We all want to be happy but often mistake pleasures for happiness

Let us understand what pleasures are. They are obtained mainly through contact between our senses and their objects. Our senses are always looking for pleasures like eating, seeing, hearing, talking, etc. The next higher level is through our minds. These are through material gains like fame, power, wealth, etc. Then comes pleasure through intelligence like being able to invent something of importance, write something very creative, etc. The last one comes very close to real happiness, which is sukha, as described in the Bhagavad-Geeta.

In verse # 2.65, Lord Krishna states, “In the state of peaceful enjoyment, his all suffering ends soon, because the intelligence of a happy person is firmly established.” Believe it or not, in a state of having real intelligence, which is spiritual, one transcends the feeling of material suffering. In the next verse, the Lord clarifies about one, who is neither peaceful nor happy. Contrarily, there will be real intelligence of the faithful and for one who has faith, there will be proper consciousness, and for one who has proper consciousness, there will be peace, and from peace, happiness will be experienced. Such a person, a self-controlled person, by giving all acts, thereby attachments to their fruits by the mind, lives happily in the house having nine gates, neither really doing anything nor getting anything done. (5.13) He in fact reaches the stage of being satisfied by any benefit, which comes of its own accord due to acts done earlier. This in any case happens; our being attached to results doesn’t change the outcome. We thus avoid the pain of attachments. Aren’t we entitled only to what we have sown earlier?

Now regarding sense pleasures, Lord Krishna guides us when He says, “A person while engaged in action only for maintenance of one’s body, does not get afflicted by reactions. (5.21) A few examples will make it quite clear. We all have to eat to maintain our bodies. And we generally know also what is required of us. We go wrong when we eat what is not wholesome or nutritious. Similarly, we know what causes pollution of consciousness, when we see illicit and scary programmes, scenes, photos, etc. The Lord wants us to avoid them; He is not advocating stopping all-seeing. Even sex pleasures are allowed when the Lord affirmed, “I am passionate in beings, according to religious principles.” (7.11) Why was the institution of marriage promoted so strongly? Because it keeps us within acceptable limits. One who is capable of tolerating the urge caused by lust and anger in this world prior to leaving the body is a true yogi; he is a happy person.

“This sukha is beyond the senses. There is unlimited bliss, which can be experienced through the intelligence. A yogi realises it and thus situated does not get at all distracted from the absolute essence (God)”. (6.21) Such a person is happy from within; does not worry unnecessarily; and becomes free from craving for material objects, which are not required for the maintenance of one’s body. (18,54) He is in fact accompanied by God. (6.7) Meeraji said, “I am only for Giridhar Gopal, no one else.” Adi Shankaracharya cajoled us to “Bhaja Govindam” because that is where all sukha is. Why Shivaji is called – Aashutosh Ujagar? Because God only is the repository of all bliss.

What is the conclusion? If we are genuinely seeking happiness, we have to take shelter from God. Our minds and intelligence have to come together, i.e. they should both be surrendered to God. Senses have to be disciplined, only to seek objects, which are essential to maintain the body. The sequence is straightforward. One takes shelter from God, which is the first step. Over a period of time, one begins to feel secure, as that is where real security is, nowhere else. Peace begins to descend, and gradually one becomes happy, sukhi and blissful.

(The writer is a spiritual teacher, views are personal)