Life of Mahavir
Mahavir Jayanti
महावीर जयंती · મહાવીર જયંતી
What birthday present do you give to someone who gave everything away?
- 3 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
Seven year old Kavya is excited about Bhagwan Mahavir's birthday, but she is puzzled about what present to give someone who gave away a whole kingdom. Her Nani helps her find the answer.
What it teaches Ahimsa Giving Festivals
The opening of the children's telling
Kavya woke up early. Nani said, Today is Bhagwan Mahavir's birthday! Kavya thought of balloons and a big cake.
But there was no cake. Instead, they went to the temple. There were flowers and songs, and a pretty chariot rolled down the street. Kavya held Nani's hand and skipped to the drums. Everyone sang happy songs, and the air smelled of flowers and sweets.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
The best gift for Bhagwan Mahavir is one kind act he could see in the way we live.
To talk about together
What kind act could be our present to Bhagwan Mahavir tomorrow?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.