JOY, BLISS, CONTENTMENT AND ANANDA

Taxonomically they are different species within the same genus albeit  negligible difference among them renders them significantly different just as a mere 2/3% difference in DNA structure defines human race from animals. Let us exert ourselves to understand the negligible difference that leaves them so starkly different that enlightened ones eschew joy and pursue bliss for the sense of contentment and the ultimate, Ananda. Here we go. 

Joy, also known as ‘happiness’ in common parlance, is broadly speaking a generalised state of exaltation, well-being blended with a sense of achievement or acquisition of any variety. Even heightened consumerism too may be a source of joy for many. Acquisition and possession of luxury items does bring joy but that is always followed by sorrow too. It’s invariably momentary being a fluctuating response to experiences or even a little longer than momentary albeit never long-lasting as human mind turns blasé thereafter sooner than later. Joy is profoundly vulnerable to multitude of factors and eventualities that may trigger its evanescence into thin air. In words of William Blake – 

Joys and woes are woven fine, A clothing for the soul divine,

Under every grief and pine, Runs a joy with silken twine.

It is right, it should be so, Man was made for joys and woes,

And when this we rightly know, safely through the world we go. 

Joys and woes are essentially proceeds of ones mind-set. Joys of one may be woes of another one and vice versa too. Body of a person may be in throes of painful woes albeit mind in the midst of joys within the same human personality !! After a prolonged spell of alternate joys and woes, one is inspired to covet and visualise permanency then eternality of joys. This is the stage of ones internal evolution when she/he begins probing into causes of evanescence of joys and woes then how to surmount them. When the quest finally boils down to the conviction that it is sheer ignorance that is the root-cause of evanescence of joys and woes, the evolutionary exercise turns into quest for right knowledge to permanently dissolve ignorance. Tranquility of mind and cessation of regressive emotions is the first port of call in the cosmic journey to attain eternality of joys and dissolution of woes with the ultimate abode being Kaivalya not really so easy to attain. Between these two ports of call, number of intermediate ports vary from seeker to seeker as well as experiences too depending on ones past Karma-s and nature of pursuits. Regressive emotions are foes that may appear in the form of unredeemed desires, fear, anxiety, jealousy, anger etc.

Another major cause of absence of joy is being driven into believing what and how others evaluate us. If one thoroughly knows onself, possibility of falling into such a trap is almost nil. We must never compare ourselves with anyone else as we all are unique in our own ways and nurture it appropriately to attain our respective vertical excellence individually.  

Contentment is a far deeper sense of inner peace, fulfillment and tranquility with a higher degree of stability. It is a state of being satisfied and acceptance with ones destiny, circumstances as well as indifferent to validations and public perceptions. Joy may or may not lead to ones contentment as both are mutually inclusive and exclusive both. However contentment is certainly associated with some degree of joy with or without any physical gain. 

Bliss is not only deep and intense joy but also its pinnacle. In this state of inner being, one may appear remarkably self-composed, less responsive and reactive with a span much longer than joy or happiness. As in the case of joy, bliss too, may or may not be the cause of contentment. 

In addition to joy, bliss and contentment, there is another state of inner being termed as Ananda. According to Vedanta Darsana, it transcends all those three states of ones mind and English lexicon does not have precise counterpart of this term. State of Ananda can be described by definition of the term Ananda alone. It is a Samskrita word signifying ultimate state of self-fulfillment bereft of aspirations, goals, desire to act and acquire etc. It is attained only after entire spectrum of Karma-s are nullified through redemption leading to the state of emancipation from shackles of life and the world, also known as Moksa. Such an exalted one is also unfettered from clutches of the cycle of birth and death being eternal in nature. Ananda is also an aspect of Advaita Brhama i.e. absolute unification with Param Brhama as mentioned in Brhama Sutra Darsana (1.1.12) authored by Adi Samkaracarya – II आनन्दमयोऽभ्यासात् II II

Dvaita Vedanta propounds Ananda being proceed of noble deeds and auspicious pursuits coupled with restrained, introverted mind.

Visistadvaita Vedanta was enunciated by Ramanujacarya wherein Ananda is a divine blessing alone that one may attain through ardent Bhakti after complete obliteration of egoism. While traversing through the world in ones cosmic journey, one must aim to attain Ananda transcending joy, bliss and contentment.