That Is Required - Essentials for a Perfect Life
What is actually necessary for a human being? Modern society creates endless artificial needs, but Śrīla Prabhupāda cuts through this complexity with the phrase "that is required." This phrase points to the fundamental elements—philosophical, social, and spiritual—that are indispensable for a sane society and a liberated life. From the basic inquiry into the self to the final test at death, the requirements of Kṛṣṇa consciousness are clear and practical.
The Prerogative of Human Life
The first requirement of human life is rationality. An animal acts on instinct—eating, sleeping, mating, and defending—without questioning its existence. A human being, however, must inquire. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the analysis of a man is perfect only when he searches for his constitutional position. We must ask, "Why am I being punished by material nature?" This inquisitiveness, known as brahma-jijñāsā, is the special prerogative of the human form.
- A human being is called rational animal. If you come to the rationality, that is required. If you remain also another animal, another type of animal, that will not help you. You have to become actually human being.
- The analysis of man is perfect when he is searching after his constitutional position, "What I am? Am I this body? Why I have come to this world?" This inquisitiveness required. That is the special prerogative of human being.
- We can enquire that "Why I am being punished?" That is required. That "why" philosophy is very important. That is the beginning of human life.
Spiritual Qualifications
Contrary to popular belief, one does not need to be a great scholar or linguist to understand God. What is required is sincerity and faith. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that even an illiterate person can be perfectly Kṛṣṇa conscious if they simply accept the fact that they are the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. The process is not to kill desire—which is impossible because the soul is living—but to purify desire. When one desires only to serve Kṛṣṇa, that is the required qualification.
- Actually one can be perfectly Krishna-Conscious without being literate. Education is not necessary. Simply it is required to accept the fact, that we are the eternal servants of Krishna, and engage in some tangible service.
- When we become transcendental to the bodily concept of life, then we come to the spiritual platform. In that platform the only one desire is how to serve Krsna. That is required: not to become desireless, but to purify the desire. That is bhakti.
- First of all faith is required. Without faith, therefore, faithlessness is no, I mean to say, position of making further progress. Little faith must be there. That faith must be increased by further advancement.
Social Order and Regulation
For society to function peacefully, there must be a structure. Śrīla Prabhupāda argues that a class of intelligent men (brāhmaṇas) and a class of administrators (kṣatriyas) are required. Without this division, society produces only śūdras and chaos ensues. Within this structure, life should be simple—"plain living and high thinking." Regulation of the senses is also essential; one need not be impotent, but one must control sex life, using it only when required for progeny.
- If you want to maintain peace and prosperity of the worldly social order, you must create a class of men very intelligent, a class of men very expert in administration, a class of men very expert in production and a class of men to work. That is required.
- You can have sex life when it is required. To become impotent is not required. You should be fully potent but not misuse it. That is required.
- Plain living, high thinking, that is required. It is not necessary that unnecessarily we increase objectives of sense gratification and be entangled. Minimize it and live peacefully, chant Hare Krsna.
The Duty to Preach
A devotee cannot remain passive. It is required to actively spread the message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This involves facing opposing arguments with logic and philosophy, and also writing one's own realizations. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his disciples that "realization means you should write," urging them to express their understanding of Kṛṣṇa for the benefit of others.
- Realization means you should write, every one of you, what is your realization. What for this BTG is? You write your realization, what you have realized about Krsna. That is required. It is not passive. Always you should be active.
- There will be so many questions, so many opposing elements. You have to face them by your arguments, by your knowledge. This is required.
- Anyone questions, you can answer. That is required, preaching. Just like this girl, "Why you are recommending your Bhagavad-gita?" Answer must be there, - Because this is. They are all rascals. They are not speaking Bhagavad-gita as it is.
The Final Requirement
All the regulations, inquiries, and activities of life are meant to lead to one moment: the moment of death. The ultimate success of human life is to remember the Supreme Lord when leaving the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds us that nature is not merciful; if a child touches fire, it burns. Similarly, we must be trained so that at the critical moment, our mind is fixed on Kṛṣṇa.
Conclusion
The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a sentimental journey but a scientific process with specific requirements. Just as one must follow the laws of the state to remain a free citizen, one must follow the laws of God—including rationality, regulated living, and active service—to attain liberation. By fulfilling these requirements, the living entity moves from the animal platform to the human platform, and finally to the divine platform 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 That Is Required. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.