The Frog and King Shrenik

Lord Mahavira arrived at Mount Vaipulgiri near the city of Rajgriha. King Shrenik, a devoted follower, organized a massive royal procession to go listen to the Lord's discourse. He marched with elephants, horses, soldiers, and loud drums.

In a nearby pond, a small frog heard the joyous news that Mahavira had arrived. Overjoyed, the frog picked up a small petal of a lotus flower in its mouth and began hopping toward the mountain to offer it to the Tirthankara.

As the frog was crossing the road, King Shrenik's massive procession passed by. Tragically, the small frog was crushed under the heavy foot of the king's lead elephant and died instantly.

When King Shrenik arrived at the assembly, he asked Mahavira, "Lord, who among your devotees here has earned the highest spiritual merit today? Was it me, with my grand royal offering?"

Mahavira smiled and replied, "O King, the highest merit was earned by a small frog who died under your elephant's foot. He carried only a single flower petal, but his heart was filled with such pure, absolute devotion that upon death, he was immediately reborn as a powerful heavenly being (Deva)."

Just then, the Deva (who was the frog moments before) arrived in the assembly in a divine chariot to pay respects to Mahavira, proving the Lord's words. King Shrenik realized that pomp and wealth mean nothing compared to the purity of the heart.