Parables of Wisdom
The Merchant's Four Wives
व्यापारी की चार पत्नियाँ · વેપારીની ચાર પત્નીઓ
A rich man must make a long journey, and only one companion will walk with him
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
A wealthy merchant has four wives and loves them very differently. When he is called on a long journey, he asks each of them to come with him, and their answers surprise him.
What it teaches Dharma Non-attachment What truly lasts
The opening of the children's telling
Once there was a rich man who had four wives.
He loved his fourth wife the most. He gave her pretty clothes and sweets every day. He was very proud of his third wife and liked to show her off to everyone. His second wife was his helper, and he talked to her whenever he was sad. But his first wife he almost forgot. She was quiet and kind, but he hardly ever spoke to her.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Every day, feed the one companion who walks with you all the way: your dharma.
To talk about together
What is one thing you can do today to take care of your dharma, your first wife?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.