Page 709 - Bodhayanti Parasparam Vol 6

a refined emotion as compared to the feeling of pleasure arising out of sense-gratification. It is unique to human beings alone. Happiness has several synonyms, such as, condition of supreme well-being and good spirits, supreme felicity, beatitude, bliss, gladness, cheer, ecstasy, euphoria, elation, jubilation, gratification which convey the intensity, depth and longevity of the feeling state.
The great thinker Aristotle said in his Nichomachean Ethics that happiness is the only emotion that humans desire for its own sake and they seek riches, honour, health and progeny not for their own sake but only in order to be happy. Happiness is characteristic of a good life which fulfills human nature. It is not just an idle emotional state but virtuous activity of the soul in accordance with reason. We have to note the strong connection instanced between practice of virtue and happiness.
It is universally agreed among the ancient sages and modern thinkers that happiness is to be sought within one’s own being and not from external objects, persons and situations. Happiness contingent on circumstances and combination of desirable objects and persons is no happiness in the real sense. It will be fleeting and ultimately pave the way for sorrow when the conditions can not be maintained or replicated for ever. Sense enjoyment has its own severe limitations and the disastrous consequences of its blind pursuit have been well discussed in the scriptural tradition. The discerning seeker knows and realizes that real lasting happiness can never be derived through sense enjoyment.
We will examine briefly the basis of happiness (Ref. The Five kosas). It is well recognized that all life in particular and all existence is all organized with several
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