Significance of Pleasure-Pain
Pleasure-Pain, according to Dharmashastra, represents a specific contrast where 'Pleasure' arises from virtuous actions and 'Pain' stems from vicious deeds. In the Vaisheshika philosophy, Pleasure-Pain signifies foundational experiences that invoke opposite responses, with Pleasure leading to Desire and Pain generating Aversion. Moreover, Pleasure and Pain are viewed as emotional sensations linked to positive and negative experiences, highlighting their significance in human perception and behavior.
Synonyms: Enjoyment-suffering, Happiness-misery
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Pleasure-Pain'
In Hinduism, Pleasure-Pain symbolizes foundational experiences leading to Desire and Aversion, signifies virtuous versus vicious actions, and reflects emotional responses tied to positive and negative experiences, highlighting the duality of human experience.
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Emotional experiences that are associated with the Self but cannot be attributed to the body or sense-organs as they are recognized subjectively.[1] (2) Emotional states that reflect positive (pleasure) and negative (pain) experiences, which influence human behavior and choices.[2] (3) Emotional responses produced in the Self as a result of the actions of virtue and vice.[3] (4) Emotional states that are outcomes of the Conjunction of the Self with the Mind.[4] (5) Pleasure and pain are emotional responses or sensations that are associated with positive and negative experiences, respectively.[5]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A specific pair of opposites where 'Pleasure' is the result of virtuous actions and 'Pain' is the consequence of vicious actions.[6]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) Emotional states that result from virtue and vice, with pleasure leading to attachment and pain leading to aversion.[7]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The text discusses the experience of pleasure and pain and questions whether the Lord, like transmigrating souls, experiences pleasure and pain when considering the pradhana.[8]
The concept of Pleasure-Pain in local and regional sources
Pleasure-Pain illustrates the intrinsic connection between happiness and suffering, emphasizing that one cannot attain true joy without confronting associated challenges and hardships, underscoring the dual nature of emotional experiences.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This refers to the inseparable duality of happiness and suffering, highlighting the challenges of achieving one without the other.[9]