Two Paths: Shreyas and Preyas

There is a beautiful stanza in the second chapter of the first cycle of Kathopanishad in which it is said – “The good and the pleasant come to a man and the thoughtful mind turns around them and distinguishes. The wise choose out the good from the pleasant, but the dull soul chooses the pleasant rather than the getting of his good and its having.” (Kathopanishad, 1.2.2, translated by Sri Aurobindo) The two most important words in this verse which need to be understood in their root-sense are shreys and preyas. In this issue my attempt is to explain the root-sense of these two words.

The word shreyas is derived from the root-sound shri which means to cause to lean or rest on, lay on or in, fix on, fasten to, direct or turn towards, spread or diffuse light or radiance or beauty over. The most common word from this root is aashraya meaning support, refuge, shelter, dependence etc. The third person singular form of the root shri in present tense is shrayati or shrayate. The word shrii is another most familiar word from this root which means light, lustre, radiance, splendour, glory, beauty, grace, loveliness, prosperity, welfare, good fortune, success, auspiciousness, wealth, treasure, riches, high rank, power, might, majesty, royal dignity etc. Goddess Lakshmi is known as shrii because she is the refuge and support of all existence; she is the goddess of beauty and harmony. It is the greater harmony that supports all movements in the creation, without that there will be no creation. The word shriimaan (feminine shriimatii) is one who is in possession of shrii, the one who shines with the knowledge of Atman, lives in the light of the spirit. To achieve the knowledge that leads to the realization of the cosmic consciousness in each and everything is the object of shriividyaa. The word shreshtha which means the most excellent is also from the same root. The word shreyas, derived from the root shri, therefore, means that which diffuses light, brings happiness and bliss, and is good. It has the following meanings: auspicious, fortunate, conducive to welfare or prosperity, bliss, fortune, happiness, most splendid or beautiful, most excellent or distinguished, best, propitious, well disposed to, superior, preferable, better, better than etc. The word shreyaskara means that which promotes happiness and is favourable.

The word nihshreyas is another important word in this group. It is formed by combining the prefix nis with the word shreyas. The prefix nis conveys the sense of certainty, fullness, completeness and integrality. So, nihshreyas refers to that which is certainly and completely good. The word nihsreyas is related to the the salvation of Atman. When we fall back entirely on the inner support or resources, then the real quest begins to bear fruit. This leads to the realization that our real existence is in the Atman. This is nihshreyas, the perfect goodness or true happiness.

The word preyas is derived from the root prii which means: to please, gladden, delight, gratify, cheer, comfort, soothe, propitiate; to like, love, be kind to, to refresh. The third person singular form of this root in present tense is either priiNaati or priiyate. The words like priiti, prema and priya are derived from this root. The word priiti means pleasure, joy gladness, satisfaction, amity, love etc.; prema means love and affection; priya refers to fondness, one who is dear to, favourite, liked. So the word preyas means that which is pleasant.

According to a verse in Kathopanishad (1.2.2) from between shreyas (that which is good for the Atman) and preyas (that which is pleasing to the senses) the wise one always chooses the shreyas.

In a true sense preyas is that pleasure which is born from the contact of the senses with the objects and ‘is nectar to the lips at the first touch, but there is a secret poison in the bottom of the cup and after it the bitterness of disappointment, satiety, fatigue, revolt, disgust, sin, suffering, loss, transience.’ And that which is born of the satisfaction of the higher mind and spirit is shreyas. This refers to the best and most inward with us. At first this may, though not necessarily, be like a poison but in the end it straight leads to the nectar of immortality. So, preyas is something pleasing to the senses and leads to failure and disappointment. And shreyas is something good for the growth of the Atman which ultimately leads to nihshreyas, the perfect happiness.