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<p>This paper outlines the main ideas about <i>sukha</i> (“pleasure, bliss, happiness”) in Brahmanical thought, as expressed in the Sanskrit epics, and proceeds to analyse the concept of sukha in ascetic poetry and legends from the <i>Mahābhārata</i> and early Buddhist and Jaina literatures. This ascetic literature abounds in various compounds ending in -<i>sukha</i>. This paper argues that such classifications of <i>sukha</i> are typically used to create hierarchies of <i>sukha</i> for the purposes of religious rhetoric. This rhetoric may be used to promote certain religious goals as superior to others or to promote renunciation by claiming that the renouncer (<i>bhikṣu</i>) experiences a <i>sukha</i> that is superior to the <i>sukha</i> of the householder and the king. This paper also traces the background of the concept of <i>saṃtoṣa</i> (contentment) in the <i>Pātañjalayogaśāstra</i>, arguing that it draws on the <i>Mahābhārata</i> to introduce a tripartite hierarchy of <i>sukha</i>. Finally, the paper argues that a notion of “blameless” <i>sukha</i> was central to the identity of early Buddhists as they sought to distinguish themselves from early Jainas and other renunciate (<i>śramaṇa</i>) groups.</p>

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The Concept of sukha in the Ascetic Traditions of Ancient India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月13日

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  • Valters Negribs

摘要

This paper outlines the main ideas about sukha (“pleasure, bliss, happiness”) in Brahmanical thought, as expressed in the Sanskrit epics, and proceeds to analyse the concept of sukha in ascetic poetry and legends from the Mahābhārata and early Buddhist and Jaina literatures. This ascetic literature abounds in various compounds ending in -sukha. This paper argues that such classifications of sukha are typically used to create hierarchies of sukha for the purposes of religious rhetoric. This rhetoric may be used to promote certain religious goals as superior to others or to promote renunciation by claiming that the renouncer (bhikṣu) experiences a sukha that is superior to the sukha of the householder and the king. This paper also traces the background of the concept of saṃtoṣa (contentment) in the Pātañjalayogaśāstra, arguing that it draws on the Mahābhārata to introduce a tripartite hierarchy of sukha. Finally, the paper argues that a notion of “blameless” sukha was central to the identity of early Buddhists as they sought to distinguish themselves from early Jainas and other renunciate (śramaṇa) groups.