Happiness in Bhakti

Narada Bhakti Sutra defines bhakti is that which gives happiness from within. Whatever gives inner happiness is bhakti. Similarly, SB 1.2.6 states that bhakti completely satisfies the self (yayatma suprasidata). Bhagavad Gita states in many slokas that yogi is internally satisfied. When one is happy from within then external environment cannot affect such person and in that state, one can be equanimous (smatvam yogam ucyate). Equanimity and inner happiness go together. Inner happiness comes from realizing self as part (ansh) of Krishna and as different from body, senses and this world. Due to maya, self identifies with body, mind, senses and their extensions like money, wealth, family etc. But when self sees that it does not belongs to this world but is eternally part of Krishna, it becomes happy. Such person is beyond the material world and he can choose to act or choose not to act. He can externally engage in sense gratification. His actions don't matter as his soul or self always connected with Krishna.

Most of us are not at the level of deriving happiness from within. As we don't get inner happiness, we seek happiness outside. So, what should we do? Is seeking happiness outside bad?

Many people who try to follow the process of bhakti come due to depression. Depressed person does not find meaning in life and runs away from simple enjoyments. Depressed people have lesser sex drive and may even want to kill themselves. Such people embrace the idea of giving up everything. They like it and make their depression worse. It is important for such person to make their life happy. They should surely seek inner happiness but also, they should seek pleasures in this world so that they can be happy. Otherwise, they may think they are advancing but they might be making their depression worse. Depressed people are neophyte devotees. True devotee can never be depressed.

Another kind of people are too much attached to sense gratification. Their mind is always agitated. Extreme example may be a person who rapes a women for his own gratification.

Most of us are not such extremes. We should seek balanced path. We should enjoy pleasures of life so that our life does not become dull and unhappy. But we should also act such that we develop mineness or surrender to Krishna, we develop love unto Him and we remember His names.

Everything belong to Krishna. This world is not ours. The self is beyond this world. Our body, mind, sense and sense objects are not ours. They are Krishna's. We should truly accept this fact. Keep telling our mind that this world is not ours and it belongs to Krishna. When we act in pleasures understanding that this body belongs to Krishna then such pleasure don't bind us. Our body needs food. It needs sleep. Similarly, our body needs recreation. So, Krishna has given this body and the owner of our body Krishna has ordered us to provide recreation. So, we are just fulfilling the order of Krishna. Everyone has to decide what are needs of their body as we are all different. Important thing to understand is that we cannot deny needs of body and mind. Mind and body may need sex, fun movies, sattvik pleasures like enjoying nature, sports etc. Do them understanding that this world belong to Krishna and therefore, such activities are also service to Krishna. This is real bhakti.

Note: A person who sees world as part of Krishna cannot hurt anyone as Krishna resides in everyone's heart.