Answer
The satisfaction you are referring to is comparative or relative satisfaction — “I am better than someone else,” and so on. This is not absolute satisfaction. The temporary contentment experienced by karmis, or even by devotees in terms of having a peaceful life where everything is provided for, is still not absolute ānanda. Such satisfaction is illusory, because true satisfaction should permanently satisfy the soul.
If you apply a little intelligence, you will immediately see that the kinds of satisfaction you mentioned can be disturbed very quickly. Whether it is power, knowledge, sense gratification, good health, or material comfort — nothing lasts. Therefore, this so-called satisfaction is ultimately a fake or temporary satisfaction.
One might argue that if there were a way to remain eternally satisfied here, there would be no impetus to move forward. But that is not possible. Even simple reflection reveals that all these satisfactions are temporary. The jīva seeks peace, then satisfaction, and then happiness — but in a lasting, eternal sense.
You gave the example of Nārada Muni getting a taste. Similarly, we are told that there is a higher taste. The first step is to at least get information about that taste. Just as when someone tells you there is very tasty food at a restaurant, you first find out where it is and how to reach it, and then you go and experience it. In the same way, we may not yet have realization of the higher taste, but the first step toward realization is to hear about it from guru, sādhu, and śāstra. Hearing creates eagerness, and then one endeavors to pursue that higher taste — to practice bhakti-yoga, to pursue Krishna, and to engage in devotional service.
A devotee understands that there is nothing permanent to settle for in this world. Everything here is temporary. Therefore, a devotee cannot be compared with karmis who are satisfied with illusory happiness. A devotee knows the temporary nature of material satisfaction and thus cannot remain complacent. He is always seeking an eternal position — how to irrevocably rise above the three modes of material nature. He is not satisfied with the ups and downs of life.
At a superficial level, one may think, “This is very satisfying — a nice life in the āśrama.” But a devotee sees that the modes of material nature are still influencing and troubling him. His goal is to rise above the three modes and remain always connected with Krishna. Being entangled in the three modes of material nature means forgetfulness of Krishna — three broad ways in which one forgets Krishna. A devotee’s aim is to transcend these modes and remain steadily absorbed in remembrance of Krishna.
