The Tirthankaras
The Third Triad: Svayambhu and Meraka
तीसरी त्रयी: स्वयंभू और मेरक · ત્રીજી ત્રિપુટી: સ્વયંભૂ અને મેરક
Two loving brothers, a stolen gift, and an old wish that would not let go
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
In the time of Bhagwan Vimalnath, two princes of Dwarka seize a gift meant for the most powerful king in the land, and a wish made in a past life comes back to shape all three of their lives.
What it teaches Brotherly love Pride The danger of nidan
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, in the city of Dwarka, there lived two princes who loved each other very much. The elder was Bhadra, fair like the moon. The younger was Svayambhu, dark and shining like a jewel. They played together, learned together and never wanted to be apart.
In a life before this one, Svayambhu had been a king who lost his kingdom in a game of dice. People laughed at him, and it hurt him deeply. Even after he became a monk, he could not forget that hurt. He made a wish: one day I will beat the king who took my kingdom. That wish stayed with his soul, like a little seed.
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To carry into the day
A wish made in anger can follow us for lifetimes, so let us wish only for peace.
To talk about together
Dhanamitra could not forget being laughed at. What helps you let go of an unkind moment?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.