Here is the simple story of Aimutta Muni (Balmuni Aimutta):

1. Childhood and meeting Gautam Swami

In the city of Polaspur, a six-year-old prince named Aimutta lived with his parents, King Vijay and Queen Shrimati.

One day, while playing in the street with his friends, he saw Gautam Swami, the chief disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir, going for gohi (alms).

Small Aimutta happily ran to him and requested: “Please come to my house for food. My mother and I will be very happy.”

Gautam Swami agreed and went with him to the palace. Queen Shrimati saw them from the balcony, became very happy, came down, bowed with “Matthenam Vandāmi” and welcomed Gautam Swami with great devotion.

She told Aimutta, “This is Gautam Swami, a great disciple of Lord Mahavir.” Then she sent Aimutta to bring his favourite food to offer.

Aimutta brought laddus and kept pouring many laddus in the pot, even when Gautam Swami said, “This is enough.” He was full of joy in dān (donating food to a sadhu).

2. Curiosity about Diksha

When Gautam Swami was about to leave, Aimutta said: “Your bag looks heavy, let me carry it for you.”

Gautam Swami replied: “This can be carried only by one who has taken diksha (renunciation).”

Aimutta asked, “What is diksha?”

Gautam Swami explained in a simple way:

• One leaves home, wealth and family.
• Gives up worldly life to become a sadhu.
• Tries to avoid himsa (violence) and paap karmas done in normal household life.
• Lives only for moksha (liberation).

Aimutta listened carefully and then said: “If diksha helps to stop sins and attain moksha, then why should I wait? No one knows who will die first – parents or children. I should take diksha now.”

3. Parents’ permission and diksha

Queen Shrimati tested him by asking some questions, but saw that her small son had true understanding and strong desire for the spiritual path.

She blessed him, saying:

• “Never forget that your goal is moksha.”
• “Always follow ahimsa (non‑violence).”

She also convinced King Vijay.

After a few days, Aimutta took diksha and became a young monk, known as Balmuni Aimutta.

You can read the full detailed story here AIMUTTA MUNI Part‑I:

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4. The mistake with water

Some time later, Balmuni Aimutta was returning from the bathroom. On the way he saw some children playing in a small water puddle with a paper boat.

Being still a small child, he became excited and for a moment forgot his monk vows. He asked the children, “Can I also play?” They happily agreed – they felt special that a sadhu wanted to play with them.

Aimutta took the lid of his utensil and started sailing it like a boat in the water, saying, “See, my boat is also sailing!”

Just then, some other monks came there and saw him playing in water. They lovingly but firmly said: “Balmuni, as monks we must not play like this. By playing in water, many water‑living beings (jal jeev) are harmed. We have taken a vow not to hurt any living being. You have broken your vow and collected paap karma.”

5. Deep repentance (prayaschitta)

Hearing this, Balmuni Aimutta was shocked and ashamed. He remembered his mother’s words and thought:

• “What have I done?”
• “I had promised never to do sinful activities.”
• “Because of my childish excitement, I caused so much himsa to water-beings.”

He sincerely repented in his heart and went back with the monks.

According to the daily discipline, after coming from outside, monks recite the Iriyāvahiyam Sūtra, in which they ask forgiveness if, while walking, they have harmed:

• tiny beings in water,
• green grass,
• clay/earth, etc.

When Balmuni recited the line meaning, “If I have hurt any living beings of water, grass, clay… I ask for forgiveness,” his repentance became very intense and pure.

He thought: “Oh living beings, I have harmed you. Please forgive me. I will never do this again.”

Because his prayaschitta (repentance) was extremely honest and from the depth of his soul, all his ghāti karmas (destructive karmas which block true knowledge, faith, etc.) were destroyed, and he attained Keval‑jnān (omniscience). He became Kevali Aimutta Muni at a very young age.

You can read the continuation here AIMUTTA MUNI Part‑II:

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6. In Bhagwan Mahavir’s samavasaran

After becoming a Kevali, Aimutta Muni went to the samavasaran (divine preaching assembly) of Bhagwan Mahavir.

There was a special place where Kevali munis sit. Aimutta Muni naturally started going towards that place.

Some senior monks, who did not know that he had become a Kevali, stopped him and said: “Oh Aimuttaji, that place is for Kevalis. You come and sit here with other ordinary monks.”

Bhagwan Mahavir then spoke: “Do not stop him. He is a Kevali now. While reciting Iriyāvahiyam Sūtra with true repentance, he destroyed his ghāti karmas and attained Keval‑jnān.”

Then all monks realized their mistake and understood:

• There is no age limit for becoming a Kevali.
• What matters is pure understanding, strong faith, and sincere practice.

Later, after completing his life span, Kevali Aimutta Muni attained moksha.

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7. Main teachings from Aimutta Muni’s story

1. Age is no barrier in Dharma

Even a six‑year‑old child can understand dharma deeply and walk on the path to moksha, if his bhav (inner feeling) is pure and determined.

1. True diksha is for moksha, not for show

Aimutta took diksha not for name, fame or emotion, but with clear understanding – to stop sins and reach liberation.

1. We must be extremely careful about himsa

Even in playing with water, countless jeevs can be harmed. Jain Dharma teaches very subtle ahimsa.

1. Everyone can make mistakes, even a monk

But the key point is: - Not to defend our mistake, - Not to hide it, - But to accept, regret, and change.

1. Power of sincere repentance (prayaschitta)

His one small mistake with great, pure repentance became the cause of destroying heavy karmas. This shows: - Unintentional sins + honest repentance can be washed away. - But intentionally doing wrong thinking “later I will do pratikraman” does not help.

1. Respect for all spiritual levels

Even senior monks must be careful; someone younger or newer may be much more spiritually advanced.

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This is the simple and inspiring story of Aimutta Muni, who shows us that:

• Real spirituality depends on bhavna (inner feeling), not on age or size of body.
• And that true ahimsa + true pratikraman can take us towards Keval‑jnān and moksha.