Life of Mahavir
Nandan Muni
नंदन मुनि · નંદન મુનિ
A king becomes a monk, and his quiet strength lights a lamp for the whole world
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
Two lives before he became Bhagwan Mahavir, his soul was born as Prince Nandan. This is the story of how a king who had everything chose a life of fasting and service, and why that life mattered so much.
What it teaches Tapas Compassion Perseverance
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, the soul of Bhagwan Mahavir was born as a prince named Nandan. He grew up to be a good and wise king. He had a beautiful palace and everything he could wish for.
But Nandan's heart was like a lotus flower. A lotus grows in a muddy pond, but its petals stay clean. Nandan lived among riches, but they did not make him greedy or proud.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Great goodness grows slowly, from small kindnesses repeated with a loving heart.
To talk about together
Nandan Muni wished for every living being to be happy. Whom can you wish happiness for tonight?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.