In plain words
When they pass them, they think it is gladness. But is there Ānanda? No. Next they go out for a job. They think that if they land a job, that will be Ānanda. The job comes their way. Is there Ānanda? That too is gladness for a month or two. Next they want a promotion. They go on longing for promotion. The promotion has come, but is there Ānanda? No. Now there must be a wedding. They think that is Ānanda. The wedding is over. There is no Ānanda. They say they want a son. A son is born; is there Ānanda? Next he says he wants a daughter; is there Ānanda? A daughter is born. Has it turned into Ānanda? From then on, husband and wife quarrel. Then God comes to mind. ‘O God! Why have I fallen into these worries? Rid me of these troubles,’ he prays. Everything was what he himself wished for! In nothing he wished for is there lasting Ānanda. Everything passes like drifting clouds. When is there Ānanda for you? Old age has come. You have discharged your duties to your children. Even then there is no Ānanda. In the end, into whose hands will you fall, who knows? And what disease will come, who knows: even there, it is worry! He has reached ninety. He has taken to his bed, and even then he asks for happiness. When the doctor comes to give an injection, he says, ‘Sir, give it without even a little pain.’ He wants happiness, even there! From birth till death: happiness, happiness! Where is happiness to be found? That is why Tyāgarāja said it. He said, ‘Is wealth the greater happiness, or the presence of Īśvara the greater happiness? Tell me truly, O mind.’ Wealth, gold, goods and carriages, everything came to his house, and he renounced it all. The presence of Īśvara is the greater happiness. We have to experience everything, but keep your aim on the pāramārthika and enjoy Prakṛti. There is nothing wrong in that. The pleasures of the world are needed! But do not ask for pleasures beyond the limit. Only so far, and no further! There should be only as much as is needed. If we do not send back out as much as we eat, the body is ruined. If we just go on eating, the disease of indigestion sets in. We must let go of what we have eaten. We breathe in air. We must breathe out again the air we have breathed in. That air cannot be held there.