th Tirthankara, proving liberation transcends gender.

After Rishabhadeva divided his kingdom, Bharata sought submission from brother Bahubali. Though Bahubali won all three contests, he gently placed his brother down instead of harming him. Struck by the futility of conflict, he used his raised hand not to strike but to pull out his hair in renunciation, standing in meditation so long that creepers grew around his legs.

Princess Vasumati, sold as slave Chandanbala, was starved by her jealous mistress. Mahavira had vowed to only accept food from someone meeting impossible conditions. After five months, he came to Chandanbala - when she wept with heartbreak at his turning away, her tears completed the conditions. Upon accepting her offering, divine powers restored her hair and royal attire.

Lord Neminatha was proceeding in a grand wedding procession to marry Princess Rajimati when he heard cries of animals being held for slaughter for the feast. Overcome with compassion, he immediately freed all animals, abandoned his wedding chariot, and walked to Mount Girnar to become a monk, embodying the supreme principle of ahimsa.

King Megharath, a past incarnation of Tirthankara Shantinatha, saw a pigeon being chased by a falcon. When the pigeon sought refuge, the king vowed to protect it. The falcon demanded flesh equal to the pigeons weight. Without hesitation, Megharath sliced flesh from his own body. The falcon, actually a deity testing him, revealed itself and begged forgiveness.

Prince Meghakumar learned from Mahavira about his past life as elephant king Meruprabha. During a forest fire, when a rabbit jumped under his raised foot, Meruprabha held his leg aloft for two and a half days to avoid crushing it. His leg became stiff; he fell and died in agony, but his supreme compassion earned him rebirth as a prince.