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Ananda (Samskrit: आनन्दः) is a term of great significance in Indian philosophical traditions and in other cultures. Across time and cultures, human beings attached great value to Ananda, and have been trying to find it. In this process, philosophies have been developed, books have been written and teachings have been given. The ideas of happiness are closely linked with the larger framework of reality and human nature which one carries in their mind. Conceptualization of the nature of happiness and well-being primarily depend on the worldview one holds that lead to differing assumptions on the nature of reality and of human nature. It has varied across cultures on a spectrum ranging from hedonic to transcendent viewpoints.<ref name=":4">Salagame, Kiran Kumar, "Happiness and well-being in Indian tradition," ''Psychological Studies'' 51, no. 2-3, (2006): 105-112.</ref>  

Ananda (Samskrit: आनन्दः) is a term of great significance in Indian philosophical traditions and in other cultures. Across time and cultures, human beings attached great value to Ananda, and have been trying to find it. In this process, philosophies have been developed, books have been written and teachings have been given. The ideas of happiness are closely linked with the larger framework of reality and human nature which one carries in their mind. Conceptualization of the nature of happiness and well-being primarily depend on the worldview one holds that lead to differing assumptions on the nature of reality and of human nature. It has varied across cultures on a spectrum ranging from hedonic to transcendent viewpoints.<ref name=":4">Salagame, Kiran Kumar, "Happiness and well-being in Indian tradition," ''Psychological Studies'' 51, no. 2-3, (2006): 105-112.</ref> Happiness is not only an emotion but refers to living a good life, experiencing well-being and enjoying a good quality of life.

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

The '''eudaimonic perspective''' of happiness is defined as the highest good that one seeks and one ought to seek as the end in itself and not as a means to any other end. It results from a life based on virtuousness and contemplation. Psychological well-being (PWB) is the counterpart of SWB in the eudaimonic tradition.<ref name=":0" />

The '''eudaimonic perspective''' of happiness is defined as the highest good that one seeks and one ought to seek as the end in itself and not as a means to any other end. It results from a life based on virtuousness and contemplation. Psychological well-being (PWB) is the counterpart of SWB in the eudaimonic tradition.<ref name=":0" />

In Indian traditions we quite often hear about सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। let all be happy and लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु। lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu॥ let all the beings in all worlds be happy. Here the reference is to सुखम् in the sense of happiness.<ref name=":5">Choudry, A, and Banavathy, V.K. Understanding Happiness: the Concept of sukha as 'Excellent Space'. ''Psychol Stud'' 60, 356–367 (2015). <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-015-0319-5</nowiki></ref>  

In Indian traditions we quite often hear about सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। let all be happy and लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु। lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu॥ let all the beings in all worlds be happy. Here the reference is to सुखम् in the sense of happiness.<ref name=":5">Choudry, A, and Banavathy, V.K. Understanding Happiness: the Concept of sukha as 'Excellent Space'. ''Psychol Stud'' 60, 356–367 (2015). <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-015-0319-5</nowiki></ref> Within Indian society itself we have both material and spiritual worldviews espoused in ancient times leading to different perspectives, hedonic, collective and transcendental.<ref name=":4" />  

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

‘Happy’ as an adjective has three broad meanings: (1) fortunate, lucky; feeling or expressing pleasure, contentment, satisfaction, etc.; (2) (in polite formulas) pleased; (3) (of language, conduct, suggestion) well-suited to the situation. ‘Happiness' is used as a noun to convey the first meaning (Hornby et al. 1948, cited in Lu 2001). While, it is true that the feelings of being fortunate and happy are intimately connected and in some instances synonymous, the term does not cover the various shades of the actual experience itself, nor does it provide any significant insight into the psychological processes that accompany the state of happiness.<ref name=":5" />

‘Happy’ as an adjective has three broad meanings: (1) fortunate, lucky; feeling or expressing pleasure, contentment, satisfaction, etc.; (2) (in polite formulas) pleased; (3) (of language, conduct, suggestion) well-suited to the situation. ‘Happiness' is used as a noun to convey the first meaning (Hornby et al. 1948, cited in Lu 2001). While, it is true that the feelings of being fortunate and happy are intimately connected and in some instances synonymous, the term does not cover the various shades of the actual experience itself, nor does it provide any significant insight into the psychological processes that accompany the state of happiness.<ref name=":5" />

Similarly, in Indian languages also, there are many terms used for happiness, like bhoga, sukha, santoṣa, harṣa, ullāsa, ānanda, trpti, tuṣhti, śubha, mangala, kalyāṇa, śreyas, preyas, śānti, ārogya, swāsthya, sthitaprajñatā.<ref name=":4" /> Of all these, the word sukha is most commonly used to denote happiness as reflected in the invocations like "lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu."<ref name=":5" />

Similarly, in Indian languages also, there are many terms used for happiness, like ''bhoga, sukha, santoṣa, harṣa, ullāsa, ānanda, trpti, tuṣhti, śubha, mangala, kalyāṇa, śreyas, preyas, śānti, ārogya, swāsthya, sthitaprajñatā''.<ref name=":4" /> Of all these, the word sukha is most commonly used to denote happiness as reflected in the invocations like "lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu."<ref name=":5" />

== Sukha Vs Ananda ==

== Sukha Vs Ananda ==

In common language the terms sukha and Ānanda are used synonymously. However, it must be noted that sukha belongs to a set of concepts where dualities exist i.e. dukha (pain, sorrow, suffering etc.) stands in contrast to sukha, whereas Ānanda is beyond sukha as it transcends both sukha and dukha. As such there is no term that stands in anti-thesis to the experience of Ānanda.<ref name=":0" />

In common language the terms sukha and Ānanda are used synonymously. However, it must be noted that sukha belongs to a set of concepts where dualities exist i.e. dukha (pain, sorrow, suffering etc.) stands in contrast to sukha, whereas Ānanda is beyond sukha as it transcends both sukha and dukha. As such there is no term that stands in anti-thesis to the experience of Ānanda.<ref name=":0" />

== Several features of Happiness  ==

== Several features of Happiness  ==

Studies of personality and environmental correlates of happiness indicate that both these factors have a significant impact as happiness indicators.  

Studies of personality and environmental correlates of happiness indicate that both these factors have a significant impact as happiness indicators.  

== Importance of happiness ==

=== Importance of happiness ===

Why does happiness matter?

Why does happiness matter?