The Tirthankaras
Bhagwan Mallinath
भगवान मल्लिनाथ · ભગવાન મલ્લિનાથ
Six kings came to win a princess, and she showed them a golden statue
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
Six powerful kings surround the city of Mithila, each determined to marry the princess Malli. Instead of fighting, she invites them to look at a beautiful golden statue, and what they discover there changes their lives.
What it teaches Detachment Honesty Friendship across lifetimes
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, in the city of Mithila, a baby girl was born to a king and queen. Her mother loved flowers so much that they named the baby Malli, like the jasmine flower. Malli grew up to be wise and beautiful and very calm.
Six kings from six cities heard about Princess Malli. Each one wanted to marry her. When her father said no, all six kings brought their armies and stood around the city. Her father was worried. But Malli smiled and said, 'Do not worry, Father. I will talk to them.'
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Beauty of the body is only on the surface; a hidden deceit, even in a good deed, leaves its mark.
To talk about together
Why do you think Mahabal wanted to fast secretly longer than his friends, and how could he have done it differently?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.