View source for What Is the True Necessity in Human Life

Modern civilization is plagued by the constant invention of artificial needs, leaving humanity perpetually dissatisfied and spiritually vacant. Exposing this grand illusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the only actual necessity for a human being is to awaken their dormant spiritual consciousness through submissive inquiry. By embracing this singular pursuit, all other complex material problems are automatically solved.

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=== Rejecting Artificial Material Demands ===
The conditioned soul complicates life by inventing countless unnecessary technologies, psychological theories, and material comforts. Reminding humanity of the simplicity of spiritual living, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that excessive focus on the body merely diverts attention from the true goal of existence. The actual self requires none of these artificial arrangements.

* [[Vaniquotes:People are now very much advanced in understanding sex life. So many books, Freud philosophy, this philosophy. And after all, this is already there. What is the need of philosophy?|People are now very much advanced in understanding sex life. So many books, Freud philosophy, this philosophy. And after all, this is already there. What is the need of philosophy?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am not this body - that is the whole scheme of Vedic knowledge. Apasya . . . this is the important point, apasyatam atma-tattvam. Because they do not know what is the necessity of life, therefore they have created so many news|I am not this body - that is the whole scheme of Vedic knowledge. Apasya... this is the important point, apasyatam atma-tattvam. Because they do not know what is the necessity of life, therefore they have created so many news.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:More machine means more diversion of attention. I have to take care, more technician, more technologies. Simply if one razor can shave, can make my cheek very clean, where is the necessity?|More machine means more diversion of attention. I have to take care, more technician, more technologies. Simply if one razor can shave, can make my cheek very clean, where is the necessity?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When there are ample earthly flats to lie on, what is the necessity of cots and beds? When one can use his own arms, what is the necessity of a pillow? When one can use the palms of his hands, what is the necessity of varieties of utensils?|When there are ample earthly flats to lie on, what is the necessity of cots and beds? When one can use his own arms, what is the necessity of a pillow? When one can use the palms of his hands, what is the necessity of varieties of utensils?]]

=== The Urgent Necessity of a Guru ===
To penetrate the dense ignorance of material illusion, the soul desperately requires the guidance of an awakened authority. Dismissing the arrogant claim that one can reach perfection independently, Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that accepting a genuine spiritual master is an absolute, unavoidable necessity for anyone inquiring into the Absolute Truth.

* [[Vaniquotes:He will never think that "I am fool number one." He will always think, "Oh, who can be greater than me? I can think myself. Why? What is the necessity of a spiritual master? I can become a religious leader, I can become such and such, or..."|He will never think that "I am fool number one." He will always think, "Oh, who can be greater than me? I can think myself. Why? What is the necessity of a spiritual master? I can become a religious leader, I can become such and such, or..."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If everyone is God, then what is the necessity of finding out a guru? Guru means who explains about God. Everyone is God, then what is the use of explanation? There is no need of guru|If everyone is God, then what is the necessity of finding out a guru? Guru means who explains about God. Everyone is God, then what is the use of explanation? There is no need of guru.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who has become inquisitive of the uttamam, the most exalted subject matter, he requires a guru. Otherwise, who will answer his inquiries? Tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh. If he's not jijnasuh, what is the need of guru|One who has become inquisitive of the uttamam, the most exalted subject matter, he requires a guru. Otherwise, who will answer his inquiries? Tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh. If he's not jijnasuh, what is the need of guru.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We sometimes accept one guru. But why should we accept guru? What is the necessity of accepting guru? This is the necessity for tattva-jijnasa, for inquiring about the Absolute Truth|We sometimes accept one guru. But why should we accept guru? What is the necessity of accepting guru? This is the necessity for tattva-jijnasa, for inquiring about the Absolute Truth.]]

=== The All-Encompassing Power of Devotion ===
When a person takes full shelter in the loving service of Kṛṣṇa, all lesser goals and material aspirations instantly lose their value. Illustrating the supreme perfection of the soul, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that for a pure devotee, there is no longer any need for mundane religious rituals, material benefits, or even liberation.

* [[Vaniquotes:Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura describes the word bhakti by saying premaivoktah. Kah anyah arthah asya: in the presence of bhakti, what is the necessity of liberation|Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura describes the word bhakti by saying premaivoktah. Kah anyah arthah asya: in the presence of bhakti, what is the necessity of liberation.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The brahmanas do not seek material comforts from Me. They are very pure and do not want to possess anything. They simply engage in My devotional service. What is the need of their asking for material benefits from anyone else?|The brahmanas do not seek material comforts from Me. They are very pure and do not want to possess anything. They simply engage in My devotional service. What is the need of their asking for material benefits from anyone else?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There are twenty kinds of sastras, dharma-sastra. Vimsati dharma-sastra. So what is the necessity of these dharma-sastras? Actually, there is no need of dharma-sastra. Krsna also says the same thing. Sarva-dharman parityajya|There are twenty kinds of sastras, dharma-sastra. Vimsati dharma-sastra. So what is the necessity of these dharma-sastras? Actually, there is no need of dharma-sastra. Krsna also says the same thing. Sarva-dharman parityajya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:What need is there to speak of the deliverance of persons who are always engaged in the service of the Lord? There is no doubt about their liberation, even if they have stocks of sinful activities from many, many births|What need is there to speak of the deliverance of persons who are always engaged in the service of the Lord? There is no doubt about their liberation, even if they have stocks of sinful activities from many, many births.]]

=== The Supreme Need for Preaching ===
The greatest welfare activity in a suffering world is to distribute transcendental knowledge and reawaken humanity's dormant love for God. Exhibiting unparalleled compassion, Śrīla Prabhupāda declares that the ultimate necessity of preaching is simply to cure the material disease and make people genuinely happy.

* [[Vaniquotes:If there is an epidemic, infection, so in that condition, first of all what is the necessity? First thing is to disinfect the epidemic. In the infected area you cannot derive any benefit by discussing morality or immorality|If there is an epidemic, infection, so in that condition, first of all what is the necessity? First thing is to disinfect the epidemic. In the infected area you cannot derive any benefit by discussing morality or immorality.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is not so important that you have no temple building just now. The main thing is that somehow or other preaching work goes on and literature is distributed. We are prepared to sleep under a tree, so what is there need for a fancy house|It is not so important that you have no temple building just now. The main thing is that somehow or other preaching work goes on and literature is distributed. We are prepared to sleep under a tree, so what is there need for a fancy house.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Preaching is first and foremost. If by preaching people will contribute, then we can get, otherwise, what is the need?|Preaching is first and foremost. If by preaching people will contribute, then we can get, otherwise, what is the need?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Why we are preaching? What is the necessity of preaching? The necessity is to make them happy. If we follow the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction, then our life will be successful and we will be happy|Why we are preaching? What is the necessity of preaching? The necessity is to make them happy. If we follow the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction, then our life will be successful and we will be happy.]]

=== Conclusion ===
By identifying the stark difference between bodily demands and spiritual requirements, the sincere soul learns to focus entirely on what truly matters. In delivering this supreme wisdom, Śrīla Prabhupāda frees humanity from the exhausting pursuit of material illusions, guiding society toward the ultimate necessity of pure, unalloyed devotion to the Supreme Personality of 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:What_Is_The_Necessity%3F|What Is The Necessity?]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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