Life of Mahavir
Sangam's Six Months of Tests
संगम देव के उपसर्ग · સંગમ દેવના ઉપસર્ગ
A proud god tries everything to break Mahavir's peace, and finds only tears of compassion
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
When Indra praises Mahavir's steadiness, a proud god sets out to prove him wrong. What follows is the hardest test of Mahavir's life, and its ending surprises even the god.
What it teaches Equanimity Compassion Patience Forgiveness
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, Mahavir was a gentle monk who loved to sit very still and think peaceful thoughts. Up in heaven, Indra, the king of the gods, said, Nobody can disturb Mahavir's peace. He is the calmest person in the world.
But one god, named Sangam, was proud. He said, I can disturb him! And he flew down to earth.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
The deepest compassion wishes well even for those who cause us pain.
To talk about together
Why do you think Mahavir cried for Sangam instead of feeling glad that the tests were over?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.