View source for Aim of Human Life Is to Become Immortal

The drive for self-preservation is the strongest instinct in every living being. We do not want to die. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this desire exists because we are, in fact, eternal spirit souls. However, due to illusion, we try to fulfill this desire for immortality in the wrong place—the material world. Throughout history, demons, scientists, and ''yogis'' have tried to manufacture a way to keep the material body alive forever, but they have all failed. In these quotes, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that '''becoming immortal''' is indeed the goal of human life, but it is achieved only by stopping the cycle of birth and death and returning to the spiritual nature.

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=== Futile Quest for Material Immortality ===
The classic example of the materialistic struggle for immortality is the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu. He underwent severe penances to force Lord Brahmā to make him immortal. When Brahmā refused (admitting he himself was not immortal), Hiraṇyakaśipu tried to cheat death by asking for complex benedictions—not to be killed inside or outside, by man or beast, by day or night. Yet, he was still killed. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses this story to illustrate that no amount of intelligence, power, or scientific advancement can prevent the death of the material body.

* [[Vaniquotes:Hiranyakasipu tried to live forever. He underwent severe penances to become immortal. It was not possible|Hiranyakasipu tried to live forever. He underwent severe penances to become immortal. It was not possible.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The demons do like that, tapasya for living ever. But they will not take the real method of tapasya, to purify. Their real aim is this material world, and here they want to become immortal. That is their foolishness|The demons do like that, tapasya for living ever. But they will not take the real method of tapasya, to purify. Their real aim is this material world, and here they want to become immortal. That is their foolishness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We want to become powerful here by so-called science, so-called yoga, kundalini and what other nonsense they are think... They are trying to be immortal, powerful. No, sir, that is not possible. It is not possible|We want to become powerful here by so-called science, so-called yoga, kundalini and what other nonsense they are think... They are trying to be immortal, powerful. No, sir, that is not possible. It is not possible.]]

=== Real Immortality: Devotional Service ===
True immortality begins when we realize we are not the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that as soon as a person understands their constitutional position as a servant of God and engages in devotional service, they become immortal. This means they are no longer subject to the laws of material nature that force the soul to transmigrate from one dead body to another.

* [[Vaniquotes:A person who understands his constitutional position as a fragment of the Supreme Lord and engages himself in devotional service with all seriousness at once becomes immortal|A person who understands his constitutional position as a fragment of the Supreme Lord and engages himself in devotional service with all seriousness at once becomes immortal.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Upon attaining love of God, a person immediately becomes immortal and no longer has to change his material body|Upon attaining love of God, a person immediately becomes immortal and no longer has to change his material body.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The individual soul is advised by the direction of the Supersoul to surrender to Him and thus be happy. Thus he can become immortal and be transferred to the spiritual kingdom, where he will achieve the highest success of an eternal, blissful life|The individual soul is advised by the direction of the Supersoul to surrender to Him and thus be happy. Thus he can become immortal and be transferred to the spiritual kingdom, where he will achieve the highest success of an eternal, blissful life.]]

=== Process: Knowledge and Austerity ===
How does one achieve this state? It requires knowledge and sense control. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that in the West, becoming immortal is difficult because it requires controlling the senses, specifically sex life. Furthermore, one must understand the transcendental nature of Kṛṣṇa. As stated in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', anyone who truly understands Kṛṣṇa's appearance and activities does not take birth again.

* [[Vaniquotes:One should know in truth how Krsna, who takes His birth transcendentally, acts to kill the demons but is never killed. When one perfectly understands Krsna in this way, through the medium of sastra, one becomes immortal|One should know in truth how Krsna, who takes His birth transcendentally, acts to kill the demons but is never killed. When one perfectly understands Krsna in this way, through the medium of sastra, one becomes immortal.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Controlled means mind and the senses. And the prominent sense is sex. That is called control. So if you want to become immortal, then you must practice this. Of course, in Western countries, it is very difficult|Controlled means mind and the senses. And the prominent sense is sex. That is called control. So if you want to become immortal, then you must practice this. Of course, in Western countries, it is very difficult.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Simply chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare - Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, and gradually you'll realize how to become immortal|Simply chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare - Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, and gradually you'll realize how to become immortal.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The distinction between a civilized human being and an animal is the quest for immortality. Animals simply eat, sleep, mate, and die. A human being asks, "Why must I die?" and seeks the solution. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the Vedic scheme is the only scientific method to achieve this goal. By turning our attention from the temporary material world to the eternal spiritual reality, we can break the shackles of ''māyā'' and reclaim our birthright of eternal life.

=== 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:Becoming Immortal|Becoming Immortal]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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