Chapter 15: Happiness

True happiness comes from living without hatred even among those who hate us.

Happiness is achieved by being free from physical ailments even while surrounded by the suffering.

Contentment comes from freedom from greed, even while living among the greedy.

Those who possess nothing share in the happiness of the gods through feeding on spiritual joy.

Victory creates unhappiness through the suffering of the defeated, whereas contentment free from both victory and defeat is the true happy state.

The author ranks various sources of suffering (passion, hatred, bodily pain) and identifies rest as the highest happiness.

Understanding that the body is the greatest pain source constitutes the true knowledge that leads to Nirvana, the ultimate happiness.

The author ranks health, contentedness, and trust as supreme earthly goods, with Nirvana as the transcendent highest happiness.

One who experiences the sweetness of solitude and tranquility while following the dharma becomes free from fear and sin.

Associating with the elect (Arya) brings happiness and avoiding fools ensures true happiness.

Walking with fools causes prolonged suffering similar to enmity, while company with the wise brings pleasure like meeting with kinfolk.

One should follow the wise, intelligent, learned, and dutiful as the moon follows the stars, as a model for proper conduct.