In plain words
We must attain the principle that suffers no loss. It is within us alone.
If Ānanda were in objects themselves, why should we not experience Ānanda with objects? Food is very welcome at a time of hunger. When it is served, there is great happiness. But once you have eaten well and your stomach is full, even if the dishes you like are served, you get angry and say, "I don't want it." Once we are full, we do not want even the least bit. There is no Ānanda at all from them. Then even disgust arises. If there were really Ānanda in food, why should disgust arise? Temporary happiness is not bliss. All this that comes and goes is not Ānanda at all; it is only santoṣa. We have sorrow. Why has sorrow come? Sorrow came because someone died. But did this death give the sorrow? No. Death did not give you sorrow. Somebody or other, so many people, are dying. Does that death give you sorrow? No. Because you have a connection with the man who has met death, it gave you sorrow. Through the attachment that says "he is mine", after he dies that sorrow torments you. Attachment gave you sorrow. Death did not give sorrow. Sorrow and Ānanda are a connection we make with objects.
A small example. The children are all here. A father had one son born to him, poor man. He brought up that son in many ways, raised him and educated him. He sent him abroad. Whatever he had of his own. He ran into some debt or other, sold off his lands and property, and sent him abroad. The boy studied and came back, like a modern boy. The parents were innocent people. We must get our boy married; he has gone so far, studied and come back. They meant to marry him to a girl who would bring honour and respect to the home. Then they asked the boy, "Son, there is your aunt's daughter: will you marry her?" ‘No I want only graduate girl.’ He said. ‘I don't want a village girl,’ he said. ‘I want a graduate girl who has studied,’ he said. I have been abroad. ‘It will not suit me at all to marry such boorish people,’ he said. The parents were very grieved. We have educated him so much! If these girls who study come into our home, there is work in the kitchen, the house to keep in order, clothes to wash, our service to do; since he is our only son, how good it would have been if such a girl had come to us! ‘He says he wants an educated girl! What are we to do?’ Both of them grieved. Well, what could they do? He stuck to his stubborn demand. This is the result of modern education. Then they had to give in to him.