Monks and Acharyas
Equanimity in Distress
संकट में समता · સંકટમાં સમતા
The young monk who stayed at peace through the hardest night of his life
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
Gajsukumal, the beloved younger brother of Shri Krishna, becomes a monk on the very day he hears Bhagwan Neminath. That same night, alone in meditation, he faces a terrible test from a man filled with anger.
What it teaches Equanimity Forgiveness Renunciation
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, in the shining city of Dwarka, a mother named Devaki wished for a baby to love and hold. Her son, the great Shri Krishna, prayed and fasted for her. Soon a sweet baby boy was born. He was so soft and gentle that they named him Gajsukumal.
Everyone loved Gajsukumal. When he grew up, he went with his big brother Krishna to hear Bhagwan Neminath. As he listened, Gajsukumal felt a deep wish to live as a monk, peaceful and free. His family was sad, but at last they let him go.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
When we meet harm without anger, even our enemy cannot take away our peace.
To talk about together
Neminath said the man who hurt Gajsukumal had also helped him. What do you think he meant?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.