Life of Mahavir
Vardhaman at School
पाठशाला में वर्धमान · નિશાળમાં વર્ધમાન
The first day of school, and the old Brahmin with the hardest questions
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
Young Vardhaman is taken to school with great celebration. A mysterious old Brahmin arrives with questions so difficult that even the teacher has no answers.
What it teaches Humility Knowledge Respect for teachers
The opening of the children's telling
When Prince Vardhaman was about eight years old, his mother and father said, It is time for school! The whole palace got ready. There were new clothes, gifts for the teacher, and sweets for all the children.
On the first day, Vardhaman bowed to his teacher politely and sat down quietly with the other pupils. He did not boast or show off at all. He smiled at the other children and waited, ready to listen. He already knew a great deal, but he did not tell anyone.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Carry what you know gently, and share it without making anyone feel small.
To talk about together
How can we help a friend who does not understand something, without making them feel bad?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.