Secret of Happiness

कसिणं पि जो इमं लोयं, पडिपुण्णं दलेज्ज इक्कस्स ।

तेणावि से ण संतुस्से, इइ दुप्पूरए इमे आया ॥

-Shree Uttaradhyayan sutra | Adhyayan 8 | Gatha 16

Even if all the wealth and prosperity of this world is given away to one single individual, his greed will still not be satisfied. And hence, gratifying such greedy cravings of the soul is impossible.

Everyone has different desires. While someone wishes to have wealth, some might wish for fame, some might desire a powerful position, whereas some might want health and beauty. The desires might be different but the goal behind all of these wants is to acquire happiness. Be it rich or poor, young or old, whatever they do is only and only to attain their own happiness.

But the real question is, even after all these efforts, is the person still happy? Enlightening us with subtle secret about happiness, Bhagwan Mahavir has explained that even if you shower a person with all the wealth and prosperity of this world, he will still be dissatisfied.

Just as countless logs of wood and grass can never be sufficient to fulfil the hunger of a fire, or how the river can never quench the ocean’s thirst, likewise, a person with intense greed will always be hungry to acquire all the comforts and luxuries of the world. And this very greed does not allow him to experience peace even after acquiring so much. He might be wealthy financially, but remains impoverished when it comes to his heart. And this mental poverty leads to chaos, tensions and sadness. He who works hard to achieve something and feels satisfied with the outcome can experience true happiness.

When your wish isn’t fulfilled, it makes you angry. And if your desire is fulfilled, it increases your greed. So, if you are looking for true and everlasting happiness, you must neutralise your greed and gradually minimise your expectations. This is the summary of Jain Aagams.

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