Life of Mahavir
The Nails in the Ears
कानों में कीलें · કાનમાં ખીલા
The last great hardship of Mahavir's long years of silence, and the doctor who helped
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
Near the end of his twelve and a half years of silent practice, Mahavir faced an angry cowherd, and a pain that had its roots in a life long before. A merchant and a doctor saw what no one else noticed, and chose to help.
What it teaches Equanimity Karma Compassion Service
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, Bhagwan Mahavir spent many years as a quiet monk. He did not speak at all. He just stood and thought peaceful thoughts, all day long.
One day, a cowherd came by with his oxen. 'Monk, watch my oxen for me,' he said, and went away. But Mahavir was meditating, so he did not answer. The oxen wandered off to eat grass.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Look carefully enough to notice hidden pain, and kindly enough to help heal it.
To talk about together
How can we tell when someone is hurting, even if they do not say so?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.