SrI: SrImathE satakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
sUthram 9
ஆநந்தரூபமாகையாவது – ஸுகரூபமாயிருக்கை
(Anandha rUpamAgaiyAvadhu – sukha rUpamAy irukkai)
Meaning: Being of the nature of bliss means that the self is naturally agreeable and desirable to itself.
What is meant by “Anandha-rUpa”?
In the previous sUthram, the commentator explained that the self is not inert (ajada), but self-revealing.
He now explains another characteristic of the self:
ஆநந்தரூபம்
(Anandha rUpam)
“Of the nature of bliss.”
What does this mean?
It does not mean that the self occasionally experiences happiness.
Rather, it means that happiness is intrinsic to its nature.
The meaning of bliss
The commentator defines bliss as:
ஸ்வத ஏவேஷ்டத்வம்
(svatha Eva ishtathvam)
“Being desirable in itself.”
Something is desired because it is agreeable.
The self is not desirable because of some external benefit.
It is desirable by its very nature.
The commentator further explains this as:
ஸ்வபாவமேயநுகூலமாயிருக்கை
(svabhAvamE anukUlamAy irukkai)
“Being naturally favourable.”
Thus, the self is inherently favourable to itself.
Its very nature is agreeable and beneficial.
Happiness and sorrow
The commentator cites a traditional statement:
अनुकूलं सुखं दुःखं प्रतिकूलम् इति स्थितेः
(anukUlam sukham dhu:kham prathikUlam ithi sthithE:)
“That which is favourable is called happiness; that which is unfavourable is called sorrow.”
This is a universally accepted principle.
Whenever something is experienced as favourable, it is called happiness.
Whenever something is experienced as unfavourable, it is called sorrow.
The self is naturally favourable to itself
The citation continues:
स्वात्मा स्वस्यानुकूलो हि इत्यात्मसाक्षिक एव सः
(svAthmA svasyAnukUlO hi ithyAthma sAkshika Eva sa:)
“The self is naturally favourable to itself; this is known through one’s own direct experience.”
No one needs proof to establish that he loves his own self.
Every person naturally wishes for his own well-being.
No one desires harm for himself for its own sake.
This universal experience reveals that the self is naturally agreeable to itself.
Because it is naturally agreeable to itself, it is of the nature of happiness.
How is this known?
This is not something known merely through inference.
It is directly experienced.
Every being instinctively seeks self-preservation and well-being.
Even when people desire external objects, they do so because they believe those objects will contribute to their own happiness.
Thus, the love shown toward other things ultimately rests upon one’s natural regard for oneself.
This direct experience confirms the self’s blissful nature.
What does the commentator intend?
The commentator is not saying that the bound soul continuously experiences bliss in samsAram.
The experiences of pleasure and pain arise because of the connection with the body and karma.
His point is different.
The essential nature of the self is such that it is always agreeable to itself.
Therefore, bliss belongs to the very nature of the self.
Conclusion
The self is called ஆநந்தரூபம் (Anandha rUpam) because it is naturally desirable and agreeable to itself.
That which is favourable is called happiness, and that which is unfavourable is called sorrow.
Since the self is inherently favourable to itself and this is directly experienced by everyone, it is said to be of the nature of bliss.
adiyen vAsudhEva rAmAnuja dhAsan
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