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The collection of yogic perspectives remains, meaning that whatever happiness is attained from the rise of merit, it is also happiness and suffering dependent on merit. Because that merit is also an external object, meaning that it is dependent on something else, that happiness which is dependent on it is that suffering itself. The characteristic of that suffering is obtained here.
The reason for calling merit an external object is that merit is auspicious action, and auspicious action is an external object, separate from the soul. Thus, from the rise of merit, which is in the form of an external object, whatever happiness is obtained by the gods, human kings, etc., is suffering from the ultimate perspective, or it is merely an appearance of happiness. The abundant wealth of Indra, Chakravarti, etc., and the so-called happiness obtained from the five senses related to it, is suffering itself. Here, the example presented in the story of the skilled pauper in the *Upamitibhavprapancha Katha* comes to mind, which clearly depicts the reality. In it, even those who have attained wealth from the rise of merit are called "skilled paupers," meaning those who are devoid of the wealth of dharma, and are said to be poor and miserable from the ultimate perspective. That entire wonderful allegorical description, like the great Siddhas, should be contemplated again and again by the liberated soul upon the soul of the father.
If one can consider bondage as happiness, then one can consider merit as happiness, but even a fool would not believe that. Because merit is the fetter of the army, and sin is the fetter of iron, but both are fetters. Whether a parrot is kept in a cage of the army or of iron, both are cages in the form of bondage. Therefore, whatever is dependent on karma, the bondage of the world continues. The thirst for objects remains.
The thirst for objects remains, how can it be called happiness? This has been discussed in detail above.
The essence of the above is that true, ultimate happiness arises only from meditation, because there is no dependence on anything else in self-meditation, or there is only dependence on the pure soul, the Supreme Soul, which is manifest. Therefore, the happiness of meditation is only dependent on the soul, and it arises only from the absence of karma. Being dependent on the soul, it is not subject to karma. Thus, in self-meditation, which is independent, the soul is the meditator, the object of meditation is the soul, and meditation is the soul. The trinity of meditator, meditation, and object of meditation becomes one here, the ultimate pure end is achieved. The inherent nature is the goal, the inherent nature is the means, and the inherent nature is the achievement. The non-dual unity is achieved here. Therefore, there is no agitation of any kind, no alternative form, ultimate non-dual peace is achieved, ultimate well-being arises, that is ultimate happiness, that is ultimate bliss. How can those who are attached to the trivial happiness of objects know about such supreme happiness of meditation? How can a villager understand the happiness of a city dweller? How can that happiness of meditation be described without experience?
"The happiness of the city dweller, the commoner does not know, the happiness of the beloved, the maiden does not know; without experience, the happiness of meditation, neither man nor woman can understand." - *Shri Saksha* 7-3