Elusive Nature of Happiness

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Sir’s quote today speaks of the elusive nature of happiness. He nudges us to look deeper into what happiness truly is and, in doing so, helps us see the futility of chasing it when it is sought in external things.

It follows that happiness must be internal. Turning inward, therefore, becomes the very essence of spiritual life. There are many paths to this inward journey, and the Guru’s grace and guidance become vitally important. The disillusionment we experience while seeking happiness outside, and the conscious choice we then make to turn inward, may well be the most important change we can bring about in our lives. In the quotes from the last three days, Sir speaks precisely of this inner shift. It is a life-changing choice, one that takes us closer to the very purpose of our lives.

Yet, the moment we turn inward, happiness does not reveal itself immediately. There are years, perhaps even lifetimes, of accumulated conditioning, or muck as Sir calls it, that must be cleared, and much ‘unlearning’ to be done, before we can absorb the deeper knowledge that leads us to the source of happiness. The distractions of external pleasures will continue to draw our senses again and again, but with the resolve of a sincere seeker, they can be resisted. Here, the grace of the Guru cannot be emphasised enough.

It may help to keep our ultimate goal in mind at all times. It is like a mother with her infant child: she may be anywhere in the house, yet her attention is constantly on the child, even when it is not in sight. Surrender, too, can become a powerful support—where we do not take ownership of our efforts, but trust that something is being done through us. It is as though the Supreme Brahman reaches out to us when we surrender to it. In fact, even the decisive moment when we turn inward is often guided by the Supreme Being itself, through phases of disillusionment, reminding us that union with it is our sole purpose.

It is a long inward journey. Along the way, we may occasionally experience a glimpse of the pure, unalloyed happiness we have always been seeking, enough to keep us steadfast on the path. Sir’s grace, his words, and his guidance through these daily quotes are what keep us aligned, and for this, we remain deeply and eternally grateful.


As a quiet musical accompaniment to Sir’s reflections, one may turn to the song Satyam Shivam Sundaram. Its words speak of Truth, the Auspicious, and the Beautiful—not as abstract ideals, but as something to be approached with reverence and humility.

The refrain “Radha Mohan Sharanam” carries a simple yet profound idea: surrender. It is not a dramatic declaration, but a gentle placing of oneself at the feet of something higher. This sense of surrender echoes the inward movement Sir points toward—where effort alone is not enough, and grace becomes central to the journey.

Set in Raga Darbari Kanada, the movement of the melody is not outward or expansive. It is restrained and inward-looking, almost circling a center rather than moving away from it. The raga does not rush toward resolution; it hovers, pauses, and repeatedly returns, creating a quiet gravity and inward pull. There is a dignity to it, a refusal to indulge in ornamentation for its own sake.

Within this musical setting, the recurring refrain “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” assumes a special role. Sung repeatedly by the lead voice and the chorus, it acts as a point of return, drawing the song back to its center each time it appears. Rather than driving the music forward, the refrain gathers it inward, allowing meaning to deepen through repetition. The gravity of Raga Darbari Kanada lends these words a depth and feeling that makes their return felt rather than merely heard.

The song does not overwhelm with emotion, nor does it seek instant gratification. Its depth reveals itself only when one listens without expectation—much like the inward journey itself. What emerges then is not excitement, but a quiet steadiness, a sense of something profound being approached without being seized.

Seen this way, the music becomes more than a backdrop. It acts as a subtle companion to the inward discipline Sir speaks of—where restraint, return, and stillness prepare the ground for something deeper to be revealed.

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