Monks and Acharyas
Anandghanji
आनंदघनजी · આનંદઘનજી
A wandering monk who owned nothing and sang songs that are still sung today
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Shvetambar telling
Anandghan was a Jain monk who left behind fame, comfort and even his own name, and wandered among the hills singing to the Tirthankars. His songs carried a joy that no one could buy.
What it teaches Detachment Devotion Inner joy Freedom
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago there was a gentle monk named Anandghan. His name means a cloud full of happiness. And he really was happy, all the time, from deep inside.
Anandghan did not want a big house or nice things. He liked to walk in the quiet hills and sit under the trees. There he sang songs to the Tirthankars. His songs were soft and sweet, like a lullaby. Birds sat in the branches and listened. The wind moved softly through the leaves, as if it were listening too.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
The joy that comes from inside cannot be bought, and cannot be taken away.
To talk about together
What makes you feel happy deep inside, even without any things?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.