View source for Desiring Happiness Through the Satisfaction of the Supreme Lord

Every living entity is searching for happiness. This is the struggle for existence. However, as Śrīla Prabhupāda often highlights, conditioned souls, due to ignorance of their true identity, seek this happiness in the temporary material world, where it remains elusive. This article explores the nature of this pursuit, the distinction between illusory and real happiness, and the process by which one can achieve the ultimate goal of life—shifting their desire from self-satisfaction to the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.

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=== Mirage of Material Happiness ===
The desire for material happiness is vividly compared by Śrīla Prabhupāda to a mirage in the desert. The conditioned soul chases after it, hoping to find water, but finds only hot sand. The material world is designed in such a way that what appears to be happiness is actually the precursor to distress. Whether it is the accumulation of wealth or the maintenance of a family, these temporary arrangements inevitably end in frustration.

* [[Vaniquotes:In this material world, every living entity desires some future happiness, which is exactly like a mirage in the desert. Where is water in the desert, or, in other words, where is happiness in this material world?|In this material world, every living entity desires some future happiness, which is exactly like a mirage in the desert. Where is water in the desert, or, in other words, where is happiness in this material world?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There is a nice song in this connection: "Because of a great desire to have all happiness in life, I built this house. But unfortunately the whole scheme has turned to ashes because the house was unexpectedly set on fire." The law of nature is like that|There is a nice song in this connection: "Because of a great desire to have all happiness in life, I built this house. But unfortunately the whole scheme has turned to ashes because the house was unexpectedly set on fire." The law of nature is like that.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The body is just like an instrument by which the living entity moves according to false desires for happiness and thus suffers the pangs of birth, death, old age and disease in different standards of life|The body is just like an instrument by which the living entity moves according to false desires for happiness and thus suffers the pangs of birth, death, old age and disease in different standards of life.]]

=== Path to Real Happiness ===
Real happiness is not a myth; it is the constitutional right of the spirit soul. However, to access it, one must re-establish their forgotten relationship with the Supreme Lord. This requires serious intent and the guidance of a realized soul. Just as a sick patient needs a doctor, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a person desiring real happiness needs a spiritual master to guide them out of the forest of illusion.

* [[Vaniquotes:Some way or other, one must try to reestablish one's forgotten relation with the Lord if one at all desires to gain real happiness in life, and to reclaim his natural unfettered condition|Some way or other, one must try to reestablish one's forgotten relation with the Lord if one at all desires to gain real happiness in life, and to reclaim his natural unfettered condition.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:These temples, they are just like oasis in the desert for the conditioned souls to quench the thirst of their desire for real happiness|These temples, they are just like oasis in the desert for the conditioned souls to quench the thirst of their desire for real happiness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Any person who is seriously desirous of achieving real happiness must seek out a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation|Any person who is seriously desirous of achieving real happiness must seek out a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation.]]

=== Attitude of a Pure Devotee ===
The definition of happiness changes drastically for one situated in knowledge. While materialists (''karmīs'') desire sense gratification and philosophers (''jñānīs'') desire liberation from suffering, a pure devotee desires nothing for himself. His happiness is derived solely from seeing the Lord happy. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies this selfless attitude as the pinnacle of spiritual evolution.

* [[Vaniquotes:Karmis desire material happiness, and jnanis desire liberation, but a devotee does not desire anything; he is simply satisfied by rendering transcendental loving service at the lotus feet of the Lord and glorifying Him everywhere by preaching|Karmis desire material happiness, and jnanis desire liberation, but a devotee does not desire anything; he is simply satisfied by rendering transcendental loving service at the lotus feet of the Lord and glorifying Him everywhere by preaching.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (a pure devotee) desires only the happiness of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and because of his ecstatic love for Krsna, he acts in various ways|He (a pure devotee) desires only the happiness of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and because of his ecstatic love for Krsna, he acts in various ways.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The ultimate goal of all ambitions is to become a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If an intelligent man serves the most dear Lord, who gives Himself to His devotees, how can he desire material happiness, which is available even in hell?|The ultimate goal of all ambitions is to become a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If an intelligent man serves the most dear Lord, who gives Himself to His devotees, how can he desire material happiness, which is available even in hell?]]

=== Automatic Opulence ===
A profound secret of spiritual life, revealed by Śrīla Prabhupāda, is that by not desiring personal happiness, one attains it automatically. When a devotee engages in the service of the Lord without motivation, all material and spiritual necessities are provided. One need not struggle separately for economic development or peace of mind; these follow the devotee just as a shadow follows the substance.

* [[Vaniquotes:How will my economic problem be solved? The answer is that happiness one desires from economic development will come automatically in due course of time. Tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah - SB 1.5.18|How will my economic problem be solved? The answer is that happiness one desires from economic development will come automatically in due course of time. Tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One does not have to endeavor separately for opulence. Opulence automatically comes to the pure devotee, even though he does not desire material happiness|One does not have to endeavor separately for opulence. Opulence automatically comes to the pure devotee, even though he does not desire material happiness.]]

== Conclusion ==
The desire for happiness is the driving force of life, but its direction determines the destination of the soul. When directed toward the temporary body and material world, it leads to the cycle of birth and death. However, when that same desire is purified and directed toward the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that the soul becomes free. A devotee understands that true happiness is not something to be grabbed, but a byproduct of loving service to the Supreme Lord.

== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ==
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Desiring Happiness|Desiring Happiness]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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