This act earns you spiritual merit and also gives happiness, say the scriptures.
Every human on earth seeks happiness. Many devotees perform pujas to prosper and remain happy. But in Hinduism, happiness is something which can be felt after helping others.
Lal Bihari Jha, a priest in Ghatlodia says, “Maharshi Vyasji in his purana has mentioned about happiness in this shlok:
Ashtadas Puranesu, Vyasasyo Vachanadvayam Paropkaraya Punyayo, Paapasyo Parapidanam
These two lines mean that if you hurt anybody, you end up doing a sin (paap) which makes you unhappy. But, on the other hand, if you help others you end up doing a good deed (punya) which makes you happy.”
Celebrating festivals like Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, among others gives happiness but for a short while. Jha added that in the Bhagwad Gita, it is said that no other work can give you peace of mind as helping others can.
The holy book also advises people to make the optimum use of their hands to help the needy and make them happy. Also, if somebody is upset and disappointed, encourage him and cheer him up, it says.
Jashomatinandan Das, president of ISKCON Ahmedabad says, “Happiness means satisfying the senses which is unlimited. In the Gita, happiness means absence of distress. The Gita says: You may think that you are very happy but this is not happiness. You have to see your distressed condition because you have to take birth, you have to die, you have to suffer from diseases and you have to suffer in old age. It is said in the scriptures, “Spiritual happiness is unlimited. The happiness in the Lord is also identical with the Lord on account of absolute knowledge.”
He added that engaging self in chanting the holy name, sankirtan yagna (congregational chanting, singing and dancing on the holy name), preaching knowledge of the Gita, the message of God, preparing, honouring and offering prasaadam, following the regulations given in the scriptures and undertaking various services at temples like serving devotees of the Lord give happiness.
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