The Tirthankaras
Ambika Devi
अंबिका देवी · અંબિકા દેવી
A mother who fed a hungry monk, and a dry mango tree that bloomed
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
On a busy feast day, a young mother gives food to a monk who has fasted for a month, and her angry family sends her away with her two little sons. On the road to Mount Girnar, something wonderful happens to a withered mango tree.
What it teaches Generosity Faith A Mother's Love
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, in a town in Gujarat, there lived a kind young mother named Ambika. She had two little boys. She loved them very much.
One day her family was cooking a big feast. Nobody was allowed to eat yet. Just then, a Jain monk came to the door. He had not eaten for a whole month!
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
A gift given with a glad heart can make even dry places bloom.
To talk about together
Ambika shared food even when it was hard. What is something you could share with someone tomorrow?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.