True happiness of jiva.

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Dear Bhagavathas,

This article attempts to investigate

the meaning of "Happiness" with respect to an

conscious entity like the jiva atman from

visistaadvaita school of thought.

 

In the Vedarthasangraha of Bhagavad Ramanuja,there is

a wonderful discussion on the nature of ananda or

Bliss,where it is mentioned that "Ananda or Bliss is a

particular kind of cognition i.e knowledge".

 

Now,in this world, we observe that the common dharma

or instinct of every living being around us(including

us) is to be happy and avoid sorrows.So the goal of

every thinking and emotional being is to abide in

happiness.

 

The definition of Happiness and sorrow varies from

species to species and finally from individual to

individual.On analysis,it can be found that the

difference in the definitions is due to difference in

values, which in turn is due to difference in

knowledge and belief in the same.This is the

reason,why different people pursue different and

sometimes mutually contradictory goals.

 

For example,

the goal of a materialistic person is to make money

and lead a comfortable life on this earth and he

avoids or overcomes all the obstacles that come in his

way with respect to his goal.But,the goal of a

spiritual seeker is such that he has some renunciation

to the goals of a materialistic person and seeks to

abide as a spiritual entity,which he thinks is his

true nature through knowledge and faith.

 

Ramanuja in his work Vedarthasangraha clearly mentions

that"A person's goal in his life depends upon what he

concieves himself to be".

 

If a person thinks that he is the body,then his goals

are with respect to that particular understanding.

On the other hand if he is educated that he is a

conscious entity called jiva atman,which is different

and transcendental to the body he is in, then the set

of values as desirable and undiserable are with

respect to the Knowledge of the self.

 

But,when a question such as "What exactly is true and

real happiness to an individual and also the highest

good?" is asked, Sri.Ramanuja says that

service or kaimkarya to the Supreme Lord known as

Narayana,who is all pervading, omniscient,omnipotent

etc., is the highest joy and good of the

jiva atman.

 

Now it can be asked how is such an answer proved.

Bhagavad Ramanuja outlines the answer so beautifully

as follows:-

 

The Individual person in this world when he forms a

true conception of himself through the "knowledge of

vedantha",knows himself to be an attribute or prakara

or sarira of the Supreme Brahman immanent in him.He

understands that he exists because Brahman exists as

he is one of the attribute of Brahman.In other words

the true nature of jiva is that it is one with Brahman

as its attribute and mode and exists solely for its

substance i.e Brahman.In itself it is solely of the

nature of consciousness and bliss,different and

transcendental from the body it is in i.e different

from and modifications of prakriti.

 

Any knowledge of the jiva atman devoid of its

metaphysical status as an attribute or amsa of the

supreme brahman is incomplete and cannot be said

to be its "True nature".

 

A person with the above understanding is cured from

the

delusion of seeking happiness and immortality in the

ever changing prakriti.

Such a person also understands himself to be Immortal

and free from defects of prakriti (felt in his

samsaric life), as the unique, transcendental, eternal

and unchanging amsa or attribute (which is also known

as jiva atman or jiva bhuta)of the one and only one

Brahman, and not as a person with caste,

colour,secular qualification and other identifications

which are

temporary and do not have an eternal value.

 

Such an understanding and subsequent realization

surely leads one to joy.

 

In short an Individual with the above knowledge

chooses to do loving service to the Supreme brahman

Narayana eternally as it is in accordance with reality

or tattva and gives up his career as a slave to the

gunas of

prakriti.

 

Conclusion :- Service to the supreme brahman Narayana

either in this world or during moksha is the true

activity of the jiva atman as it is in accordance with

its true nature or tattva and all other services or

activities to objects othan sriman Narayana is in

accordance with one's karma.True joy or eternal

happiness consists in exercising the freedom

of the jiva atman(given by the lord)in the service of

the lord and not in surrendering the same to the gunas

of prakriti.

 

This article is written to share my thoughts only from

the ontological point of view.When i say service only

to Lord Narayana,i also include Bhagavathas who are

god like and one with the Lord in thoughts and deed.

 

Sri krishnaarpanamamasthu

B.N.Suresh

 

 

 

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