viṣhayendriya-sanyogād yat tad agre ’mṛitopamam
pariṇāme viṣham iva tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
viṣhaya — with the sense objects;
indriya — the senses;
sanyogāt — from the contact;
yat — which;
tat — that;
agre — at first;
amṛita-upamam — like nectar;
pariṇāme — at the end;
viṣham iva — like poison;
tat — that;
sukham — happiness;
rājasam — in the mode of passion;
smṛitam — is said to be
This verse talks about a type of happiness that many of us can relate to, especially when we think about experiences involving our senses, like seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling. For instance, consider when a young man meets a young woman. At first, everything about that encounter, from the way they look at each other to the excitement of physical closeness, feels thrilling and pleasurable, almost like drinking something sweet and delicious that brings joy.
However, as time goes on, this kind of happiness can turn into something painful. Just like candy that tastes good initially but later gives you a stomach ache, experiences driven purely by physical pleasure can lead to sadness, disappointment, or even heartbreak. For example, if the young couple experiences a breakup, the joy they once felt will now be replaced with feeling hurt and sad. This type of happiness often centers around fleeting experiences and can lead to more negative feelings in the long run, such as regret or longing.
The verse emphasizes that happiness based only on these temporary pleasures is what is known as ‘passionate’ happiness. It encourages us to recognize that not all pleasures are truly fulfilling or beneficial and warns us about the cycle of seeking pleasure only for immediate gratification without considering the potential consequences. Ultimately, it teaches us to be aware that some experiences may seem sweet and desirable at first but could lead to a sour end, creating turmoil instead of lasting happiness. Therefore, it suggests a need for deeper reflection on what brings us joy and to seek happiness in ways that are more stable and less dependent on our physical senses.