We’re Unhappy for Being Happy—The Gita’s Take on Why Fulfillment Comes From Letting Go
Nidhi | Mar 11, 2025, 23:38 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Why do we feel restless even when life seems perfect? The Bhagavad Gita reveals a profound truth: true fulfillment doesn’t come from success or external achievements—it comes from letting go. This article explores Krishna’s teachings on detachment, why attachment to outcomes breeds unhappiness, and how inner peace emerges when we surrender control.
(Ashantasya kutah sukham?)
"How can there be happiness for one who is not at peace?" — Bhagavad Gita (2.66)
We live in an era where the pursuit of happiness has become a full-time job. From career goals and personal milestones to social media validation and material possessions, we are constantly chasing the next big thing in the hope that it will bring lasting joy. But the more we chase happiness, the more it seems to slip through our fingers. Even when we succeed—land the dream job, buy the house, find love—there’s often a quiet emptiness that lingers beneath the surface. Why is it that happiness feels so fleeting despite having everything we desire?
The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Sanskrit scripture that forms part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, offers a profound answer. The Gita teaches that happiness does not come from external achievements or possessions but from inner peace and detachment. True fulfillment arises not from gaining more, but from learning how to let go. Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra provide timeless insights into why the modern obsession with happiness is flawed—and how we can find deeper contentment through spiritual wisdom and inner balance.
Let’s explore how the Gita’s teachings can guide us toward lasting peace and fulfillment:
"योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥"
(Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya,
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga ucyate)
"Perform your duty with equanimity, abandoning attachment to success or failure—this is the essence of yoga." — Bhagavad Gita (2.48)
We often place happiness on a distant timeline: “I’ll be happy when I get that promotion,” “I’ll feel content once I buy that house.” But Krishna’s wisdom reminds us that this future-based happiness is an illusion.
By attaching happiness to an outcome, we deny ourselves the ability to feel joy in the present. When the outcome arrives, the satisfaction is short-lived because the mind quickly shifts to the next goal. True happiness is about finding joy in the process, not the destination. Fulfillment comes when you stop deferring happiness and start noticing the peace available right now.
"धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च।
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्॥"
(Dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca,
yatholbenāvṛto garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛtam)
"As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, as an embryo is concealed within the womb—so is wisdom obscured by desire." — Bhagavad Gita (3.38)
Desires are natural—it’s human to want love, success, and comfort. The problem arises when we attach our sense of self-worth to fulfilling these desires. When we believe that happiness is only possible if we get what we want, we give power to things outside of ourselves.
Krishna doesn’t advise us to eliminate desires; he teaches us to detach from the outcome. Want a fulfilling career? Fine. But don’t let your self-worth crumble if things don’t go as planned. When you pursue desires without attachment, you stay grounded whether you succeed or not.
"समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः।
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥"
(Samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpamānayoḥ,
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu samaḥ saṅga-vivarjitaḥ)
"One who remains equal in both praise and criticism, in pleasure and pain, is truly balanced." — Bhagavad Gita (12.18-19)
We often derive our sense of identity from how others perceive us. Compliments boost our ego, while criticism shatters our confidence. This emotional rollercoaster stems from attaching our self-worth to external validation.
The Gita teaches that true peace comes from emotional neutrality. When you stop depending on praise to feel good and criticism to feel bad, you reclaim your inner stability. Imagine receiving harsh feedback at work—if you aren’t attached to validation, you can process it calmly and improve without feeling wounded.
"न त्वं कर्माण्यरभ्याय मे कर्मफलहेतवः।
कर्मफलसंयोगं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमधिगच्छति॥"
(Na tvaṁ karmāṇyarabhyāya me karmaphalahetavaḥ,
karmaphala-saṁyogaṁ tyaktvā śāntim adhigacchati)
"One who renounces attachment to the results of action finds inner peace." — Bhagavad Gita (5.12)
We tend to categorize life events into good or bad—promotion is good, failure is bad; love is good, heartbreak is bad. But Krishna teaches that peace lies in dropping these labels. Life’s events are inherently neutral—it’s our mental interpretation that creates suffering.
When you stop labeling outcomes, you begin to see them as opportunities for growth rather than wins and losses. Losing a job could be painful, but it might also create space for a better opportunity. Letting go of labels allows you to flow with life rather than resist it.
"प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः।
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते॥"
(Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ,
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate)
"All actions are performed by the modes of nature, but the deluded soul thinks, 'I am the doer.'" — Bhagavad Gita (3.27)
We often feel the need to micromanage life, believing that we control every outcome. But the Gita reminds us that life unfolds through a complex web of forces—karma, timing, fate, and collective consciousness.
Instead of obsessing over controlling outcomes, Krishna advises becoming a witness. Imagine being stuck in traffic—you can’t change it, but you can control how you respond. Accepting that you’re not in control frees you from anxiety and helps you find peace even amid chaos.
"नैवं सत्येव कर्त्तव्यं
मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर।"
(Naivaṁ satyeva karttavyaṁ
muktasaṅgaḥ samācara)
"Act without attachment, and peace will follow." — Bhagavad Gita (3.19)
We chase happiness as if it’s a destination, but Krishna teaches that peace—not happiness—is the real goal. Happiness is fleeting; peace is enduring. When you stop chasing happiness and focus on cultivating inner stillness, contentment arises naturally.
Fulfillment comes from being present in your life without demanding that it feel perfect. Peace is not found in highs or lows—it’s found in the quiet acceptance of life as it is.
"ज्ञेयं यत्तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि यज्ज्ञात्वामृतमश्नुते।"
(Jñeyaṁ yat tat pravakṣyāmi yaj jñātvāmṛtam aśnute)
"Knowing that which is eternal brings liberation." — Bhagavad Gita (13.12)
Modern life pressures us to constantly improve—better body, better skills, better relationships. But Krishna’s wisdom shifts the focus from self-improvement to self-realization. You are not broken; you are whole. Fulfillment comes not from fixing yourself but from understanding your true nature.
When you stop striving to become more and start recognizing that you are already enough, you unlock a deeper sense of peace.
The Gita whispers a truth we often overlook: happiness isn’t something to chase—it’s something to uncover. We spend our lives gripping tightly to success, terrified of failure, believing that peace lies in the next achievement. But Krishna reminds us that peace isn’t found in the outcome—it’s found in the release.
Letting go isn’t weakness—it’s courage. It’s standing still as the world spins around you, knowing that you are enough even when life feels incomplete. Success and failure are fleeting shadows; you are the light beneath them. When you stop clinging to the highs and fearing the lows, you awaken to a quiet steadiness—a fulfillment that doesn’t rise and fall with circumstance.
You are not the storm—you are the sky. The moment you stop measuring your worth by what you gain or lose, you’ll realize that happiness was never outside you. It was always there, waiting for you to let go.
"How can there be happiness for one who is not at peace?" — Bhagavad Gita (2.66)
We live in an era where the pursuit of happiness has become a full-time job. From career goals and personal milestones to social media validation and material possessions, we are constantly chasing the next big thing in the hope that it will bring lasting joy. But the more we chase happiness, the more it seems to slip through our fingers. Even when we succeed—land the dream job, buy the house, find love—there’s often a quiet emptiness that lingers beneath the surface. Why is it that happiness feels so fleeting despite having everything we desire?
The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Sanskrit scripture that forms part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, offers a profound answer. The Gita teaches that happiness does not come from external achievements or possessions but from inner peace and detachment. True fulfillment arises not from gaining more, but from learning how to let go. Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra provide timeless insights into why the modern obsession with happiness is flawed—and how we can find deeper contentment through spiritual wisdom and inner balance.
Let’s explore how the Gita’s teachings can guide us toward lasting peace and fulfillment:
1. Stop Borrowing Happiness From the Future
Krishna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥"
(Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya,
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga ucyate)
"Perform your duty with equanimity, abandoning attachment to success or failure—this is the essence of yoga." — Bhagavad Gita (2.48)
We often place happiness on a distant timeline: “I’ll be happy when I get that promotion,” “I’ll feel content once I buy that house.” But Krishna’s wisdom reminds us that this future-based happiness is an illusion.
By attaching happiness to an outcome, we deny ourselves the ability to feel joy in the present. When the outcome arrives, the satisfaction is short-lived because the mind quickly shifts to the next goal. True happiness is about finding joy in the process, not the destination. Fulfillment comes when you stop deferring happiness and start noticing the peace available right now.
2. Desire Isn’t the Problem—Attachment Is
Desire
( Image credit : Pexels )
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्॥"
(Dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca,
yatholbenāvṛto garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛtam)
"As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, as an embryo is concealed within the womb—so is wisdom obscured by desire." — Bhagavad Gita (3.38)
Desires are natural—it’s human to want love, success, and comfort. The problem arises when we attach our sense of self-worth to fulfilling these desires. When we believe that happiness is only possible if we get what we want, we give power to things outside of ourselves.
Krishna doesn’t advise us to eliminate desires; he teaches us to detach from the outcome. Want a fulfilling career? Fine. But don’t let your self-worth crumble if things don’t go as planned. When you pursue desires without attachment, you stay grounded whether you succeed or not.
3. Stop Letting Praise and Criticism Shape Your Identity
Unhealthy Relationship
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥"
(Samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpamānayoḥ,
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu samaḥ saṅga-vivarjitaḥ)
"One who remains equal in both praise and criticism, in pleasure and pain, is truly balanced." — Bhagavad Gita (12.18-19)
We often derive our sense of identity from how others perceive us. Compliments boost our ego, while criticism shatters our confidence. This emotional rollercoaster stems from attaching our self-worth to external validation.
The Gita teaches that true peace comes from emotional neutrality. When you stop depending on praise to feel good and criticism to feel bad, you reclaim your inner stability. Imagine receiving harsh feedback at work—if you aren’t attached to validation, you can process it calmly and improve without feeling wounded.
4. Let Go of the ‘Good vs. Bad’ Labeling
Krishna-Arjuna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
कर्मफलसंयोगं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमधिगच्छति॥"
(Na tvaṁ karmāṇyarabhyāya me karmaphalahetavaḥ,
karmaphala-saṁyogaṁ tyaktvā śāntim adhigacchati)
"One who renounces attachment to the results of action finds inner peace." — Bhagavad Gita (5.12)
We tend to categorize life events into good or bad—promotion is good, failure is bad; love is good, heartbreak is bad. But Krishna teaches that peace lies in dropping these labels. Life’s events are inherently neutral—it’s our mental interpretation that creates suffering.
When you stop labeling outcomes, you begin to see them as opportunities for growth rather than wins and losses. Losing a job could be painful, but it might also create space for a better opportunity. Letting go of labels allows you to flow with life rather than resist it.
5. Be a Witness, Not a Controller
Observe
( Image credit : Pexels )
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते॥"
(Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ,
ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate)
"All actions are performed by the modes of nature, but the deluded soul thinks, 'I am the doer.'" — Bhagavad Gita (3.27)
We often feel the need to micromanage life, believing that we control every outcome. But the Gita reminds us that life unfolds through a complex web of forces—karma, timing, fate, and collective consciousness.
Instead of obsessing over controlling outcomes, Krishna advises becoming a witness. Imagine being stuck in traffic—you can’t change it, but you can control how you respond. Accepting that you’re not in control frees you from anxiety and helps you find peace even amid chaos.
6. Happiness Isn't the Goal—Peace Is
Praying
( Image credit : Pexels )
मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर।"
(Naivaṁ satyeva karttavyaṁ
muktasaṅgaḥ samācara)
"Act without attachment, and peace will follow." — Bhagavad Gita (3.19)
We chase happiness as if it’s a destination, but Krishna teaches that peace—not happiness—is the real goal. Happiness is fleeting; peace is enduring. When you stop chasing happiness and focus on cultivating inner stillness, contentment arises naturally.
Fulfillment comes from being present in your life without demanding that it feel perfect. Peace is not found in highs or lows—it’s found in the quiet acceptance of life as it is.
7. Self-Realization Over Self-Improvement
Realization
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Jñeyaṁ yat tat pravakṣyāmi yaj jñātvāmṛtam aśnute)
"Knowing that which is eternal brings liberation." — Bhagavad Gita (13.12)
Modern life pressures us to constantly improve—better body, better skills, better relationships. But Krishna’s wisdom shifts the focus from self-improvement to self-realization. You are not broken; you are whole. Fulfillment comes not from fixing yourself but from understanding your true nature.
When you stop striving to become more and start recognizing that you are already enough, you unlock a deeper sense of peace.
Fulfillment Begins Where Attachment Ends
Letting go isn’t weakness—it’s courage. It’s standing still as the world spins around you, knowing that you are enough even when life feels incomplete. Success and failure are fleeting shadows; you are the light beneath them. When you stop clinging to the highs and fearing the lows, you awaken to a quiet steadiness—a fulfillment that doesn’t rise and fall with circumstance.
You are not the storm—you are the sky. The moment you stop measuring your worth by what you gain or lose, you’ll realize that happiness was never outside you. It was always there, waiting for you to let go.