na alpe sukham asti

What Man Wants – An Elucidation of Indian Culture in the Light of Four Purusharthas | Practical Philosophy and Rational ReligionNow, the Veda makes a very important and logical comment: “naasti akritah kritena” – “an unconditional entity cannot be the product of a process” (Mun:1:2:12). It also declares, “yo vai bhuma tat sukham na alpe sukham asti” – “satisfaction is only in the infinite, not in the finite” (Cha: 7:23:1). Thus, my pursuit after security, happiness and peace, by doing various things and acquiring people and objects around me, is a futile one. I can never get unconditional security, happiness and peace, and I can never be satisfied with whatever I get. The Veda says, “na vittena tarpaniiyo manushyaha” – “man is not satisfied by any amount of wealth” (Kat: 1:1:27)