IN SEARCH OF HAPPINESS

Happiness is the birthright and the goal of human life. Since the dawn of civilization, man has been constantly striving for happiness. Just man? Every creature desires and seeks happiness. The animals, birds and fish continue to live in their natural environment.  Their endeavours are directed towards fulfilment of their requirements for food and shelter and as these limited requirements are easy to accomplish, they enjoy a sense of contentment and happiness. However, the story is different in the case of man. He has left his natural habitat and changed his natural food habits and likewise, he has changed many other things, as if he has had no link with nature. Thus, man has isolated himself from the very nature from which he is created. Moreover, he is not content with the fulfilment of his basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. He has multiple desires. His requirements have no end and they go on and on, whereas he has only two hands and the other means at his disposal are limited. Hence man finds himself incapable of satisfying his varied desires. True happiness lies in being in regular communion with the Almighty Lord, the Supreme Power, pervading the whole universe. Further, it lies in our realising that the human soul is a spark of life, universal light and that we must remain in constant contact with it through the medium of prayer. True happiness of a man lies not in increasing but in minimising his desires.

• Deepika Anand A, X – C