To be happy or to be righteous?

Well, for someone who lives in the morally loaded yet hypocritical Indian society, the biggest question is how to balance our own choices against the choices which the society rightfully wants to make for us.

The term righteous is deceptively confusing, at least for people who are objective and do not want to follow the moral code of conduct. Righteous in its orthodoxy would mean something which is guilt free and devoid of any sin. But I am not aware who made these moral barometers and on what rationale? What they call a sin, for me may not be so much of a sin? Code of conducts attested by custom are not always befitting to the society, especially in a rapidly growing global village (world). 


To exemplify my anxiety, for some righteous, consuming alcohol is a sin. But for someone who relishes the subtle trip that alcohol has to offer, in order to help get a good night's sleep, is it really a sin? Isn't it more like a bane? People who drink alcohol with a kind heart become sinner because they need the sinalcohol to put them to sleep, but someone who will follow the righteous ways but have horrible karma, is still righteous? Hypocrisy baffles me. Alcohol, without doubt, is not good for health. However, anything in excess isn't good for health. Anything in moderation is acceptable though. To be accepted, one must be righteous, however, sometimes to be happy, you may not chose the path of righteousness. this is where the real problem arises.
If I chose, to give up something that makes me happy, only to become righteous, will i genuinely be happy? Yes, if it is out of my freewill and consent and suits my conscience, I may be more than happy. However, if you are forced and conditioned by the society, to take a path which you believe isn't quite as just as the society projects it, will you be really happy? 

Being a woman from India, this battle of happiness and righteousness, could be quite tiresome. The only plausible end I can think of is, whether to be happy or to be righteous, is question we must confront given the situations in front of us. Like we all know 'no two situations are the same', then why should be use the same barometer to make any decision we are confronted with.

P.S. I can sleep without alcohol :P