Aspiration for absolute happiness: Maharaji Kripalu says that it is a fact that no one does any action without a specific purpose. Darshan Shastra says, “Prayojanmanu…” Even a foolish person cannot perform any action without a purpose.” It seems natural that there would be various purposes behind different actions, but this is not the case. Even though actions can be of innumerable kinds, the purpose behind all of them is only one. This may sound unusual but it is true that some people say that some actions are performed without any purpose. For example, in the Ramayan, it is said, “Khal binu swarath…” “Wicked people unnecessarily cause harm to others.”

Again it says, “Par upkar bachan…” “Saints and God work for the welfare of others without any personal motive.” Thus, it would seem, that the wicked, the Saints, and God all perform actions without any purpose. This seems to defy the above-mentioned theory, but it is not so. All three, in fact, do have a purpose. Thus, it is stated, “Jo kahu ki dekhahin…” “Wicked people get pleasure on perceiving the sufferings of others.” Thus, this is the secret purpose behind their actions.

Similarly, “Par dukh dukh…” Both, Saints and God, feel sad on perceiving the misery of others and joy on seeing them happy.” Therefore, they work for the good of others because it makes Them happy. So we see that causing distress to others makes an evil person happy, and doing actions for the ultimate benefit of others makes God and Saints happy. This proves that the motive behind all actions is to receive happiness.

In short, it could be said that the wicked person, by causing harm to others, receives momentary pleasure, and the Saints and God, who are ever-Blissful, feel happy by giving joy to others. Therefore, it is clear that the primary aim of all the actions is the attainment of happiness. Now, let us think over it deeply. Every living being in the universe engages in each and every activity solely for the purpose of attaining happiness. One might say that there are other goals also, like the attainment of wealth, children, friendship etc., for which activities are performed; but, it is in fact only that unknown ‘bliss’ which is sought to be attained via these other goals, and this is what is related by Ved Vyas in the Bhagwatam, “Sarveshamapi bhutanam…” (Bhagwatam)

Some philosophers have claimed that life, knowledge, liberty, dominion over others and the pursuit of happiness are the goals of human existence, but even here, it is only the attainment of happiness for which the other goals are sought. Thus, it is proved that the actions of each and every living being in the universe, whether he be an ordinary man or a wicked one, are for the attainment of happiness. It is of course a different matter that those who are taking a genuine route, will in fact attain the true Bliss, and those taking a wrong course will reap only illusory happiness which will end up in sorrowfulness.

Now, let us think deeply on this goal of attainment of Bliss. There must be some secret behind this fact that in such a diverse and variegated world everyone, whether he be an ignorant or all-knowing, has the goal of the attainment of Bliss. The secret is, “Anando brahmeti…” (Ved)

According to this Vedic verse, the nature of God (brahm) is Bliss. Further, the Ved says, “Anand evadhastat…” (Ved)

“The Divine Bliss flows above and below, to the north, south, east and west, outside and everywhere.” You may say that this refers to the ever-Blissful God, but here it is referring to the souls. The answer to this lies in the Gita, “Mamaivansho jeevaloke…”

Every soul is a part of God, so every soul naturally seeks God’s Bliss. Factually, no soul can deviate from this goal, even if he tries for millions of years.