Monks and Acharyas
Prasannachandra Rajarshi
प्रसन्नचंद्र राजर्षि · પ્રસન્નચંદ્ર રાજર્ષિ
The monk who stood perfectly still while a war raged in his mind
- 4 min full story
- 3 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
King Shrenik passes a monk standing in meditation and asks Bhagwan Mahavir where that monk would go if he died now. The answer changes every time he asks.
What it teaches Mind and Karma Repentance Equanimity
The opening of the children's telling
Prasannachandra was once a king. He was a good king, but in his heart he wanted something no kingdom could give. So he made his young son king, asked his ministers to help the boy, and became a monk with Bhagwan Mahavir.
Years later, near the city of Rajgruhi, the monk stood in meditation, very straight and very still, like a pillar. People passing by stopped to admire him.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Guard your thoughts, for the mind can carry you down or lift you up in a single moment.
To talk about together
Have you ever looked calm on the outside while feeling angry inside? What helped you come back to peace?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.