सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद्बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् | वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वत: || 21 || |
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“In that joyous state of inner perception, one experiences limitless joy, and thus established, never deviates from the Eternal Truth.”
Commentary: This verse describes the nature of ultimate happiness, which is beyond the reach of the senses. The joy being described is not dependent on external factors, but rather comes from within, from the realization of one’s true nature as the eternal self. “Ānanda” or bliss is a key concept in many Upanishads. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad describes Brahman as the ultimate reality and the source of infinite bliss. Similarly, the second chapter in Taittiriya Upanishad, Ānanda Valli, completely describes the bliss of Brahman. The Vedas also describe the pursuit of ultimate happiness through the practice of meditation and self-realization.
When one is established in this state of ultimate happiness, one does not waver from it. This means that even in the face of external challenges and difficulties, one remains steadfast in an inner state of contentment and joy. This state of being represents the true nature of reality. In other words, the realization of the self as the source of ultimate happiness is not just a personal experience, but a fundamental aspect of the nature of existence itself.