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Journal of Happiness Studies

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31-01-2017 | Research Paper

Happiness from Ancient Indian Perspective: Hitopadeśa

Authors: Piyush Gotise, Bal Krishna Upadhyay

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

People who seek happiness intentionally often do not get it. That is, as per the paradox of happiness, in order to be happy one should forget about it (Martin in J Happiness Stud 9(2):171–184, 2008) and try to make others happy. Given that, the purpose of present article is to suggest a six-stage people-centric (rather than self-centric) theoretical model of happiness (sukha), which is constructed using a framework based on one of the eminent ancient Indian texts—Hitopadeśa. The ancient yet novel model describes a balanced path to happiness. The propounded model indicates “knowledge” (vidyā) as a foremost antecedent of happiness. The model propounded not only offers insights on achieving integrated well-being and happiness in a moral and philanthropic way, but also extends complex constructs and perspectives in the realm of happiness studies and psychology, which could subsequently promote further research. Furthermore, the proposed model seems to corroborate some of the modern well-being theories.

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In response to an anonymous reviewer suggestion, we changed the script slightly from the original version written in the Hitopadeśa (Müller 1864, p. 2).

Instead of “religion”, we included “righteousness”; the explanations for this inclusion are reported further in the paper. See “Righteousness (dharma)” section in the proposed model.

It is an ancient Indian text written by Kauṭilya, which in English could be named as Science of Wealth.

Rājasic guṇa is associated with activity and dynamism whereas tāmasic guṇa with inertia and gloom (Paranjpe 2002).

Often the Sanskrit word ānanda represents bliss, whereas sukha represents happiness.

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Title: Happiness from Ancient Indian Perspective: Hitopadeśa
Authors: Piyush Gotise
Bal Krishna Upadhyay
Publication date: 31-01-2017
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9853-2

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