Commentary
Happiness is the universal aim of life. Only it is of different kinds according to the Gunas which dominate our nature. If Tamas predominates in us, we are satisfied with violence and inertia, blindness and error. If Rajas prevails, wealth and power, pride and glory give us happiness. True happiness of human beings lies not in the possession of outward things but in the fulfillment of the higher mind and spirit, in the development of what is most inward in us. It may mean pain and restraint but it will lead us to joy and freedom. We can pass from the happiness of knowledge and virtue to the eternal calm and joy, Ananda of the Spirit, when we become one with the Highest Self and one with all beings.
Sattvic:
The joy arising out of the inner self-control and consequent self-perfection which looks though painful and arduous in the beginning, is enduring in the long run, in contrast with the fleeting joys of sensual satisfaction. It is the result of inner discipline and contemplation. This brings about tranquility in the intellect and from this tranquility of the intellect emerges Sattvic happiness. This happiness that arises from consistent effort lasts long and yields greater sense of fulfillment which is the result of an individual’s balanced and self-disciplined life of high ideals and divine values of life.
Rajasic:
This pleasure arises only when the sense-organs are directly in contact with the sense- objects. In the beginning it is alluring but it creates a sense of exhaustion and dissipation in the enjoyer in the long run. It is also vitiated by the anxiety about its diminution and ultimate loss. Therefore the temporary happiness provided by the sense-objects is termed Rajasic.
Tamasic:
This type of happiness arises from 1. sleep – not the physiological every day sleep but the non-apprehension of Reality and the incapacity to perceive the goal of life- 2.indolence –
the incapacity of the intellect to think correctly about the problems that it faces to arrive at a correct judgment – and 3. Heedlessness – ignoring the values of higher ideals.
These topics are concluded.
Swami Chinmayananda
Swami Chinmayananda Commentary
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Adi Sankara Commentary
That joy is udahrtam, said to be; tamasam, born of tamas; yat, which; both agre, in the beginning; ca, and; anubandhe, in the sequel, after the end (of enjoyment); is mohanam, delusive; atmanah, to oneself; and nidra-alasya-pramada- uttham, arises from sleep, laziness and inadvertence. Therefore, now is begun a verse in order to conclude this section [The section showing that all things in the whole of creation are under the influence of the three gunas.].
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Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 – Verse 38 – 18.38 visayendriyasamyoga – All Bhagavad Gita (Geeta) Verses in Sanskrit, English, Transliteration, Word Meaning, Translation, Audio, Shankara Bhashya, Adi Sankaracharya Commentary and Links to Videos by Swami Chinmayananda and others – 18-38

