Lay Followers
Nand Maniyar
नंद मणियार · નંદ મણિયાર
A jeweller who built a beautiful pond, and loved it a little too much
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
Nand the jeweller builds a splendid pond for thirsty travellers and grows famous for it. But his heart becomes so tied to the pond and the praise that his next life begins in its waters.
What it teaches Attachment Repentance Devotion
The opening of the children's telling
In the city of Rajgruhi lived a rich jeweller called Nand. One very hot summer, Nand was fasting, and he became so thirsty. He thought, When my fast is over, I will build a big pond, so that everyone who is thirsty can drink.
And he did! He built a beautiful pond with steps going down to cool water. All around it he planted gardens, and he made a kitchen for hungry people and a place where the sick were cared for. Everyone came to drink and rest, and they all said, "Thank you, Nand! How kind you are!"
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Do the good deed, and then let it go.
To talk about together
Building the pond was a kind thing to do. So where did Nand go wrong?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.