Discuss the concept of Bliss as depicted in Taittiriya Upanishad.

The Taittiriya Upanishad, a revered text in Hindu philosophy, expounds on the concept of bliss in the context of self-realization and spiritual wisdom. In this Upanishad, bliss is elucidated as Ananda, representing a transcendent and unbounded state of joy intrinsic to the realization of one's true nature.

According to the Taittiriya Upanishad, bliss is not to be equated with mere sensory pleasure or fleeting happiness derived from external circumstances. Instead, it is the inherent nature of the self (Atman) when realized in its fullness. The Upanishad guides seekers to look within and discover the source of everlasting bliss by recognizing the divinity within themselves.

Ananda, in the Taittiriya Upanishad, is intricately linked to the understanding of the three levels of existence: physical (Annamaya), vital or pranic (Pranamaya), and mental (Manomaya). Beyond these, the Upanishad points to the fourth state, the state of bliss (Anandamaya), where the individual self merges with the cosmic reality (Brahman), transcending the limitations of the material and mental realms.

In essence, the Taittiriya Upanishad's portrayal of bliss encourages spiritual seekers to delve into the inner dimensions of consciousness, recognizing that true happiness lies not in external pursuits but in the realization of the eternal and blissful nature of the self.