Shanti Parva
is the 12th book in Maha Bharata and is the longest of the 18
chapters. The subjects covered include duties of a king and of the subjects,
dharma, justice, wealth, desires and their effects on people and moksha
(emancipation from the cycle of birth and death). In Sections 170-171 there are comments made by
Sampaka (Section 170 and 171) on happiness and sorrow and a treatise on Desire
and Greed by Manki. In this we find a surprising definition of destiny as
nothing but combination of circumstances.
Basic
principles of the Samkhya system are brought out in the form of a discussion
between Brigu and Bharadwaja. Other
discussions on destiny, dharma, justice, wealth and moksha are unusually long
and have been commented on elsewhere. In this essay I wish to bring out one
section on happiness.
Bhrigu says that all of us seek happiness which is
an attribute of the Atman itself. Both virtue and wealth are used to attain
happiness, both physical and mental. Teachings of vedas are aimed at pointing
out ways to attain happiness in this world and in the other world.
Bharadwaja disagrees and asks, “if it is so, why is
it that Rishis do not seek something higher, Brahma the Creator lives a life of
brahmacharya (celibacy) and Lord Shiva destroyed Kama the deity of desire and
love. Obviously, happiness is not of that importance to high-souled individuals”.
He continues that “ there are two kinds of consequences to human actions, one
from good acts leading to happiness and another leading to sorrow from sinful
acts”.
Bhrigu says that ‘people who do not speak truth and
perform unrighteous acts suffer mentally and physically in this life and in the
hereafter. Those who never experience these sufferings know what happiness is.
In heaven there is no hunger or thirst or suffering and there is only
happiness. In hell there is only misery. In this world, there is both misery
and happiness. One should therefore seek happiness by virtuous acts”.
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