← Back to Glossary
Ānanda
आनन्दपुल्लिङ्ग (masculine) · आ (completeness) + नन्द् धातु (nand — to rejoice) · घञ् प्रत्यय
ānanda
Fundamental Concepts
Absolute fullness — the nature of Brahman as bliss
Ānanda is not a passing emotion or experience of pleasure. It is the very nature of reality — Brahman is sat-cit-ānanda (existence-consciousness-fullness). Every human search for happiness is, in truth, a search for ānanda, which is already the seeker's own nature. Vedānta knowledge reveals that happiness does not come from outside — it is what you are.
Related terms
Want to study Vedānta in depth?
Learn about our study programs →