Life of Mahavir
Triprishta Vasudev: The Lion and the Lead
त्रिपृष्ठ वासुदेव: सिंह और सीसा · ત્રિપૃષ્ઠ વાસુદેવ: સિંહ અને સીસું
The soul that would become Mahavir, in a life of great strength and one cruel night
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
Long before he became Bhagwan Mahavir, his soul was born as Triprishta, a prince so strong that he could face a lion with bare hands. But one order given in anger at dawn would follow him for many lives.
What it teaches Karma returns Anger Strength and restraint
The opening of the children's telling
Long, long ago, before he became Bhagwan Mahavir, his soul was born as a prince named Triprishta. He was very, very strong. His big brother Achal was gentle and wise, and the two brothers loved each other.
One day a fierce lion was frightening the farmers in the rice fields. Triprishta and Achal went to help. When the lion came out, Triprishta put down his weapons. The lion has no sword, he said, so I will not use one either. And with his bare hands, he defeated the lion.
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To carry into the day
Strength is great, but strength that can hold back its anger is greater.
To talk about together
Triprishta was fair to the lion but cruel to his attendant. Why do you think the same person could act so differently?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.