Monks and Acharyas
Bhadra Maharshi and the Grass
भद्र महर्षि और घास · ભદ્ર મહર્ષિ અને ઘાસ
Soldiers mistook a silent monk for a spy, and his silence held no anger at all
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
Bhadra, a prince of Shravasti, becomes a monk and wanders alone. In a foreign kingdom he is arrested as a spy, and when he will not answer, the guards try to force him with pain, wrapping him in grass as sharp as blades.
What it teaches Endurance Forgiveness Silence
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, in the city of Shravasti, there was an honest prince named Bhadra. One day he heard a wise teacher speak about peace and kindness. Bhadra said, "I do not need a palace. I want a peaceful heart." So he became a monk.
Bhadra Muni liked to walk alone from place to place. He did not carry anything. He did not talk very much. He spent his days thinking quiet, good thoughts.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
The one who can bear pain without anger is the strongest person in the room.
To talk about together
Bhadra Muni did not get angry at the guards even though they were wrong. How can we stay calm when someone misunderstands us?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.