On the nature of Happiness, Ramana Maharishi, in his talks of February 1935, explains as follows –

“When there is contact of a desirable sort or memory thereof, and when there is freedom from undesirable contacts or memory thereof, we say there is happiness. Such happiness is relative and is better called pleasure.”
“But men want absolute and permanent happiness. This does not reside in objects, but in the Absolute. It is Peace free from pain and pleasure – It is a neutral state.

“Our nature is primarily one, entire, blissful. Take this as a probable hypothesis. Creation is by the entire Godhead breaking into God and Nature. This Nature is of two parts: the supporting essence and the five elements, mind, intellect and ego (eight-fold).”

“Ego’s perfection is suddenly broken at a point and a want is felt giving rise to a desire to get something or do something. When that want is cured by the fulfillment of that desire, the ego is happy and the original perfection is restored. Therefore happiness may be said to be our natural condition or nature. “

“Pleasure and pain are relative and refer to our finite state, with progress by satisfaction of want. If relative progress is stopped and the soul merges into Brahman – of the nature of perfect peace – that soul ceases to have relative, temporary pleasure and enjoys perfect peace – Bliss.”

“ Hence Self-Realisation is Bliss; It is realizing the Self as the limitless spiritual eye (jnana dristi) and not clairvoyance. It is the highest self-surrender.”

(Talk 28 – TALKS with Sri Ramana Maharishi)