Supreme Personality of Godhead - The Ultimate Desired Goal
Every living entity is searching for satisfaction, setting various objectives they believe will bring happiness. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the Vedic scriptures reveal that the Desired Goal of human life is not found in temporary material achievements or dry liberation, but in re-establishing one's eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. The following sections explore how directing one's endeavors toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the only path to true fulfillment and perfection.
The Lord as the Supreme Object of Attainment
The Supreme Lord is not merely a neutral observer; He is the active well-wisher and ultimate destination for the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kapila Deva explains that for the devotee, the Lord acts as the son, friend, spiritual master, and the ultimate goal, protecting them from the destructive influence of time.
- Engagement in the devotional service of the Lord is the life and soul of the living entity. It is the desired goal and supreme perfection of human life.
- My dear mother, Devahuti! O emblem of peace! My weapon, the disc of time, never vanquishes those for whom I (Kapil Deva) am very dear - for whom I am the Supersoul, son, friend, spiritual master, well-wisher, worshipable Deity and desired goal.
Universal Path for All Desires
The beauty of the Vedic injunctions is that they provide a unified solution for people with diverse desires. Whether one is full of material desires (sarva-kāma), seeking liberation (mokṣa-kāma), or is a pure devotee without material desire (akāma), the recommendation is identical: worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead to achieve success.
- It is recommended that the devotees (akama), the karmis (sarva-kama) and the jnanis, who desire to be liberated (moksa-kama), should all worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead to acquire their desired goals of life.
- Herein (SB 4.12.45) it is recommended by Maitreya that every one of them can hear the narration about Dhruva Maharaja and thus get their desired goal.
Assurance of the Process
Skeptics often doubt whether simple spiritual practices can lead to the absolute truth. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu has given assurance that the process of chanting and dancing is not a sentimental display but a scientific path that leads directly to the highest perfection.
- Don't think that this chanting and dancing will not lead you to the desired goal. It will because there is assurance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that you will get all perfection by this process.
- Those who are eager to awaken their spiritual consciousness and who thus have unflinching, undeviated intelligence certainly attain the desired goal of life very soon.
Troublesome Path of Impersonalism
While the personalist devotee swiftly attains the goal through love and devotion, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that those who attach themselves to the impersonal feature of the Absolute face an arduous journey. Without a personal relationship with the Divine, their pursuit is fraught with difficulties and often lacks the clarity of the ultimate destination.
- In the Bhagavad-gita (BG 12.5) it is said that those who are attached to the impersonal feature of the Absolute are liable to many troubles in the pursuit of their desired goal.
- Those who are imitating this yoga system in different so-called schools and societies, although complacent, are certainly wasting their time. They are completely in ignorance of the desired goal.
Conclusion
To achieve the Desired Goal of life, according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, is to understand one's eternal position in relation to Kṛṣṇa. While various paths of jñāna, yoga, and karma may offer partial results, they are ultimately stepping stones that must lead to the worship of the Supreme Person. By engaging in devotional service with unflinching intelligence, the living entity bypasses the pitfalls of impersonalism and material entanglement, arriving safely at the lotus feet of the Lord.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vāṇī
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Desired Goal. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.