Happiness in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे सुखानन्दश्च)

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Sukha and Ananda are 2 most commonly used terms in Ayurveda to indicate Happiness. There are many other terms like nanda, harsha etc. that also indicate the similar emotion as happiness. Happiness being an integral component of good health, all the discussion around happiness in Ayurveda is in the context of Health. In-fact, the definition of the 'Svastha' meaning an Healthy individual has also been given in such words that the word 'Prasanna' or happiness is used as an adjective of 3 integral components of life namely Atman, Indriyas and Manas.

Happiness as the subject of Ayurveda

The definition of Ayurveda itself includes the word sukha which is translated as Happiness. What is happy life and what is unhappy life OR following and doing what, makes one's life happy or unhappy has been preliminarily described in Ayurveda. The definition of Ayurveda is,

हिताहितं सुखं दुःखमायुस्तस्य हिताहितम्|

मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तमायुर्वेदः स उच्यते||४१|| (Char. Samh. 1.41)

विकारो धातुवैषम्यं, साम्यं प्रकृतिरुच्यते|

सुखसञ्ज्ञकमारोग्यं, विकारो दुःखमेव च||४|| (Char. Smah. 9.4)

Happiness and being healthy

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः |

प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते ||४१||(Sush. Samh. 15.41)

Happiness is associated with 3 components of life beyond physical dimension viz. Atman, Indriyas and manas.

Among those thing that can keep one healthy, non-depression or lack of dejection or self-reliance is identified to be the best one!

अनिर्वेदो वार्तलक्षणानां (Char. Samh. 25.40)