18.36 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 18, Verse 36

In Bhagavad Gita verse 18.36, Lord Krishna introduces the concept of three types of happiness (sukha) that conditioned souls experience. Speaking to Arjuna, whom he addresses as "the best of the Bharatas," Krishna invites him to listen carefully to this classification of joy that humans pursue.

The verse establishes that there are three distinct varieties of happiness, each with different qualities and consequences. Krishna indicates that through regular practice or engagement with these types of happiness, people find enjoyment, and through some forms, they may even find release from suffering. This teaching follows Krishna's earlier discussions on knowledge, action, and the three modes of material nature, now turning his focus to how these modes influence our experience of joy.

At its core, this verse acknowledges a fundamental truth about human existence: all beings seek happiness. However, Krishna suggests that not all forms of happiness are equal in their effects or duration. The Sanskrit term "abhyāsāt" (by practice) indicates that we develop habits around the kinds of happiness we pursue, creating patterns that either bind us more tightly to material existence or potentially free us from it.

The three types of happiness Krishna refers to correspond to the three gunas or modes of material nature: sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). Each type offers a different experience of joy with varying consequences for our spiritual development. The subsequent verses (18.37-39) will detail each type, but verse 18.36 sets up this framework and hints at an important insight—that only certain types of happiness lead to "duhkhāntam" (the end of distress).

In this verse, Krishna is essentially guiding Arjuna to become more discerning about the nature of happiness. The superficial pursuit of pleasure often leads to more entanglement and suffering, while higher forms of happiness, though perhaps initially challenging, lead to lasting fulfillment. This understanding connects to the broader theme of the Gita—that our choices and attachments determine our spiritual trajectory.

The lifecycle of our actions and the happiness we derive from them begin with deep-rooted impressions (Vaasanaas) that create thoughts, which sometimes become desires, and consequently transform into actions. When an action is completed and its target achieved, the desire subsides momentarily, creating a brief stillness of mind that results in joy. However, this process differs significantly based on which mode predominates in our consciousness.

This teaching is profoundly practical, inviting us to examine the quality of happiness we pursue in daily life. By understanding these distinctions, we can make more conscious choices about what brings us joy, recognizing that true happiness isn't merely about fleeting pleasure but about that which ultimately frees us from suffering. Krishna's instruction here isn't to reject happiness but to discern which forms of happiness elevate our consciousness and which merely perpetuate our conditioning.