Anandi, aka: Ānandī, Ānandi, Anāndi; 10 Definition(s)

Introduction

Anandi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

India history and geogprahy

Anandi (or, Anāndi) refers to one of the 84 castes (gaccha) in the Jain community according to Prof. H. H. Wilson. The Jain caste and sub-caste system was a comparatively later development within their community, and it may have arisen from the ancient classification of Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya and Śūdra. Before distinction of these classes (such as Anandi), the society was not divided into distinct separate sections, but all were considered as different ways of life and utmost importance was attached to individual chartacter and mode of behaviour.

According to Dr. Vilas Adinath Sangava, “Jainism does not recognise castes (viz., Anandi) as such and at the same time the Jaina books do not specifically obstruct the observance of caste rules by the members of the Jaina community. The attitude of Jainism towards caste is that it is one of the social practices, unconnected with religion, observed by people; and it was none of its business to regulate the working of the caste system” (source).

The legendary account of the origin of these 84 Jain castes (eg., Anandi) relate that once a rich Jain invited members of the Jain community in order to establish a vaiśya-mahāsabhā (i.e. Central Association of Traders). In response, 84 representatives came from different places, and they were later seen as the progenitors of these castes. Various sources however mention differences in the list.

Ānandī (आनन्दी) is the name of the wife of Bhāskararāya (C. 1685-1775 C.E.): a polymath of 18th century and the son of Gambhīrarāya Bhāratī and Konamāmbā of Viśvāmitragotra and younger brother of Sakhārāma. Bhāskararāya married to Ānandī, who afterward became famous in the name of Padmāvatyambikā and by their union a boy namely Pāṇḍuraṅga took birth. He also married another lady namely Pārvatī during his tour to Gujarat. He migrated to the banks of Krishna river from Benares. Towards the end of his life, he resided at Bhāskararājapuram (on the banks of river Kāverī), gifted to him by the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur.

Ānandī or Āṇandī is one of the Brāhmaṇa donees mentioned in the “Asankhali plates of Narasiṃha II” (1302 A.D.). When a grant was made to a large number of Brāhmaṇas, the chief amongst the donees seems to have been called Pānīyagrāhin especially. In the present record, though all the donees (eg., Ānandī) are referred to as Pāṇigrāhi-mahājana, their list is headed by a Brāhmaṇa with Pāṇigrahī as his surname.

These copper plates (mentioning Ānandī) were discovered from the house of a Santal inhabitant of Pargana Asankhali in the Mayurbhanj State (Orissa). It was made when king Vīra-Narasiṃhadeva was staying at the Bhairavapura-kaṭaka (city, camp or residence).

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

ānandī : (adj.) joyful.

Ānandī, (f.) (ā + nandī, cp. ānanda) joy, happiness in cpd. ānandi-citta J.VI, 589 (so read probably for ānandi vitta: see ānandati). (Page 100)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

ānandī (आनंदी).—a (ānanda) Gay, lively, ever joyous and gleeful.

ānandī (आनंदी).—a Gay, lively ānandita p Rejoiced.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ānandi (आनन्दि).—[ā-nand-in]

1) Joy, happiness; कौसल्यानन्दिवर्धनः (kausalyānandivardhanaḥ) Rām.

2) Curiosity.

Derivable forms: ānandiḥ (आनन्दिः).

Ānandi (आनन्दि).—m.

(-ndiḥ) Happiness, pleasure; also ānandī f. (-ndī) E. āṅ before nadi to be happy, and ki aff.

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