Nandishen Muni : A Perfect Example Of Vaiyavachch
April 1, 2026
A long time ago, when Bhagavan Neminath was alive, there was a village named Nandi in the state of Magadha. In this village lived a Brahmin named Somil and his wife Somila. They had a baby boy named Nandishen. Sadly, both parents passed away when Nandishen was very young. Because of his past Paap-Karmas, he was bo with very dark skin, crooked teeth, and a strangely shaped head. People teased him, and even his relatives didn’t want to keep him. Only his kind-hearted uncle took him in. Nandishen grew up herding cattle and doing small chores. One day, his uncle promised, “I will marry one of my seven daughters to you.” But when the daughters heard this, they refused and insulted Nandishen. Everywhere he went, people rejected him because of his looks.
Hurt and sad, Nandishen decided to end his life. He went to a mountain, ready to jump. Just then, a Jain Sadhu stopped him and said: If you die, your sorrows will not end. Follow the path of Dharma taught by the Arihantas, and you will destroy your past Karmas. Your next births will be better. Nandishen understood. He gave up worldly life and took Diksha, becoming Muni Nandishen. He studied the Jain scriptures deeply and made a vow: I will never eat before serving a young Sadhu, an elderly Sadhu, or a Tapasvi Sadhu.
One day, after fasting for two days, Muni Nandishen was about to eat. Suddenly, a “Sadhu” came running and said, “A Sadhu is sick outside the village and needs help.” Without hesitation, Nandishen left his meal, collected clean water, and went to the sick Sadhu—who was actually a Dev in disguise, testing him. The sick Sadhu’s clothes were dirty and smelly. Instead of feeling disgusted, Nandishen thought, “I am lucky to serve him.” He cleaned the Sadhu, carried him on his shoulders to the shelter, and cared for him patiently—even when the “illness” made his own clothes dirty. Seeing his sincerity, the Deva revealed his true form, bowed to Nandishen, and praised him for his dedicated service (Vaiyavaccha).
Muni Nandishen lived as a Sadhu for 12,000 years, serving other Sadhus and studying scriptures. Before his death, he took Anshana (fasting unto death). During this time, he remembered the insults he had faced as a young man and wished to be liked by everyone in his next life. After death, he was rebo as a handsome prince named Vasudev, father of Lord Krishna, with 72,000 wives. Because of his selfless service in his past life as a Sadhu, everyone admired him. Eventually, his soul attained Moksha.
This jainism story teaches us that no matter how bad life feels, we should never give up. By following the path of Dharma and serving others selflessly—just like Nandishen—we can change our future for the better.
