Why are we unhappy?

People say, “I am unhappy. I am suffering.” But Vedanta asks, ‘What is the weight of sorrow? Does the sorrow weigh 50 gm, 200gm, 500 gm, or 1 kg? Has anyone measured the mass of sorrow? What is the colour of sorrow? What is the form of unhappiness? What is the force of sorrow?’ It has no force of its own. Nobody has seen sorrow having any mass, colour, form or power. God has no sorrow to give to us. We don’t want unhappiness. Still, we are suffering. God has not created sorrow nor has nature done so. Does the mother create sorrow for her child? No! Why then do children become unhappy? It is due to lack of understanding. Going to school is for the benefit of children but they are unhappy being sent to school; only due to lack of good sense. Bathing is good for health; soap washes the dirt away but children cry when mother bathes them. Unhappiness has no mass, colour, form or force, other than lack of good sense.

There are two types of Creation. One is the Creation of God. There is no sorrow in it. The other is our (mental) creation. We create it due to our foolishness. Diamonds, pearls, rubies are created by God. But one becomes unhappy thinking, ‘He has diamonds, pearls and rubies. I don’t have.” But the one who has them will also die leaving the gems and jewels behind. If you will have them you too will have to depart leaving them behind. Right now, you should thank God almighty for giving food and shelter. What if you have the stones and what if you don’t? The one who possesses them feels proud, “I have diamonds, pearls and rubies.” He is ensnared by egotism and you are ensnared by foolish envious thinking.

The diamonds created by God do not cause pain to anybody nor do they give joy to anybody. God has created diverse forms, colours and events for your joy, your knowledge, and enhancing your divine love. After birth you came in your mother’s lap. Neither your mother nor father nor grandfather made the milk. Mother ate rotis and vegetables but God made milk for you in mother’s body before your birth. You suckled it as and when you wished and then turned your face away. It is not considered to be defiled; it needs neither boiling nor storing in a refrigerator. Had it been too sweet, it would have caused hyperglycaemia; had it been tasteless, you would not have liked it. Had it been too hot, it would have burnt your tongue; had it been too cold, it would have aggravated Vata. Neither much cold nor much hot, neither much sweet nor tasteless. The excellent and healthful drink! Was it made by any insentient machine or Supreme Consciousness? Was it made by any enemy or Supreme benefactor? No, it was made by the Supreme Lord, the supreme well-wisher and friend of all; and it was made out of compassion with great care and attention.

When God brings favourable circumstances in life, it is to encourage us. And when, at times, He brings adversities in our life, it is to caution against becoming haughty. He gives illness to teach us not to be unrestrained in diet. He gives us health to serve mankind and to engage ourselves in devotional practices or to know Him. So tell me whether God causes pain to us or elevates us; God is our well-wisher or enemy? He is our well-wisher not enemy. God wants our progress, He is our well-wisher, and we also want to progress for our good yet why the sorrow?