“World Happiness Day” is a global observance celebrated annually on March 20th.Yesteday we observed that.
Let Happiness be forever:
The United Nations designated this day to promote happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of people around the world. The idea behind World Happiness Day is to recognize that happiness is a fundamental human goal, and that promoting happiness can help to promote social progress, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Let us look what is Happiness in the perspective of Vedanta?
Joy, Bliss and Happiness are all same. In Sanskrit, we say this as “Ananda”.
According to Vedanta, the goal of Human is ” Attyantika Dukshya Nibritti, Paramananda praptyachya”.
Our aim to increase happiness and well-being among individuals, communities, and societies can be achieved through ONENESS. For that, our activities may include gaining true knowledge, the Awareness along with practice mindfulness exercises, gratitude practices, community service, charity work, and other positive actions that promote happiness and well-being.
Vedanta teaches that the root cause of our suffering is our identification with the body-mind complex and our attachment to external objects and experiences. When we identify with the limited and impermanent aspects of ourselves and seek happiness through external means, we experience only temporary and fleeting pleasure, which is always followed by pain and dissatisfaction.
A small post on the basis of ancient Indian Philosophy.
According to Vedanta, happiness is not something that can be acquired from external sources, but rather it is an inherent aspect of our true nature. In Vedanta, our true nature is referred to as Atman or Brahman, which is the ultimate reality that underlies all existence. Happiness, therefore, is not a state that can be achieved through external means, but rather it is the natural state of being that arises when we realize our true nature.
The Taittiriya Upanishad, the Brahmananda Valli section, describes joy or Ananda as an aspect of Brahman, the ultimate reality.
According to this Upanishad, “Brahman” is not just the cause of the Universe(s), but also the source of infinite joy and bliss. The Brahmananda Valli explains that the experience of joy arises when we are in harmony with the divine essence of Brahman, and that this joy is not limited by time, space or circumstances.
The text describes different levels of joy, including the physical pleasure derived from sensory experiences, the joy of the mind derived from intellectual pursuits, and the ultimate joy of the soul that arises from union with Brahman. It suggests that the joy derived from sensory experiences and intellectual pursuits is fleeting and limited, while the joy of the soul is eternal and limitless.
The Taittiriya Upanishad emphasizes the importance of seeking this ultimate joy by purifying the mind and practicing spiritual disciplines such as meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion to Brahman. It suggests that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize our true nature as divine beings and experience the unbounded joy and bliss that comes with this realization.
Long back I published a post ” What is Joy” in three parts. The links are given below. You may have a look.
Thank you, Arun, for your take on the concept of HAPPINESS, according to ancient Indian scriptures.
Joanna
Thank you so much Joanna for your support and encouragements. It came into my mind to write something on Happiness.
Take care. Regards.
Arun
Sir, when it comes to happiness many look for instant gratification which seem to fade away in the speed of light. Pursuing ‘happiness’ term is overrated by self acclaimed help gurus and instead of looking at the shadow it is time to reflect on present moment of stillness. Happiness is not a destination to be reached, but rather a journey to be embraced. Allow me to share one of the famous spiritual leader’s statement – ‘Like the bone that is bitten by a dog. When the dog bites the bone, you know the bone does not have even a drop of blood. The bone is as dry as bone. That’s why we say when anything is dry is bone-dry. But still the dog bites the bone and the bone hurts the very mouth of the dog and blood comes from dog’s own mouth. And dog uses a funny logic; what is the logic? Before biting the bone, no blood; after biting the bone; blood; therefore, bone is the source of blood. We say this is dog-logic’ Hope it makes sense. Thank you for your great article. Be safe. 🙂
Thank you so much for adding insights on this post.
Bone 🦴 and dog 🐶 example is the most appropriate that you have mentioned.
This example I have heard from Swami Sarvapriyanda in one of his YouTube lectures.
Indeed Happiness is not the destination.
We are ever happy but we don’t realise. Our swarup is Ananada.
Thank you so much for your comments 😊
Best wishes