Karuṇā (in both Sanskrit and Pali) is generally translated as "compassion" or "pity". It is part of the spiritual path of both Buddhism and Jainism.

Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed. - The Buddha.

Karuṇā is important in all schools of Buddhism. For Theravāda Buddhists, dwelling in karuṇā is a means for attaining a happy present life and heavenly rebirth. For Mahāyāna Buddhists, karuṇā is a co-requisite for becoming a bodhisattva.

In Theravāda Buddhism, karuṇā is one of the four "divine abodes" (brahmavihāra), along with loving kindness (Pāli: mettā), sympathetic joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha). In the Pali canon, the Buddha recommends cultivating these four virtuous mental states to both householders and monastics. When one develops these four states, the Buddha counsels radiating them in all directions, as in the following stock canonical phrase regarding karuṇā:

Brahmananad Swami (Devnagari: ब्रह्मान्द स्वामी) (1772-1832) was a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and one of Swaminarayan's Paramahamsas.

Brahmanand Swami was born Ladudan to Gadhavi Shambhudanji Aashiya and Laluba Charan in Khan village, at the foot of Mount Abu, in sirohi district of Rajasthan in 1772.

At a young age In the royal court he sang poems in Gujarati. The Rana of sirohi, impressed with him, directed to be taught Pingal (science of constructing poetry) to the child at the cost of the state, hence Ladudan was well educated and later became a part of King of Udaipurs court. Ladudan learnt pingal and Sanskrit scriptures from Ladhaji Rajput of Dhamadka, becoming a scholar in Pingal, poetry and scriptures. Ladudan earned fame and wealth by visitng stately courts of Jaipur, Jodhpur among others, which were impressed by his poetry.

Ladudan was in Bhuj where he had heard about Swaminarayan and went to meet him. Swaminarayan was addressing a gathering in Bhuj. Ladunan was attracted to him. Swaminarayan returned to Gadhada with poet Ladudan. Ladudan lived a majestic and royal life befitting a courtier. He was always clad in most precious attires and was adorning jewellery befitting royalty. Swaminarayan did not like such luxurious life style but instead of preaching directly he changed Ladudan. He did so and became an ascetic. On the way from Gadhpur to Siddhapur, there is one small village named Gerita. Swaminarayan stopped at Gerita and administrated Bhagwati Deeksha (initiation as sadhu) to Ladudan by giving sainthood name 'Shrirangdasji.' After some time, he renamed him as Brahmanand Swami.