Ramana Maharshi About Priya, Moda And Pramoda

26th October, 1938

Talk 566

Atma is always Sat-Chit-Ananda. Of these, the first two are experienced in all the states, whereas the last one is said to be experienced in sleep only.

The question arises how the true nature of the Self can be lost in the waking and dream states.It is,really speaking,not lost.In sleep there is no mind and the Self shines as Itself,whereas in the other two states what shines forth is the reflected light of the Self.

Ananda is felt after the cessation of thoughts in sleep. It is also manifest on
other occasions as love, joy, etc., priya, moda and pramoda. But they are all chitta vrittis (modes of mind).

When a man is walking in the street his mind is full of fleeting thoughts. Suppose he passes a bazaar where some fine mangoes are for sale. He likes the mangoes and purchases them. He is next anxious to taste them. So he hastens home and eats them and feels happy.

When the fleeting thoughts give way to the pleasure at the sight of mangoes, it is priya, when he gets them as his own, the pleasure is moda; lastly, when he eats them, the pleasure is pramoda.

All the three kinds of pleasure are owing to the disappearance of other thoughts.

Source: Talks With Ramana Maharshi Book

Once Swami Vivekananda said,

The idea that the gratification of the senses constitutes enjoyment is purely materialistic.There is not one spark of real enjoyment there; all the joy you find in it is a mere reflection of the true bliss.

Retreat given at the Thousand Island Park, USA. June 25, 1895. Complete Works, 7.16.