Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 18: Inaugurating the three-day national seminar on 'Ananda Meemamsa' or investigation into pure joy that went under way at Canara College Mangalore on Monday November 17, Kalidasa Samskrit Academy Ujjain director Prof Mithila Prasad Tripati said that Ananda is the pinnacle of innermost ecstasy or bliss. 'Ananda' is one of the humors in literature which is known as the 'Brahma' in Upanishads, he explained. In spite of various forms and intensity the 'Ananda' might take, the feeling is universal and every one wants to experience it again and again, he added.

"Although the word, 'Ananda' is found in Vedas, it is dealt in detail in the Upanishads. The experience of 'Ananda' can be as miniscule as the grain of sand to the height of ecstasy that can be compared to an ocean. Pure joy is the natural trait of living beings, but the humans over time, have come to experience the 'Sathvika(pure, gentle)', 'Rajas(imperious)' or 'Tamas (murky)' forms of 'Ananda', he analysed.

Prof C Rejendran of Calicut University said that there is a debate as to whether the word 'Ananda' is aptly described through its English translation as 'happiness' and  whether it is much beyond that. The poets in foreign countries prefer to translate 'Ananda' as 'bliss' rather than 'happiness', he explained. Since ages, Indian philosophers have believed that 'Ananda' is inherent and there is no need to go searching for it outside. A person plagued by external problems can still keep the inner spirit of 'Ananda' kindled, if he wants to do so. It is in the nature of humans and searching it outside like a musk deer will be futile, he said.  Many thinkers have explained 'Ananda' as unworldly joy and the pleasure one gets from worldly objects which is materialistic in nature  can not be 'Ananda', be felt.

Prof H V Nagaraj Rao Mysore delivered the keynote address.  Canara High School Association president Dr U S Mohandas Nayak presided. Several other dignitaries were present.