Secret of Success - How to Become Perfect
In the material world, perfection is often viewed as a peak of academic, professional, or physical achievement. However, the Vedic perspective reveals that true perfection is the purification of consciousness and the revival of one's eternal relationship with God. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while we are currently imperfect due to our contact with matter, we can become perfect by connecting ourselves with the Perfect Whole. This article outlines the "secret of success" and the practical steps one can take to achieve the highest perfection of human life.
Core Principle: Following the Perfect
Human beings are naturally imperfect, but they can become perfect by receiving knowledge from a perfect source. Śrīla Prabhupāda compares this to a child who is imperfect but receives perfect information from their mother. By accepting the words of Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā and following His leadership, a person's life becomes perfect. Perfection does not require one to change their position in life; it requires a change in consciousness—from serving one's own senses to serving Kṛṣṇa's senses.
- The conclusion is that if you simply follow the perfect instruction of Krsna, then automatically you become perfect, however imperfect you may be. That is our duty.
- If you accept Bhagavan's word with firm conviction, then your life is perfect immediately. Immediately you become perfect. There is no difficulty.
- If we simply carry the message of Krsna as it is, we become perfect. It is not very difficult.
Secret of Success: The Guru's Instruction
The most critical factor in "becoming perfect" is the relationship between the disciple and the spiritual master. According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the secret of success lies in taking the order of the spiritual master as one's life and soul. A disciple should not separate their life from the guru's instructions. By being submissive, ready for chastisement, and faithful in service, the reciprocation of knowledge becomes perfect, and the disciple is sure to reach the goal.
- As a man cannot separate his life from his body, a disciple cannot separate the order of the spiritual master from his life. If a disciple follows the instruction of the spiritual master in that way, he is sure to become perfect.
- A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.
- Lord Siva prays that his auspicious position continue eternally by virtue of the Lord's mercy upon him. The Supreme Lord is all-perfect, and the Lord instructs that one who worships Him also becomes perfect.
Practical Perfection: Chanting and Hearing
In the current age of Kali, the most accessible path to perfection is through the tongue—by chanting the holy name and tasting prasāda. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even if someone is not highly educated or a perfect brāhmaṇa, they can become a perfect human being simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Whether it takes seven days of careful hearing like Mahārāja Parīkṣit or fifty years of steady chanting, the process is guaranteed to cleanse the heart and lead to the highest spiritual platform.
- Simply by hearing, you become perfect. Just like Pariksit Maharaja. At the time of point of his death, he had no time to perform any yajna or any big, big thing. He simply heard Srimad-Bhagavatam carefully - and he became perfect simply by hearing.
- If for fifty years one chants simply Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, he is sure to become perfect. There is no doubt about it.
- In this age the sastra-vidhi is hari-kirtana. The more you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, the more you become perfect. This is sastra-vidhi. And Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirmed it.
Conclusion
Perfection is not a static state but a continuous engagement in the service of the Lord. As Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes, one who takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness becomes cleansed of all material contamination and makes spiritual progress very swiftly. By remaining submissive to the spiritual master and the perfect instructions of the śāstra, anyone—regardless of their past or present condition—can become a perfect human being and return 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 Becoming Perfect. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.