Parables of Wisdom
Dharmaraja's Righteousness
धर्मराज का धर्म · ધર્મરાજનો ધર્મ
A famine was foretold, the rain came anyway, and no one could say why
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
An astrologer predicts twelve years of famine, but the rains come and the fields overflow. The king is ready to punish him, until a visiting monk explains a hidden reason.
What it teaches Generosity Merit Truthfulness
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, a king named Bhadrashekhar ruled a city called Sarvamangala. One day a wise astrologer came to see him. "There will be no rain for twelve years," said the astrologer. "There will be no food." The king felt very worried. "What will my people eat?" he wondered.
Everyone was worried. But when the rainy season came, a big cloud floated across the sky. Pitter patter, pitter patter, down came the rain! The farmers grew so much food, more than ever before. The fields turned green, and golden grain grew tall. Everyone had plenty to eat, and the children laughed and played.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
The good we do, even when we have very little, carries far beyond what we can see.
To talk about together
The poor man had nothing to give, yet he took vows. Why do you think that mattered so much?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.