Life of Mahavir
The Eleven Ganadharas
ग्यारह गणधर · અગિયાર ગણધર
Eleven proud scholars came to win a debate, and each found a hidden question answered
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
At a grand fire ceremony, eleven of the most learned Brahmins of Magadh watch the gods fly past them to honour a wandering monk. One by one they go to challenge him, and one by one they stay.
What it teaches Humility Open-mindedness Seeking truth
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, eleven very clever teachers came to a big festival. They knew lots and lots of things, and they were a little bit proud.
Suddenly they saw shining gods flying in the sky. Oh, the gods are coming to us! they said. But the gods flew right past them, to see a gentle monk named Mahavir.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
A humble question opens the door that pride keeps shut.
To talk about together
What is a question you have wondered about for a long time?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.