...What is the source of happiness?
What is the nature of happiness?
Are people around us the source of our happiness?
Is environment is the source of our happiness?
What is the price of happiness?
Whose right to have happiness?
Where comes happiness?
How it is felt and recognized?
From where people search for happiness?
Why some do not find some do?
What is the difference between satisfaction and happiness?
Thank You!
Your servant, bhaktin maral
Replies
Krsna's name means All-Attractive one, thus in essence he is the source of happiness because when someone is attracted to another person / thing, they find happiness in some amounts. A child gets a new toy and is very happy, two people meet and they get happiness, the phrase "laughter is the best medicine" also symbolizes happiness.
The very "symptoms" of happiness are such that you forget all your tensions and you concentrate solely on the object of affection. One's face lights up, and you can literally see the person beaming with happiness. but happiness exists on two levels: material (temporary) and spiritual (permanent). But these are just subsets of an overarching umbrella: action. Happiness is derived from action, be it thought or physical activity. When a child get a toy to play with his levels of happiness increases with each further step as he gets closer to the toy.
First he looks at the toy, then he opens up the packaging (if there is any), and finally he plays with it. Happiness exists at all three stages but the most happiness occurs when there is direct contact. But this is material happiness, spiritual happiness works in a different method.
While Krsna is the goal of devotees, why do we have some devotees beg Krsna to let them stay in the material world to serve Him more and impart this transcendental knowledge to others. It sort of doesn't make sense right.
Mathematically:
You + Krsna + Goloka Vrindavana = Never Ending Party!!! (with no birth, death, old age, and disease).
so why would someone want to substitute Goloka Vrindavana with this material creation?
You + Krsna + Material World = Never Ending Party!! (with birth, death, old age, and disease)
Both equations are essentially the same with the exception of the substitution and the presence of suffering. For one, you are still with Krsna, so one really doesn't feel the suffering. But if a person just wanted to be with Krsna, choosing Goloka Vrindavana is the better and more rational option, you get to be with Krsna and not go through birth --> death. But just by adding in that little phrase "sharing transcendental knowledge" it vastly changes the material world's equation!
What do i mean: Have you ever thought about why Radha and Krsna were never together (in the physical sense) while Krsna performed his "Vishnu" leelas in Dwapar Yuga? Transcendental love, or Prema, emerges at its peak when you are not with your beloved Krsna and vice versa.
To use a material example as a starting point: when a lover is with his/her beloved, they are very happy. But when they are not together, the thoughts of the other pushes them to a further distance than when they were together. And this is a material example, spiritually speaking ecstasy develops to an unending level. So while Radha and Krsna were never "together" for the most part of Krsna's leelas in the material world, they kept thinking about the other constantly and were in that spiritual ecstasy. The very evidence of that is our beloved deities of Lord Jagannatha, who according to the pastime transformed into that state by hearing the pastimes of Krsna in Vrindavana from Mother Rohini.
Thus, if a devotee feels that staying in the material world to help preach and share Krsna's knowledge is better, it really puts things into perspective.
In my opinion, Krsna is not the source of true happiness in the technical sense. I mean, yes he is the ultimate source of pleasure and happiness, but just because he is adi-purusham. To term it better, I see it like a crossroad, every path connects to Krsna, but it's the path beyond Krsna that derives true pleasure. The various puranas and scriptures give many examples of the mercy of the devotees. Lord Nityananda is a supreme example, who showered his mercy on the two great Rakshasas of Kali Yuga: Jagai and Madhai and made them great devotees of Lord Krsna. Prahlada Maharaja never gave up on preaching to his school friends or his father about the glories of Krsna. Indeed, Krsna himself is more pleased when a person serves his servants than Him, this is why he became Arjuna's charioteer and that is why he personally washed the feets of the Brahmins and Maharaja Yuddisthira's Rajasuya Yagna. That is what gives Krsna happiness. So if Krsna, the source of happiness, gets happy from serving his devotees, the actual source of happiness cannot be Krsna, again in that technical sense. Krsna himself descended in the mood of Srimati Radharani to find out what's so special about Him that drives so many devotees to ecstasy in love for Him! He appeared as a devotee and followed all the practices of an ideal devotee and that included so many pastimes of Lord Chaitanya bowing down to other devotees!
It's a supreme paradox to simply put it, which is so eternally and exquisitely beautiful! Krsna being the source of happiness may not be the true source of happiness! It reminds me of the relationship between Krsna and Srimati Radharani or Krsna and Shiva. Both regard the other as their "master" and they all derive such great satisfaction and bliss from serving the other (spiritual satisfaction is unending, unlike the limited material satisfaction). As Siddharta Prabhu pointed out, yes Krsna is eternally happy and has no need for additional happiness since he is full and complete, yet He always runs in great eagerness to serve his devotees. Which adds to this divine paradox about Krsna!!!
To clear up any confusions people may have, I do recognize Krsna is Sat-Chit-Ananda and essentially since he is adi-purusham, and the cause of all causes and the origin he is the source of happiness, but I see it more as the concept of happiness, not actual happiness. Hmm... I feel that was worded incorrectly too. What I'm trying to say is that a person follows the example of a leader, a father, a guru. Lord Balarama as our Guru is always getting great pleasure from serving the devotees and Krsna. RadhaRani our supreme mother is always serving Krsna, but she doesn't miss a chance when she can serve a devotee. For this I bring up the example of Srimati Radharani cooking sweet rice (?) and personally delivering it to Rupa and Sanatana Goswami (I read about this pastime when i was much younger, so I don't know the full story, but I do remember that Rupa and Sanatana were both begging for forgiveness for troubling Srimati Radharani after they realized what happened). Lord Krsna himself, even though God, is always engaged in serving his devotees. And Srila Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, he was simply serving his master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati who was following his spiritual master all the way up to Krsna who as I mentioned is always engaged in serving his devotees... This brings up an important point: why do we continue to do that which we love to do... and the answer is because it gives us happiness. That's why we are engaged in talking about Krsna. As Krsna mentions in 10.9 of the Gita: "The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me." We get happiness from talking about Krsna (what we are doing right now), singing about Krsna (those 24/7 kirtanas!!), reading about Krsna and his pastimes, etc.
So putting that all together it only makes sense to me that Krsna is not the source of happiness, but it's serving the devotees of Krsna that gives the most pleasure because Krsna himself is more pleased by this which in turn further increases your happiness :) Of course as a devotee you want to serve Krsna too, so please don't get me wrong there too. One gets pleasure from serving Krsna and his devotees. Lol maybe I'm analyzing this too literally ;)
Like I said, I view this more as a spiritual paradox. Thus, if I am incorrect or offensive in any sense, please consider me your servant and forgive and correct me.
Your Servant,
REAL HAPPINESS.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Q. WHY ARE PEOPLE RUNNING AFTER MATERIAL SENSE PLEASURE ?
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
HAPPINESS AND DISTRESS.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Q. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTENTMENT ?
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
THE OCEAN OF TRANSCENDENTAL HAPPINESS
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
FALSE HAPPINESS.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
MATERIAL HAPPINESS.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Dear Mataji Maral,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am sure that you know nice answers to these questions from various spiritual masters, books and devotees. So I am sure I will not say anything new. But please let me still write this reply for the sake of exchange and for my own purification.
The source of happiness is relationships. Even materialists are not happy even with great wealth if they have nobody to share it with. As devotees, we know that the source and center of all relationships is Lord Krishna. When we start developing proper relationship with Lord Krishna, we can develop it with others also. Then we can have real happiness.
The nature of happiness is that the more we give happiness to others the more we receive it. It is always expanding. But if we try to enjoy for ourselves, happiness diminishes.
If we have proper relationships with people around us in connection with the service of Lord Krishna, then such relationships will be the source of happiness.
Environment is not the most important thing for happiness, but yes, it can play siginificant role for creating proper mood and situation for nice relationships. Pure devotee can remember Lord Krishna everywhere and be fully happy in His service, but nice environment, such as temple, holy place, association with devotees, will help and inspire even pure devotees. And of course, for less advanced devotees it is very essential that the environment where they try to practice Krishna consciousness is proper and conducive.
The price of happiness is the willingness to give up the sense of independence from Lord Krishna. To give up illusion and fear that maybe He will not take such good care of us. To develop proper knowledge and service mood and try to surrender to Lord Krishna more and more every moment.
It is everybody's right to have happiness. Each living entity is the beloved child of the Supreme Lord and they are all meant to be supremely happy in His association. And by following His rules, even while we are not yet completely pure devotees, we can be quite happy while still conditioned souls. Not ideally, since this is material world, but still by following the Lord's rules of order devotees are even materially more happy than materialists.
Happiness comes from realizing our real position and acting according to that. When we make Lord Krishna happy, we will be happy, since we are His parts and parcels. Even to get materially nice situation for sense enjoyment, one has to follow the rules set by the Supreme Lord. But that will be indirect interaction with he Lord, some happiness will be there, but not so much.
The soul feels a little happiness from material sense enjoyment, but it is like a drop of water in the desert. Not knowing spiritual happiness, people are going mad over getting more and more material things, but even those who get the whole universe (like Hiranyakashipu) are not satisfied. When we are fortunate to meet devotees and begin spiritual life, we become attracted by feeling and recognizing some spiritual happiness. But to fully feel and taste it we have to become purified. Sometimes, trying to practice spiritual life our material senses and mind will protest and rebel and want to stick to bad habits. But it is gradually overcome by good association and mercy of devotees.
People are searching for happiness all over material world, on all planets, in all forms of life. They are getting little drops of different sensual experiences here and there. But those who have come to the stage of questioning whether one can be happy in the material world, are put in contact with devotees by the mercy of the Lord.
Those who are determined will find the happiness they desire. Even if they are very determined to get some sense enjoyment, the Lord will give them intelligence how to find it. But those who are tired of searching for material happiness, meet devotees and take seriously spiritual life. If they keep that determination, they will surely find full spiritual happiness in their relationship with Lord Krishna. We have our free will every moment. So if we want to always get the happiness of the association of devotees and Lord Krishna, every moment we have to renew that desire.
Satisfaction could be said to be the material mode of goodness. Feeling that comes from properly executing one's duties. A peaceful state of mind without excessive desires, hankerings or lamentation about the past. By staying satisfied in one's material duties and executing spiritual duties with determination, we will enter the state of spiritual happiness. So it could be said that happiness grows out of satisfaction, because if we are not even satisfied and peaceful, how can we be happy?
Your humble servant,
Madhavi-lata d.d.
but what makes Krishna happy?
What makes Devotees happy?
What makes non Devotees happy?
Your servant,
thank You dear Mataji! You are so intelligent and what You speak is experienced by Yourself in Your life. Also so accurate! Thank You so much for Your words!
Yes, it is true association plays big role. Just usually on week days I am far from my close friends and that causes me pain. I miss them. But when we are together we do devotional service together and it is very pleasing. Source of happiness.
It says that one should associate with equals for 80% of his time.
10% with juniors and 10% with seniors.
if not so then problems will be there for sure.
Your servant,
thank You Mihir Prabhuji for this story!
And HH Radhanath Swami once said something and it became a nice joke :D
-in Vedic culture people greet each other with the word 'Namaste" - my obeisances!
But in western world as "Hello" "Oh Hell"
----
when Maharaj told this everyone laughed later Maharaj also did so. :D
Amazing, even tiny words but they play so much role in our lives....
unknowingly we describe our life "oh hell"
...
yesterday was Sunday feast lecture of HG Gour Gopal Prabhu at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir.
And that lecture was right for me.
----One person told to Lord Budda 'i want happiness!' Lord Budda said remove 'i' & 'want' and happiness will remain.-------
so in this way this world is duhkalayam ashashvatam - miserable - birth, disease, old age, death. And suffering from body, mind and by natural calamities...so to try to be happy is only to try to taste that drop of honey leaking which is dropping down just closer to us while we are hanged up in the high mountain from where we can fall within any time.
Husband, kids, wife, home, money, friends, food, glory, beauty, ....may give us moment happiness but real satisfaction we get when we get in touch with the Holy Name.
So satisfaction means to be in our natural position as a soul - servant of God.
I am not a girl, nor body...i am not a student, nor daughter...i am a spirit soul and my real friend and well wisher is my Father - God - Krishna.
So happiness comes when we chant the Holy Names by trying to hear those Names. When we hear them they are sweet in nature.
In order to hear them we have to take our attention from our designations and bring to the Holy Name. And when one chants attentively he becomes happy and that happiness inspires one to share this happiness with others. He says: oh this is sweet, it should be distributed to everyone!
Why so much kindness?
Because when one becomes in touch with the Holy Name - Sri Nama Prabhu one gains similar qualities with Him. So Nama Prabhu - Lord Chaitanya is the embodiment of Mercy. So one will have desire to preach, serve...help others to chant to take the Holy Names...
But this all we have to be in the association of sincere Devotees. So when we are in the association it is very easy to stand before the strong wind - mind.
...
Never ever tasted a taste something better than that Holy Name. When it is not there life seems it is finished. And that taste is just a slight shade of the real Name in our stage. What to speak of real pure Name????
Your servant,
my humble obeisances Siddhartha Prabhuji, thank You for Your words!
maybe if i had so much money i would help Devotees to do Kirtan Mela for whole year and every year. Chanting, dancing, feasting...
No need to work hard for maintenance...but of course it is only in words :D :D if one is really having money opinion is not so mostly.
Money changes one's heart.
But we get what we deserve and we are put to some condition in our life by the will of Krishna because He knows what is good for us for this moment, doesn't He?!
Your servant,