Always Joyful - A Symptom of Spiritual Life
Joy is the constitutional position of the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, who is ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt (by nature always joyful), we also share in that quality. The difference between material life and spiritual life is simply the presence of anxiety versus the presence of joy. When one actually contacts the spiritual energy, the immediate symptom is relief from all distress and the experience of spontaneous happiness.
The Divine Nature of Joy
According to the Vedānta-sūtra, the Absolute Truth is ānandamaya, or full of bliss. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that God does not undergo tribulation; He is always smiling and playing. Because the living entities are samples of God, they also possess this nature. Our joyfulness is only checked when we identify with the material condition. Once that condition is removed, the natural joy manifests automatically.
- In the Vedanta-sutra it is said, anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12): the Supreme Person is always joyful, abhyasat, naturally.
- God and we, being of the same quality, we are by nature always joyful. So our joyfulness is checked when we are in material condition.
- Transcendental life means always full of joy, joyful. That is our nature.
The Symptom of Brahman Realization
How can one tell if a person has realized the Absolute Truth? Śrīla Prabhupāda gives a practical test: look for joyfulness. He quotes the Bhagavad-gītā (18.54), stating brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā—one who is self-realized is fully joyful. There is no anxiety, no lamentation, and no hankering in this state. If one claims to be spiritual but is full of anxiety, their realization is incomplete.
- Brahma-bhutah prasannatma (BG 18.54). Without being fearless, one cannot be joyful. The bhaktas, the devotees, are fearless and always joyful.
- If you are actually Brahman realized, the symptom will be that you are always joyful, no anxiety.
- One who has understood Brahman, prasannatma, - he's always joyful. He's not disturbed by these material condition.
- When one is on the transcendental platform, brahma-bhutah stage, his symptom is that he's always joyful. Joyful. There is no moroseness.
Freedom from Moroseness
A devotee of Kṛṣṇa has no reason to be morose. Śrīla Prabhupāda states categorically that if a devotee is unhappy, it means māyā (illusion) has attacked them. The spiritual vibration of chanting the holy name is so potent that it cleanses the heart and produces immediate cheerfulness. Therefore, a "morose devotee" is a contradiction in terms; one who is in contact with Kṛṣṇa is always smiling and jollily engaged in service.
- A bhagavad-bhakta shall never be aprasanna, not joyful. Always joyful. If he is actually in contact with Krsna, how he can become morose?
- Always joyful. That is the symptom of spiritual life. You'll see Krsna always smiling, always playing on His flute.
- By discharging devotional service, one will be prasanna-manasah, very jolly mood, always jolly.
- Any person who is always joyful and untouched by any distress is called happy.
Exemplars of Eternal Joy
Śrīla Prabhupāda points to specific personalities who embody this state of being "always joyful." Lord Nityānanda is described as the personification of spiritual bliss, to whom the unhappy souls turn for relief. Similarly, Prahlāda Mahārāja is cited; his very name, derived from pra (excessive) and āhlāda (joy), indicates one who is always joyful in Brahman realization, even amidst difficulties.
- My dear Lord Nityananda, You are always joyful, in spiritual bliss, and You appear always very happy. So I have come to You because I am most unhappy. So if You kindly put Your glance over me, then I may also become happy.
- Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is known as Gaurasundara. I also offer my respectful obeisances unto Nityananda Prabhu, who is always very joyful.
- The word hiranya means "gold," and kasipu refers to soft cushions and bedding on which people enjoy sense gratification. The word prahlada refers to one who is always joyful in understanding Brahman. Prahlada means prasannatma, always joyful.
Conclusion
To be Kṛṣṇa conscious is to be happy. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that this joy is not an artificial imposition but a revealing of the soul's original nature. By serving the master of all joy, Kṛṣṇa, the servant automatically participates in that unlimited happiness. As Srila Yamunācārya prays, the goal is to become a permanent, eternal servant and "always feel joyful to have such a fitting master."
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 Always Joyful. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.