The Tirthankaras
Balbhadra Ram
बलभद्र राम · બલભદ્ર રામ
A grieving brother, a patient friend, and a deer who knew how to give
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
When his beloved brother Krishna leaves this world, Balbhadra cannot accept it. A friend from heaven helps him see the truth, and he turns to a life of quiet penance in the forest, where the most unlikely companion becomes his helper.
What it teaches Grief and letting go Detachment Compassion Pure giving
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago there were two brothers, Krishna and Balbhadra. They loved each other very much. Balbhadra was very strong, and he had a big, soft heart.
One day Krishna's life came to an end in a quiet forest. Balbhadra was so sad that he could not believe it. He carried his brother with him everywhere and would not let him go.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Rejoicing in another's goodness is itself a kind of goodness.
To talk about together
The deer had nothing to give, yet he shared the same reward. What does that tell us about what really counts?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.