बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् | स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते || 21 || |
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“Not allured to the material world, the yogi experiences ever-new joy inherent in the Self. Engaged in divine union with God, he attains permanent happiness.”
Commentary :
Every person in this world wants to avoid suffering and be in a state of happiness that never ends. Fundamentally the goal that everyone seeks is ever-new bliss. We can categorize commonly experienced positive emotions of joy, happiness and pleasure to differentiate from bliss.
Joy, सुख (Sukha) – Joy, rooted in a deep sense of contentment and spiritual connection, transcends external circumstances and emanates from within. It arises from sources such as gratitude, compassion, and inner peace, infusing life with a profound sense of fulfillment and meaning. It is experienced in unselfish acts of kindness, service, compassion and charity. It can also be experienced in specific moments in the company of our loved ones – parents, siblings, spouse, kids, grand-kids and friends. However, joy, like all emotions, is transient in nature, subject to fluctuations and impermanence.
Happiness, संतोष (Santōṣa) – Happiness, characterized by contentment, often arises from external factors such as achievements, relationships, or enjoyable experiences. It is experienced when we follow noble thoughts and actions with discipline, share and exchange positive communication, learn and achieve something, recognize and celebrate with each other. While happiness contributes to a positive outlook and enhances psychological well-being, it too is fleeting, dependent on changing circumstances and moods.
Pleasure भोग (Bhoga) – Pleasure, encompassing sensory experiences that evoke enjoyment and gratification, offers immediate satisfaction but lacks the depth and enduring fulfillment found in joy and happiness. It arises from indulging in activities or stimuli that activate the senses, and can provide temporary relief from daily stresses and challenges. However, like joy and happiness, pleasure is transient and may not contribute to long-term well-being in the same way.
Joy, happiness and pleasure are temporary and evanescent. These moments have a start and end.
Bliss, आनन्द (Ānanda) – Bliss, on the other hand, represents a state of eternal and ever-new joy. It is the profound joy experienced when the soul is united with God, embodying a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment and oneness with the divine. While joy, happiness, and pleasure may provide glimpses of fulfillment in the material world, bliss represents the ultimate state of spiritual realization and inner awakening. It is the culmination of the soul’s journey towards union with God.
If bliss is ever-new and permanent, is the body capable of experiencing such a sensation? Lord Krishna asserts in this verse that such bliss, as the inexhaustible (akshayam) joy (sukham) is possible (सुखमक्षयमश्नुते)! He declares that it can be found within the soul and not in the external world. Those who are not attracted to external sensory pleasures find permanent happiness inherent within the self (बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा).
When the wise devotee reasons that he can never get permanent joy from the senses, he quickly decides to become one with God as early as possible. United with the Creator, the devotee achieves permanent and ever-new bliss.