Nandishen Muni : A Perfect Example Of Vaiyavachch
April 1, 2026
Long ago, in the city of Ujjayani, King Gunachandra ruled wisely. His son, the young prince, was a Jain by birth. However, under the influence of his best friend – the royal priest’s son – he became mischievous. Together, they sometimes teased Jain Sadhus who came to the palace.
One day, King Gunachandra’s brother, Sagarachandra, who had accepted Diksha, visited the palace. When the two friends saw him, they began teasing him too. Saint Sagarachandra, hurt by their behavior, used his powers to make their arms and legs stiff and painful.
King Gunachandra rushed to see what had happened and recognized the Sadhu as his brother. Saint Sagarachandra said, “It is wrong for to trouble Sadhus. I will remove their pain only if they promise to accept Diksha.” The boys, unable to bear the pain, agreed. Their pain vanished, and they both became Jain Sadhus.
The prince was happy his uncle had guided him, but the priest’s son secretly disliked the way it was done and even felt uncomfortable about the unwashed clothes and unbathed body. Still, both lived disciplined lives and, after death, went to Dev Loka.
In Devlok, the two friends agreed: if one left Devlok before the other, the one who stayed would visit to remind the other about Dharma. The priest’s son was the first to leave Devlok. Because of the irritation he once felt towards Sadhus, he was bo into a poor Chandala (outcast) family in Rajgruhi. His name was Metarya.
Metarya’s mother worked in wealthy houses and became close to a merchant’s wife, Dhanashri, who could not have children. Secretly, Metarya’s mother gave her son to Dhanashri, who raised him as her own.
Metarya’s old friend, the Deva, came to him in dreams, reminding him of Dharma, but Metarya ignored him.
When Metarya grew up, he was set to marry eight daughters of wealthy merchants. During the wedding procession, the Deva entered his birth father’s body and shouted, “Metarya! You are my son. You cannot marry these girls; they are not from our caste!” The truth came out, and Metarya was humiliated.
Ashamed, Metarya told the Deva, “If you want me to follow Dharma, first restore my honor. Get me married to King Shrenik’s daughter. Twelve years after that, I promise to take Diksha.” The Deva agreed.
The Deva gifted Metarya a magical goat that produced gems. Metarya’s father took these gems to King Shrenik and asked for his daughter’s hand for Metarya. The King refused and insulted him. Still, Metarya’s father brought a plate of gems to the King every day.
Finally, the King’s son, Abhaykumar, asked how they got the gems. When told about the goat, he tested it and found it truly magical. He also realized Metarya was blessed by a Deva. King Shrenik happily married his daughter – and the eight merchant daughters – to Metarya, restoring his honor.
Metarya lived happily with his nine wives. Twelve years later, the Deva came to remind him of his promise, but the wives begged for twelve more years. The Deva agreed.
After twenty-four years of marriage, Metarya finally took Diksha and became a Jain Sadhu. His wives also became Jain Sadhvis. Metarya studied deeply and gained vast knowledge of the Purvas (ancient Jain scriptures).
Metarya took the Ekaki Pratima vow, living alone and doing severe penance. One day in Rajgruhi, he went to a goldsmith’s house for alms. The goldsmith had just made 108 gold grains for King Shrenik. While the goldsmith went inside, a bird flew in and ate all the gold grains, mistaking them for food.
When the goldsmith retued and saw the gold was gone, he suspected Metarya. Out of compassion for the bird, Metarya stayed silent.
The goldsmith tied wet animal skin around Metarya’s head and left him in the sun, demanding the truth. As it dried, it became painfully tight. Yet Metarya remained calm and meditated. Through deep Shukla-Dhyana meditation, he destroyed all his Karmas, attained Kevala Jnana, and finally achieved salvation.
This jain story teaches us that kindness and non-violence are the heart of Jainism. Even the smallest living beings deserve our protection. In this kids story, Metarya Muni showed compassion, even at great personal cost, and reached the highest spiritual state.
