The Happiness Guarantee: Insights from Vedanta | Dr. Janki Santoke

The Happiness Guarantee: Insights from Vedanta | Dr. Janki Santoke

Author: Vedanta Society of New York May 4, 2026 Duration: 1:07:01

Dr. Janki Santoke explores the Vedantic understanding of happiness, explaining that lasting joy cannot be found in external objects, achievements, relationships, or even spiritual institutions, but must be discovered and cultivated within oneself. She defines happiness as the cessation of mental agitation, traces agitation to desire, and shows how Vedanta offers a practical path through karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and jnana yoga to purify the mind, sharpen the intellect, reduce desires, and move toward true peace, self-mastery, and ultimately Self-realization.


Dr. Janki Santoke (PhD, Philosophy) is a senior disciple of world-renowned guru, Swami A. Parthasarathy. She has spent more than three decades disseminating the knowledge of Vedanta to the general public, helping enhance the quality of their lives. She facilitates this through online weekly sessions, public talks, workshops, seminars, retreats and written articles. To learn more, please visit: https://janki.santoke.com


This talk was recorded on April 19, 2026.


🙏 Please Support the Vedanta Society of New York

http://www.vedantany.org/donate


🌐 Please Visit Us


📙 Books by Swami Sarvapriyananda


Lecture Series by Swami Sarvapriyananda

📓 Introductory Lectures: https://www.vedantany.org/introductor...

📚 Vedanta Scriptures: https://www.vedantany.org/by-scriptures

🧩 Lectures by Topics: https://www.vedantany.org/by-topic

💬 AskSwami Q&A: https://www.vedantany.org/ask-swami-qa


📖 Scriptures Taught by Swami Sarvapriyananda

   • Aparokshanubhuti | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Bhagavad Gita | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriy...  

   • Dṛg Dṛśya Viveka | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami Sarv...  

   • Isha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Katha Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Kena Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Mandukya Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Mundaka Upanishad | Swami Sarvapriyananda  

   • Vedantasara of Sadananda | Swami Sarvapriy...  


🪔 About Vedanta

Vedanta is among the world’s oldest spiritual philosophies and one of its most inclusive. Rooted in the Vedas, India’s sacred scriptures, Vedanta upholds the unity of all existence, the divinity of the soul, and harmony among religions.


🏛️ About This Channel

This is the official channel of the Vedanta Society of New York, a spiritual institution affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India and holds the distinction of being its first established Center, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Swami Sarvapriyananda currently serves as the Resident Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York.


Within the quiet sanctuary of the Vedanta Society of New York, a voice explores the profound depths of an ancient tradition. Vedanta Talks-Swami Sarvapriyananda presents the teacher's illuminating discourses, recorded live, which delve into one of humanity's oldest and most comprehensive spiritual philosophies. Rooted in the wisdom of the Vedas, Vedanta is not merely a historical subject but a living inquiry into the nature of reality itself. Each episode feels like a personal audience, where Swami Sarvapriyananda articulates core principles-such as the essential oneness of all existence and the inherent divinity within each person-with remarkable clarity and contemporary relevance. This podcast, offered by the Society founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894, makes this expansive philosophy accessible, demonstrating how its timeless insights foster genuine personal growth and a meaningful understanding of life's biggest questions. The conversations naturally extend to the harmony found among all religious paths, providing a unifying perspective for seekers from any background. Tuning into this podcast is an invitation to reflect deeply, moving beyond abstract theory to practical wisdom that resonates long after each talk concludes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda
Podcast Episodes
Sri Chaitanya - The Love of God | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:23
Divine Personalities | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda’s offers an inspiring overview of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s life, from his early brilliance in Navadvipa to his transformation into a world-teacher of ec…
Gospel | Chapter 6: Oct 28, 1882 (Part 6) | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:10
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri…
9. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Mantra 2.4.13 | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:17
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest and most foundational Principal Upanishads of Hinduism, is being taught in this lecture series by Swami Sarvapriyananda. Belonging to the Śukla Yajurveda and forming the co…
8. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Mantra 2.4.12 | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:50
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest and most foundational Principal Upanishads of Hinduism, is being taught in this lecture series by Swami Sarvapriyananda. Belonging to the Śukla Yajurveda and forming the co…
Gospel | Chapter 6: Oct 28, 1882 (Part 5) | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:12
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The tex…
7. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Mantra 2.4.11 | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:46
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest and most foundational Principal Upanishads of Hinduism, is being taught in this lecture series by Swami Sarvapriyananda. Belonging to the Śukla Yajurveda and forming the co…
Gospel | Chapter 6: Oct 28, 1882 (Part 4) | Swami Sarvapriyananda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:05
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The tex…