Life of Mahavir
Goshalak
गोशालक · ગોશાળક
The disciple who wanted power, and the teacher who answered fire with calm
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
Goshalak follows Mahavir for six years, then leaves to become a famous teacher himself. When he returns to Shravasti in anger, the meeting tests truth, pride and forgiveness.
What it teaches Pride Forgiveness Repentance Truth
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago there was a boy named Goshalak. He was born in a cowshed, so that is how he got his name. He was clever, but he was also very naughty.
When he grew up, Goshalak met Mahavir, the gentle monk. He thought, If I follow this monk, people will respect me too. So he walked with Mahavir for many years, from village to village, along dusty roads and through green forests.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Pride can lead us far from the path, but honest repentance can always bring us back.
To talk about together
Why is it sometimes hard to say I was wrong, and why does it help when we do?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.