The Purpose We Have All Forgotten

In the modern world, everyone is busy. We are advancing in science, expanding our economies, and nurturing our families. Yet, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out a tragic paradox: while we are improving the scenery of our lives, we have completely forgotten the plot. We are like travelers who have beautified their carriage but forgotten their destination.

Entangled in Society, Friendship, and Love

The mechanism of this forgetfulness is subtle. It begins with the natural desire for companionship and comfort. As we secure a spouse, a home, children, and wealth, our attention becomes absorbed in maintaining these temporary assets.

• The first combination is with wife, and then we want some apartment or place to live together, then produce children, then we want society; then we want money, wealth. In this way go on increasing, the real purpose of life is forgotten.

Thieves in the Kingdom of God

Śrīla Prabhupāda uses strong language to describe a life devoid of spiritual purpose. He explains that the world is supplied by the agents of the Lord. If we take these supplies—sunlight, food, water—for our own sense gratification without using them for self-realization, we become criminals under universal law.

• If we forget the purpose of human life and simply take supplies from the agents of the Lord for sense gratification, certainly we become thieves, and therefore we are punished by the laws of material nature.

What is the Real Purpose?

The human form is not meant merely for economic development or body maintenance; animals also do these things. The specific function of the human body is to understand spiritual values and re-establish our lost relationship with the Supreme.

• Human life is meant for understanding the spiritual value of life, but on account of the people being sudras, they are not interested. They are forgetting the real purpose of life.

Conclusion

When humanity forgets its mission, chaos ensues. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement exists solely to remind the world of what it has forgotten, before the opportunity of the human form is lost.

Dive Deeper into Srila Prabhupada's Vani

Srila Prabhupada lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Forgetting the Purpose. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Srila Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.