Sukhasya Mulam Dharmah (The Root of Happiness) PDF

सुखस्य मूलं धर्मः। धर्मस्य मूलम् अर्थः। अर्थस्य मूलं राज्यम्। राज्यस्य मूलम् इन्द्रियजयः। इन्द्रियजयस्य मूलं विनयः। विनयस्य मूलं वृद्धोपसेवा॥

sukhasya mūlaṁ dharmaḥ। dharmasya mūlam arthaḥ। arthasya mūlaṁ rājyam। rājyasya mūlam indriya-jayaḥ। indriya-jayasya mūlaṁ vinayaḥ। vinayasya mūlaṁ vṛddhopasevā॥

The root of happiness is righteousness (dharma). The root of righteousness is wealth (rightly earned). The root of wealth is a well-ordered state. The root of a well-ordered state is mastery over the senses. The root of self-mastery is humility. And the root of humility is service of the elders and the wise. The verse traces happiness back, step by step, to the humble service of those who are wise.