Be Intoxicating – In Gita Verse 18.39 And that happiness which is blind to self-realisation, which is delusion from beginning to end and which arises from sleep, laziness and illusion is said to be of the nature of ignorance.
Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.39 describes a form of happiness that is inherently deceptive and rooted in ignorance. This type of happiness, referred to as Tamasic happiness, arises from activities such as sleep, laziness, and carelessness. It captivates the soul both during the time of enjoyment and in its eventual outcomes, but its nature is fundamentally flawed as it leads to great sorrow.
Tamasic happiness is characterised by a lack of self-realisation and is delusional from beginning to end. It is comparable to finding comfort in darkness while ignoring the light of consciousness that burns within. For individuals immersed in Tamasic happiness, the day is filled with pain, and they seek solace only in the night. They find temporary relief in the darkness, failing to utilise the lamp of consciousness that could illuminate their lives.
This form of happiness is not genuine. It is a state where individuals prefer to remain unconscious, similar to the effects of alcohol, where consciousness is lost, and understanding is obscured. Such individuals may even find happiness in self-destructive behaviors, including suicide, as they perceive it as a means to achieve complete rest and escape from life’s responsibilities and challenges.
A significant portion of those who commit suicide do so because they are rejecting the gift of life. They find happiness in denying life itself, which is a supreme offering from God. This form of happiness captivates the soul during the time of enjoyment and in the results, causing unconsciousness and leading to behaviours that one would not engage in during conscious moments.
Individuals who seek Tamasic happiness are not interested in the things that awaken them. They wish to remain in a state of perpetual sleep, believing it to be the ultimate form of happiness. This desire to remain unconscious is a deeper indication that they do not wish to live; they want to experience a form of living death. Sleep, in this context, is a small death, and unconsciousness is self-imposed death.
Such individuals have a fundamental complaint against life itself, feeling that it would be better to remain in a metaphorical grave. Their lives are lived as if they are already dead, and they consider this state to be happiness. They remain unaware of the potential for great happiness, never opening their eyes to the possibilities around them. They miss out on the celebration of life, remaining detached and uninvolved.
Tamasic pleasures captivate the soul during both the time of enjoyment and in the results. They induce a state of unconsciousness, akin to the effects of alcohol, where one loses consciousness and understanding. These pleasures include sleep, overeating, and excessive consumption of alcohol, all of which lead to a deeper descent into ignorance and hell.
Krishna emphasises that ordinary acts can be transformed into sources of genuine happiness. A simple morning walk or the sight of a rose flower can be intoxicating if one is truly conscious and present. The problem lies in the human tendency to seek rewards and gratification, which often leads to dissatisfaction.
Desire is a subtle mechanism that places conditions on happiness. People believe they will be happy if they achieve certain goals, such as acquiring a specific car, house, or partner. However, the fulfilment of these desires only provides temporary relief, as new desires quickly arise. This cycle of desire and fulfilment leads to a perpetual state of ignorance.
A person of understanding realises that happiness does not require conditions. True happiness is unconditional and does not depend on external factors. It is a state of being that is always present, like breathing. A truly happy person does not even recognise their happiness because it is a natural and constant state.
Krishna advises living in the moment joyously, without seeking results or placing conditions on happiness. Life is not a means to an end; it is an experience to be lived fully and consciously in the present. Fulfilment should not be postponed, as it can only be achieved in the now.
Tamasic happiness is a deceptive form of pleasure rooted in ignorance and unconsciousness. True happiness is unconditional and can be found in the present moment by living life joyously and consciously. By understanding the nature of desire and removing conditions of happiness, one can achieve genuine fulfilment and avoid the pitfalls of Tamasic pleasures.
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