View source for Defining the Aim of Human Life


The human form of life is a unique junction in the evolutionary process. Unlike the millions of animal species that are driven solely by instinct, the human being has the capacity to inquire about the ultimate goal of existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines this goal clearly: to break the cycle of birth and death and return to the eternal spiritual world. Any civilization that does not aim for this destination is, according to Vedic wisdom, no better than a polished animal society.

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=== More Than Animal Life ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently contrasts human life with animal life. He explains that if a human being simply engages in eating, sleeping, mating, and defending—however sophisticated the manner—they are wasting their valuable opportunity. The specific function of human life is ''tapasya'' (austerity) for the purpose of purification.

* [[Vaniquotes:In this world the human being is not meant for quarreling like the cats and dogs. They must be intelligent enough to realize the importance of the human life and refuse to act like ordinary animal. A human being should realize the aim of human life|In this world the human being is not meant for quarreling like the cats and dogs. They must be intelligent enough to realize the importance of the human life and refuse to act like ordinary animal. A human being should realize the aim of human life.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Human civilization means tapasya, austerity. Tapo divyam putraka yena suddhyet sattvam (SB 5.5.1). Sattva. We have to purify our existence. That is the aim of human life|Human civilization means tapasya, austerity. Tapo divyam putraka yena suddhyet sattvam (SB 5.5.1). Sattva. We have to purify our existence. That is the aim of human life.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:These people they have no aim of life. What is the aim of human..., they do not know. So their animal propensities are being adjusted this way, that way, this way, that way. Just like they go to see naked dance|These people they have no aim of life. What is the aim of human..., they do not know. So their animal propensities are being adjusted this way, that way, this way, that way. Just like they go to see naked dance.]]

=== Curing the Material Disease ===

Material existence is described as a diseased condition characterized by the four miseries: birth, death, old age, and disease. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the aim of human life is to cure this disease, not to aggravate it by indulging in sense gratification. Just as a patient must undergo treatment to recover health, the human being must follow regulative principles to recover their original spiritual identity.

* [[Vaniquotes:A patient must regain his health before he can truly enjoy sense pleasure again. Thus the aim of human life should not be to enjoy perverted sense enjoyment but to cure the material disease|A patient must regain his health before he can truly enjoy sense pleasure again. Thus the aim of human life should not be to enjoy perverted sense enjoyment but to cure the material disease.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The aim of human life is to get out of the clutches of maya, repetition of birth and death and transmigration from body to another. That is the real aim of life. That is real freedom|The aim of human life is to get out of the clutches of maya, repetition of birth and death and transmigration from body to another. That is the real aim of life. That is real freedom.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Death, birth, old age and illness are symptoms of the diseased condition of the living being. The highest aim of human life should therefore be to get free from these miseries and go back home, back to Godhead|Death, birth, old age and illness are symptoms of the diseased condition of the living being. The highest aim of human life should therefore be to get free from these miseries and go back home, back to Godhead.]]

=== The Destination: Viṣṇu ===

The ultimate objective of human life is often missed by modern society. Quoting the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that people do not know their self-interest (''svārtha-gati'') is Lord Viṣṇu. Whether one calls it God realization, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or returning home, the destination is the same: the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

* [[Vaniquotes:Not knowing the aim of human life, one is constantly being misguided. The aim of life is Visnu (SB 7.5.31) - na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum|Not knowing the aim of human life, one is constantly being misguided. The aim of life is Visnu (SB 7.5.31) - na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because of their (Persons) foolish activities, they are unaware that the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve Visnu, the Lord of the cosmic manifestation|Because of their (Persons) foolish activities, they are unaware that the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve Visnu, the Lord of the cosmic manifestation.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This verse (SB 4.29.47) indicates, however, that such sacrifices are to be taken as illusory. Actually the aim of human life should be God realization, or Krsna consciousness|This verse (SB 4.29.47) indicates, however, that such sacrifices are to be taken as illusory. Actually the aim of human life should be God realization, or Krsna consciousness.]]

=== Knowledge and Renunciation ===

To achieve this high goal, two things are required: ''jñāna'' (knowledge) and ''vairāgya'' (renunciation). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that simply discussing philosophy is useless without the practical detachment from material enjoyment. The human form is meant for acquiring the knowledge of one's relationship with God and the renunciation of temporary material attachments.

* [[Vaniquotes:Two things must be there—jnana and vairagya. I have already explained that actually our aim of life, human life, is to acquire knowledge and vairagya. Simply talking of knowledge is useless. There must be vairagya also|Two things must be there—jnana and vairagya. I have already explained that actually our aim of life, human life, is to acquire knowledge and vairagya. Simply talking of knowledge is useless. There must be vairagya also.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A man should lead a healthy life with a sound mind just to realize vidya, true knowledge, which is the aim of human life. This life is not meant for working like an ass or for culturing avidya for sense gratification|A man should lead a healthy life with a sound mind just to realize vidya, true knowledge, which is the aim of human life. This life is not meant for working like an ass or for culturing avidya for sense gratification.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As long as one is blind to inquiring after self-realization, all material activities, however great they may be, are all different kinds of defeat because the aim of human life is not fulfilled by such unwanted and profitless activities|As long as one is blind to inquiring after self-realization, all material activities, however great they may be, are all different kinds of defeat because the aim of human life is not fulfilled by such unwanted and profitless activities.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Without a clear aim, human life is like a ship without a rudder, drifting aimlessly in the ocean of material existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that without fulfilling this mission, there is no guarantee of receiving a human body in the next life. Therefore, the intelligent person must utilize every moment to advance toward the supreme goal: back home, back to Godhead.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Aim of Human Life|Aim of Human Life]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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