HH Prahladananda Swami – How to become eternally happy , ISKCON Ljubljana

HH�Prahladananda Swami %u2013 How to become eternally happy , ISKCON Ljubljana### How to Become Eternally Happy *By His Holiness Prahladananda Swami, ISKCON Ljubljana* In the Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.7), we find timeless guidance on achieving true, eternal happiness. This text, along with the teachings of the spiritual masters, offers a roadmap for navigating life’s material challenges and seeking transcendental fulfillment. Many of us strive for happiness, but our methods—rooted in temporary, material goals—often fail us. To reach genuine happiness, we must first understand our spiritual nature and our eternal relationship with Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. #### Realizing Our True Happiness The Bhagavatam explains that even the great sage Vyasa, despite his prolific work in compiling Vedic knowledge, felt dissatisfaction. Although he wrote the Mahabharata and many other scriptures, he still lacked the realization of transcendental bliss. This dissatisfaction led him to a crucial insight: true happiness arises from directly glorifying and serving the Supreme Lord, Krishna. In his humility, Vyasa recognized that while his works contained knowledge and philosophy, they lacked the explicit glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Without this glorification, even the highest philosophical knowledge remains incomplete. Vyasa’s journey reveals a powerful truth: understanding Krishna’s glories and engaging in His service is the essence of spiritual fulfillment. #### The Three Essential Needs of Life Human life fundamentally revolves around three essential needs: 1. **Knowledge** – Understanding our true nature as eternal souls. 2. **Service** – Engaging in loving service to Krishna. 3. **Eternal Happiness** – Experiencing lasting joy that transcends material conditions. With these three elements, we don’t need anything else. They fulfill our true self and provide a foundation for genuine well-being. When we lack these, any material accomplishments, wealth, or fame ultimately feel empty and unfulfilling. Transcendental knowledge—especially as embodied in texts like the Bhagavatam—guides us toward this eternal happiness by teaching us our original, spiritual purpose. #### The Temporary Nature of Material Pleasures Even Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita that from the highest to the lowest planet in this material world, all are places of suffering due to the cycle of birth, death, old age, and disease. All of us are temporarily engaged in this material world, experiencing various forms of joy and sorrow. However, true liberation and happiness arise only when we transcend this cycle by reawakening our relationship with Krishna. The Bhagavatam teaches that real satisfaction comes from faith in a realm where eternal happiness is possible—a place beyond material concerns. This is the spiritual realm, a state of consciousness where we realize our eternal identity beyond the body. The more we realize this, the less we are troubled by material anxieties. #### How to Transcend Material Misery It’s not enough to simply know that we are eternal; we must actively cultivate an awareness of Krishna through devotional service. By engaging in devotional activities like chanting, worship, and reading scripture, we begin to focus on Krishna rather than our temporary bodily concerns. This focus brings clarity and peace to the mind, freeing us from material miseries. One may ask, “Why does Krishna-consciousness bring real happiness, while material pursuits do not?” The answer lies in Krishna’s nature. As the source of all joy and pleasure, Krishna emanates bliss and love. Being close to Krishna means being close to that joy, which flows from Him to all who take shelter in Him. #### Avoiding the “Chewing the Chewed” Syndrome Much of the modern pursuit of happiness involves repeating the same material activities in search of satisfaction—“chewing the chewed.” Politicians, celebrities, and leaders promise solutions, prosperity, and peace. People put their hopes in them, yet these promises rarely deliver. Over time, we realize that such pursuits only provide fleeting pleasure, leaving us in the same place, longing for fulfillment. However, glorifying Krishna and engaging in His service has a different effect. Unlike material activities, which eventually lose their charm, Krishna-conscious activities deepen in joy and meaning as we develop spiritually. Through this path, we experience Krishna’s qualities directly, understanding Him as the source of all bliss, love, and beauty. #### The Transformative Power of Devotional Hearing The Srimad Bhagavatam itself is a guide to shifting our focus from the material to the spiritual. When we hear the names, pastimes, and qualities of Krishna, our consciousness is purified. Unlike material sounds, the name of Krishna is non-different from Krishna Himself. By focusing our minds on His names and pastimes, we can experience His presence and joy directly. The more we appreciate Krishna’s qualities, the more we become like His greatest devotees, such as Srimati Radharani and the gopis. They exemplify pure love and devotion to Krishna, finding all fulfillment in serving Him. Their blissful devotion inspires us to deepen our own service, overcoming pride and false ego, which obscure our spiritual awareness. #### Embracing Our Spiritual Identity Real happiness doesn’t come from material achievements, which are temporary and relative. Instead, it comes from understanding our eternal relationship with Krishna and embracing our role as His servant. Whether in a high or low position, our ultimate purpose is the same—to serve Krishna. We find examples of this in Hanuman, who devoted himself to Lord Rama, and in Jatayu, who gave his life in service. Both reached transcendental happiness through service, transcending the limitations of their material forms. The practice of Krishna-consciousness reminds us that our material circumstances are inconsequential. By dedicating our actions to Krishna, focusing our minds, and glorifying Him, we realize our spiritual nature and experience the lasting happiness we seek. #### Conclusion: Cultivating Concentration on Krishna The key to spiritual happiness is attention. Without paying attention, we cannot experience Krishna’s presence. Just as we may miss appreciating a beautiful painting if we aren’t focused, we may miss Krishna’s presence if we are distracted by mundane concerns. To experience Krishna fully, we must dedicate our hearts and minds to Him. As we do so, we uncover an inexhaustible wellspring of joy that remains with us, regardless of material ups and downs. In summary, the Bhagavatam and the teachings of great devotees remind us that eternal happiness lies in our relationship with Krishna. By engaging in His service, chanting His name, and appreciating His glories, we become freed from material miseries and experience the transcendental joy of our true nature. Let us focus on Krishna, seeking the eternal happiness that comes only from devotional service. By doing so, we fulfill the purpose of life, finding peace and joy in the presence of the Supreme Lord.