Bhagavad Gita 18.36 · Krishna
Three kinds of happiness
सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ।
अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति॥
sukhaṃ tvidānīṃ trividhaṃ śṛṇu me bharatarṣabhaabhyāsādramate yatra duḥkhāntaṃ ca nigacchati
Now hear from Me, best of the Bharatas, the three kinds of happiness, where through practice one finds joy, and reaches the end of sorrow.
Words
- abhyāsa
What it means
Krishna turns to sukha, happiness. It, too, comes in three kinds. And he hints at the best one. A happiness that grows through abhyasa, practice, and eventually ends sorrow altogether. Not a quick thrill, but a joy that deepens with time.
The story
After all the hard teaching, Krishna speaks of joy. Arjuna is reminded that this whole path is meant to lead to real happiness.
In your life
Remember the joy of playing a piece of music you've practised for months. It's deeper than any quick pleasure. Practise one thing today that brings slow, lasting joy.
The best joy grows with practice.