Jagadguru Speaks: Cultivate Contentment for Happiness to Blossom

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru may be posted
on the Chaturamnaya list : http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
 
 
It is with the sole intent to ensure man lives in happiness, that our 
sages have formulated several guidelines in proper living. If man 
abides by these norms, he can very well lead a joyful life. 
 
The prime obstacle to a happy life, however, is excessive desire. 
One who harbours endless desires in his mind will distance himself 
from contentment and the consequent happiness. Further, he leads 
a wasted life trying to satiate unbridled desires that stem out of 
envy. Association with a person who is ever discontent will not 
allow others also to experience happiness. 
 
That is why the Sastras instruct man for his own welfare: "Lessen 
your desires and nurture a sense of contentment." However, even 
those persons who are well-informed, free of doubts, blessed with 
scholarship and have a great standing in society, meet their 
downfall as a result of being dissatisfied with what they have. 
 
पण्डिता बहवो राजन्बहुज्ञाः संशयच्छिदः |
सदसस्पतयोऽप्येके असन्तोषात्पतन्त्यधः ||
 
To one who sports an ever-cheerful mood of contentment, life 
would be pleasant on all fronts—just as a person who protects his 
feet with footwear can walk comfortably without being hurt by 
pebbles, thorns and the like. 
 
सदा सन्तुष्टमनसः सर्वाः सुखमया दिशः ।
शर्कराकण्टकादिभ्यो यथोपानत्पदः शिवम्‌ ||
 
Our blessings for all to understand this well, cut down on 
excessive desires and cultivate contentment for a life full of 
happiness.