Lay Followers
Kartik Sheth
कार्तिक सेठ · કાર્તિક શેઠ
The merchant who served a proud man his dinner, and became king of the heavens
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
Kartik is the most respected merchant in Hastinapur and a devoted follower of the Jinas. When a famous ascetic who resents him demands that Kartik serve him his meal, the king orders it, and Kartik must decide how to answer a public insult.
What it teaches Humility Right Faith Patience
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago in the city of Hastinapur lived a good merchant named Kartik. He was kind and honest, and he loved the teachings of the Jinas. Everyone trusted him, because he never cheated anyone.
One day a proud man named Gairik came to the city. He had not eaten for a whole month, and everyone praised him. But Kartik did not bow to him as a teacher, and Gairik did not like that at all.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
When someone tries to make us small, humility keeps us steady.
To talk about together
How do you think Kartik stayed calm when Gairik teased him in front of everyone?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.