Learn what real happiness is and how we can achieve it from the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna.

Everyone looks for happiness. Human beings have been involved in the pursuit of happiness since time immemorial. Especially in the modern age, the desire and efforts for education, economic growth, and technological improvements are unprecedented in living memory. Yet, we still find more wars, mental health problems, climate change and many other issues plaguing us more than ever before. Why is this so?

Krishna’s Eye-opening Wisdom

One common assumption made in today’s world is that maximising sensual pleasures will result in maximum happiness. With this in mind, we try to scour the earth and possibly other planets for their resources for our enjoyment. In His timeless Bhagavad-gita (5.22), Krishna reveals that seeking sense pleasures results in misery because they are temporary. Yet, the senses continue to drag us towards their respective sense objects without respite.   

There is another way, another kind of happiness called spiritual happiness, which never deteriorates.

yo ’ntaḥ-sukho ’ntar-ārāmas
tathāntar-jyotir eva yaḥ
sa yogī brahma-nirvāṇaṁ
brahma-bhūto ’dhigacchati

One whose happiness is within, who is active and rejoices within, and whose aim is inward is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme, and ultimately he attains the Supreme.

(Bhagavad-gita 5.24)

Spirit: A Substance Beyond Matter

One may think, “What if sense pleasures are temporary? Let me enjoy them while I can.” Krishna informs us that we are all eternal spirit souls, His parts and parcels (Bhagavad-gita 15.7). We can experience genuine happiness only by reconnecting to Krishna, the Supreme Spirit. Matter and spirit are like oil and water. They cannot mix. Matter is unconscious and has a beginning and an end. Spirit is conscious and eternal. We are like a fish out of water. Unfortunately, schools and colleges only teach us about matter without any education regarding spirit. Hence, we need to understand and try to achieve spiritual happiness.  

The Hierarchy of the Self

Krishna speaks of a hierarchy of the self (Bhagavad-gita 3.42, 7.4): 

1. The gross senses which are superior to dull matter
2. The mind
3. The intelligence
4. The false ego 

(2 – 4 are subtle senses but still are material)

5. The spirit soul, the authentic self. 

We currently are only concerned with the first four –

1. We give good food, music, perfumes, soft clothes, and visual stimulation to the senses.
2. We try to establish good relationships with family and friends for the satisfaction of the mind.
3. We try to study, train and sharpen our intellect in various fields.
4. We finally try to achieve distinction, name, fame, and power in society to satisfy the false ego.

However, we sooner or later reach a saturation point. Ignoring our soul and trying to satisfy our gross and subtle body causes dissatisfaction. This scenario is like keeping your clothes neat and clean without eating food for the body. We will starve and become weak. Another simple example is that it is like only cleaning the bird cage without feeding the bird inside. The bird will die. 

Krishna consciousness is about giving due attention to each aspect of our self for a balanced and happy life. The spirit soul is like a company’s Chairman; the ego, intelligence, mind, and bodily senses are the different subordinates in the company’s hierarchy. Suppose the Chairman is competent, enthusiastic and alert. In that case, his qualities will rub off on his colleagues, and they will carry out his directions for their respective functions. The company will grow in leaps and bounds in this symbiotic environment. 

Similarly, by feeding the soul and keeping it healthy daily through spiritual practices, we benefit spiritually and also benefit the layers beneath the soul. Conversely, keeping the body, mind, intellect and ego fit without spiritual nourishment is like having good employees but with no director to give direction. The company will face disastrous consequences and will be closed down. 

The Method of Spiritual Realisation for the Modern Age

Although many methods exist, like fire sacrifices, severe austerity, and meditation, the authorised scriptures and spiritual masters have all prescribed a straightforward method for all in this modern age: chanting the holy names of Krishna or God. 

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.
(Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya-lila 6.242)

This process can be adopted by anyone, regardless of caste, creed, nationality, or gender, and it doesn’t cost money. 

The Incarnation of the Holy Name

One question may arise: “How is it that just by chanting and hearing some ordinary words and sounds, we can experience something divine?” Krishna has incarnated as His holy name out of His boundless kindness. Just as a currency note gains value due to being authorised by the government while an ordinary piece of paper is worthless, similarly, Krishna has invested all His energies in the sound vibration of the Hare Krishna mantra. 

In this world, if we say, “Water”, we can’t quench our thirst, but there are no such limitations to the Holy name of the Lord. The Lord and His name are non-different. Chanting and hearing the Hare Krishna mantra attentively means associating with Krishna directly. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to show the benefits of mantra meditation. 

The Holy Name Can Change Even the Most Sinful Person

Narada Muni, the great devotee and sage, is known for teaching great devotees like Prahlada, Dhruva and Yudhisthira. Lesser known is that He has also transformed the lives of very cruel people like Mrigari, a hunter who half-killed animals for his pleasure, 

and Ratnakar, a dacoit who later became Valmiki, the great sage and famous composer of the Ramayana, just by asking them to chant the holy name of God. Following in his footsteps, Srila Prabhupada has also been transforming hearts all over the world through the Hare Krishna movement. 

If people addicted to bad habits can be transformed, the relatively pious and good-hearted people of the world can easily experience a positive change in life by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra daily. 

Add Krishna to Daily Life

One may worry about what will happen to one’s studies, work, family life, and so on if one takes spirituality seriously. People can run their lives on many tracks. People pursue music, art, and gardening, along with their regular studies and work. All we need to do is add a spirituality track. Let us boldly and enthusiastically chant and hear the Hare Krishna mantra at least 108 times daily and take every opportunity to deepen our understanding and relationship with Krishna.

Join us with your friends and family from 25th to 26th August for the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations at:

• ISKCON Bangalore, Rajajinagar
• ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill, Vasanthapura
• KTPO, Whitefield

And receive the blessings of the Lord and the Acharyas.

Click Here to know more about the festival.