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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> Happiness is not only an emotion but refers to living a good life, experiencing well-being and enjoying a good quality of life.  

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. Sukha (Samskrit: सुखम्), in contrast, is discussed in terms of worldly and heavenly pleasures as against Ananda which signifies eternal bliss which accompanies the end of the rebirth cycle (punarjanma rahityam). 

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

In Indian traditions we quite often hear about the chants - 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" />  

In Indian traditions we quite often hear about the chants - 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" />  

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥  Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥  Etymology and Definitions ==

According to Shabdakalpadhruma<ref name=":2">Shabdakalpadhruma (See [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%86 आनन्दः])</ref> आनन्दः (ānandaḥ) means आह्लादः which in general means a state of happiness, joy, delight, pleasure. In Taittriya Upanishad, आनन्दं ब्रह्मणो विद्वान्न बिभेति कदाचन, and in Shatapata Brahmana, (10.3.5.13) आनन्द एवास्य विज्ञानमात्माऽऽनन्दात्मानो हैवं सर्वे देवाःananda refers to supreme bliss of felicity.<ref name=":3">Term [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/apte_query.py?qs=%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83&searchhws=yes&matchtype=exact Ananda] in Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary by V. S. Apte.</ref> It is used in the sense of God, Supreme Spirit (ब्रह्मन्) (said to be ''n.'' also in this sense; cf. विज्ञानमानन्दं ब्रह्म Bṛi. Up.3.9.28.).<ref name=":3" />

According to Shabdakalpadhruma<ref name=":2">Shabdakalpadhruma (See [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%86 आनन्दः])</ref> आनन्दः (ānandaḥ) means आह्लादः which in general means a state of happiness, joy, delight, pleasure. In Taittriya Upanishad, आनन्दं ब्रह्मणो विद्वान्न बिभेति कदाचन, and in Shatapata Brahmana, (10.3.5.13) आनन्द एवास्य विज्ञानमात्माऽऽनन्दात्मानो हैवं सर्वे देवाःananda refers to supreme bliss of felicity.<ref name=":3">Term [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/apte_query.py?qs=%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83&searchhws=yes&matchtype=exact Ananda] in Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary by V. S. Apte.</ref> It is used in the sense of God, Supreme Spirit (ब्रह्मन्) (said to be ''n.'' also in this sense; cf. विज्ञानमानन्दं ब्रह्म Bṛi. Up.3.9.28.).<ref name=":3" />

The synonyms used for आनन्दः (ānandaḥ) are given as आबन्दथुः  (Abandathu), शर्म्म (Sharma), शातं (Shanta), सुखं (Sukha), सुत् (Sut), प्रीतिः (Priti), प्रमोदः (Pramoda), हर्षः (Harsha), प्रमदः (Pramada), आमोदः (Amoda), समदः (Samada) as per Amarakosha.<ref name=":2" />

The synonyms used for आनन्दः (ānandaḥ) are given as आबन्दथुः  (Abandathu), शर्म्म (Sharma), शातं (Shanta), सुखं (Sukha), सुत् (Sut), प्रीतिः (Priti), प्रमोदः (Pramoda), हर्षः (Harsha), प्रमदः (Pramada), आमोदः (Amoda), समदः (Samada) as per Amarakosha.<ref name=":2" />

‘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" /> Happiness is a state of well-being, characterized by feelings of contentment and satisfaction with one's life or current situation.<ref name=":6" />

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" />

==== विषयानन्दः ॥ Vishayananda (Hedonistic happiness) ====

==== विषयानन्दः ॥ Vishayananda (Hedonistic happiness) ====

According to the authors, <ref name=":0" /> Vishaya refers to objects, and Vishayananda can be equated to hedonistic happiness, which is experienced by an individual coming in contact with objects of desire. Usually, it is the pleasure associated with either yearning, possessing, consuming, etc. of material objects. It is the grossest form of happiness. The Gita (5.22) notes that such pleasurable experience based on the sense-object contact is momentary or short lived, and may even leave the person with a sense of wanting and lack and consequently cause pain and suffering once the external stimulus fades.<blockquote>ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते । आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ॥ ५-२२॥ (Bhag. Gita. 5.22) ye hi saṃsparśajā bhogā duḥkhayonaya eva te ādyantavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ</blockquote>Moreover, the intensity of happiness experienced is said to reduce with prolonged exposure to the source such as the Rājasika and tāmasika sukha. It must be noted that the Indic tradition does not negate the role and necessity of material happiness. However, it very clearly brings out the limitations of such happiness and persuades the individual to go beyond immediate gratification and seek a deeper and more lasting happiness.

According to the authors, <ref name=":0" /> Vishaya refers to objects, and Vishayananda can be equated to hedonistic happiness, which is experienced by an individual coming in contact with objects of desire. Usually, it is the pleasure associated with either yearning, possessing, consuming, etc. of material objects. It is the grossest form of happiness. The Gita (5.22) notes that such pleasurable experience based on the sense-object contact is momentary or short lived, and may even leave the person with a sense of wanting and lack and consequently cause pain and suffering once the external stimulus fades.<blockquote>ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते । आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ॥ ५-२२॥ (Bhag. Gita. 5.22) ye hi saṃsparśajā bhogā duḥkhayonaya eva te ādyantavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ</blockquote>Moreover, the intensity of happiness experienced is said to reduce with prolonged exposure to the source such as the Rājasika and tāmasika sukha. It must be noted that the Indic tradition does not negate the role and necessity of material happiness. However, it very clearly brings out the limitations of such happiness and persuades the individual to go beyond immediate gratification and seek a deeper and more lasting happiness.

विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् । परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ १८-३८॥ (Bhag. Gita. 18.38) viṣayendriyasaṃyogādyattadagre’mṛtopamam pariṇāme viṣamiva tatsukhaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam

विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् । परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ १८-३८॥ (Bhag. Gita. 18.38) viṣayendriyasaṃyogādyattadagre’mṛtopamam pariṇāme viṣamiva tatsukhaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam

यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः । निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १८-३९॥ (Bhag. Gita. 18.39) yadagre cānubandhe ca sukhaṃ mohanamātmanaḥm nidrālasyapramādotthaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam</blockquote>In this text sukha is classified into three kinds<ref name=":0" />

यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः । निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १८-३९॥ (Bhag. Gita. 18.39) yadagre cānubandhe ca sukhaṃ mohanamātmanaḥm nidrālasyapramādotthaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam</blockquote>According to this text sukha is classified into three kinds<ref name=":0" />

* '''सात्विकम्॥Sātvika (noble)''': Sātvika sukha consists of such happiness which appears to be effortful (while pursuing it) but eventually tastes like nectar, i.e. very pleasant. Such happiness arises as a result of intelligent and creative efforts with a right knowledge of oneself. (Bhag. Gita. 18.37)

* '''सात्विकम्॥Sātvika (noble)''': Sātvika sukha consists of such happiness which appears to be effortful (while pursuing it) but eventually tastes like nectar, i.e. very pleasant. Such happiness arises as a result of intelligent and creative efforts with a right knowledge of oneself. (Bhag. Gita. 18.37)

* '''राजसिकम्॥Rājasika (dynamic)''': Rājasika sukha is the resultant of the contact of the sense organs and the objects which appears to be pleasurable initially but unpleasant at the end, i.e. after the experience as it leaves a person with a sense of wanting. (Bhag. Gita. 18.38)

* '''राजसिकम्॥Rājasika (dynamic)''': Rājasika sukha is the resultant of the contact of the sense organs and the objects which appears to be pleasurable initially but unpleasant at the end, i.e. after the experience as it leaves a person with a sense of wanting. (Bhag. Gita. 18.38)

* '''तामसिकम्॥Tāmasika (lethargic)''': Tāmasika sukha, is the happiness that is delusionary in nature from beginning to the end that may arise from sleep, laziness, ignorance, illusion etc. (Bhag. Gita. 18.39)

* '''तामसिकम्॥Tāmasika (lethargic)''': Tāmasika sukha, is the happiness that is delusionary in nature from beginning to the end that may arise from sleep, laziness, ignorance, illusion etc. (Bhag. Gita. 18.39)

== Several features of Happiness  ==

== Several features of Happiness  ==

=== Impact of Environment on Happiness ===

=== Impact of Environment on Happiness ===

Like well-being (Svasthya), happiness is also closely linked to environmental changes along with genetic factors.<ref name=":6" /> Research  undertaken in recent years has shown a shift in happiness from being related to pure psychology to environmental psychology, community environment and spatial governance. According to the authors of this study<ref name=":7">Chiu-lin Chen and Heng Zhang, ''[https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/112/1/012012 Do You Live Happily? Exploring the Impact of Physical Environment on Residents’ Sense of Happiness]'', 2018 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 112 012012. DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/112/1/012012</ref>, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is commonly used in the international community as an important indicator to measure social progress and people’s well-being. Capitalists believed that economic growth would bring us happiness, but a small, poor Buddhist country—Bhutan—has dispelled the myth with the concept of Gross National Happiness. Today, the concept of happiness has evolved from the field of psychology to all disciplines. Many researchers are exploring how environmental psychology/behavioral psychology influences residents' sense of happiness. Their results showed that factors like green area, community layout, aesthetics, transportation service and social service significantly influenced residents' sense of happiness.<ref name=":7" />

Like well-being ([[Svasthya (स्वास्थ्यम्)|Svasthya]]), happiness is also closely linked to environmental changes along with genetic factors.<ref name=":6" /> Research  undertaken in recent years has shown a shift in happiness from being related to pure psychology to environmental psychology, community environment and spatial governance. According to the authors of this study<ref name=":7">Chiu-lin Chen and Heng Zhang, ''[https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/112/1/012012 Do You Live Happily? Exploring the Impact of Physical Environment on Residents’ Sense of Happiness]'', 2018 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 112 012012. DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/112/1/012012</ref>, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is commonly used in the international community as an important indicator to measure social progress and people’s well-being. Capitalists believed that economic growth would bring us happiness, but a small, poor Buddhist country—Bhutan—has dispelled the myth with the concept of Gross National Happiness. Today, the concept of happiness has evolved from the field of psychology to all disciplines. Many researchers are exploring how environmental psychology/behavioral psychology influences residents' sense of happiness. Their results showed that factors like green area, community layout, aesthetics, transportation service and social service significantly influenced residents' sense of happiness.<ref name=":7" />

=== Impact of Personality on Happiness ===

=== Impact of Personality on 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.

 

 

 

 

to get rid of misconceptions about happiness. ridding about misconceptions of life, career, notions of people, stereotypes of people helps us develop resilience.

=== Importance of studies about happiness ===

Happiness matters with every individual as he tries to overcome an unhappy state of mind. It is because the survival emotions of a human being are 'unhappy', so happiness is vital for motivating us through various aspects of life. It is a life-long trait, a journey not a destination. Humans are born with a genetically determined 'set-point' for happiness as per research advances in this field. It offers us meaning and purpose of life. It helps discover new passions, generate curiosity, builds strong coping skill and emotional resources. It gives us the ability to tolerate risks and and anxiety, and keeps us healthy mentally and physically.<ref name=":6" />

to create happiness for others and thus create our happy surroundings

* to develop more insight for self, awareness and orientation about others, and to get rid of misconceptions about happiness.

* being happy creates happiness for others and thus we can create our happy surroundings.

== Means of happiness ==

== Means of happiness ==

Appreciation for life as a whole that determines life satisfaction (subjective wellbeing)

Appreciation for life as a whole that determines life satisfaction (subjective wellbeing)

== Components and Indian Philosophies of happiness ==

== Components of happiness ==

 

Most of the research done so far in the field of Psychology has focused on what the reasons are for a person to be happy or the external factors contributing to happiness. Large surveys have come up with the components of happiness factor such as:<ref name=":1">Hemachand, Lata. The Concept of Happiness in the Upanishads and its Relevance to Therapy, ''Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology'', 2021, 48, no. 2, 123-130</ref>

Most of the research done so far in the field of Psychology has focused on what the reasons are for a person to be happy or the external factors contributing to happiness. Large surveys have come up with the components of happiness factor such as:<ref name=":1">Hemachand, Lata. The Concept of Happiness in the Upanishads and its Relevance to Therapy, ''Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology'', 2021, 48, no. 2, 123-130</ref>

== Misconceptions about happiness ==

== Misconceptions about happiness ==

Money increases happiness - happiness does not increase after a salary of 75K $ and begins to plateau after a decent salary

Money increases happiness - happiness does not increase after a salary of 75K $ and begins to plateau after a decent salary