The Aim of Life - To Satisfy the Supreme Lord
The fundamental defect of modern civilization, according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, is a lack of direction. While people are busy working hard for economic development and sense gratification, they are largely unaware of the ultimate objective of their endeavours. Vedic wisdom reveals that the aim of life is not temporary enjoyment, but the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu.
The Lost Compass
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently laments that modern society is like a ship without a rudder. People do not know the aim of life. Whether they are scientists, philosophers, or politicians, most are guided by the animalistic propensities of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. He describes such a society as "blind leaders leading the blind," where everyone falls into the ditch of material suffering.
- Ask anybody, very learned scholar, scientist, philosopher, or medical man, engineer, lawyer, that "What is the aim of life?" Nobody knows. They think aim of life - eat, drink, be merry and enjoy, that's all. This is aim of life.
- The whole Western civilization, they do not know what is the aim of life. Naturally the aim of life becomes like animals - eat, drink, have sex and defend. That's all. That is the Western civilization.
- People are kept into ignorance without knowing the aim of life, how we are suffering in this materialistic way of life. They are so dull-brained that Krsna says personally that here the real problem is janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi duhkha-dosanudarsanam.
Satisfying Viṣṇu
The Vedic scriptures provide the missing direction. The verse na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum (SB 7.5.31) states that self-interest lies in approaching Lord Viṣṇu. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when the aim of life shifts from self-satisfaction to the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, the human being finds true happiness and peace.
- Ultimate goal of life is to please Lord Visnu, the Supreme Lord. The uncivilized man or materialistic person, however, does not know this aim of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum-SB 7.5.31. One's real self-interest lies in satisfying Lord Visnu.
- At least at the present moment, nobody knows that he has to satisfy the Supreme Lord. That is the aim of life. He does not know. He does not know even what is God. They are making research what is God, the theosophists, the theologists, making research.
- The whole aim of life is to achieve the favor of Visnu. Om tad visnoh paramam padam. That is the Rg-Veda mantra. To reach Visnu.
Tattva-jijñāsā: Inquiry into Truth
While animals are concerned with the necessities of the body, human life is meant for "tattva-jijñāsā"—inquiry into the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that economic development is not the end goal; it is merely a means to keep the body and soul together so that one can inquire into the nature of the self and God.
- This is very important verse for understanding the aim of life. Jivasya tattva-jijnasa. Not that simply economic development for sense gratification. Tattva-jijnasa. What is the value of life? That is the main business.
- Hogs and dogs, they are always busy. So this human form of life is not meant for that purpose. Jivasya tattva-jijnasa. Earn money, Be comfortable, but utilize time - tattva-jijnasa, athato brahma jijnasa. That is your aim of life.
- Real purpose of life is not dharma, artha, kama, moksa. And that will be explained here, jivasya tattva-jijnasa: What is the Absolute Truth, what is the aim of life. Then this is the process. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya.
Back to Godhead
The ultimate conclusion of all inquiry and service is to return to the spiritual world. Śrīla Prabhupāda encapsulates the aim of life in the phrase "Back to Home, Back to Godhead." He warns that without this aim, one risks sliding back into the cycle of birth and death, potentially even into lower species.
- We have to understand that what is the aim of life. Aim of life is go back to home, back to Godhead. Unless we understand this, our life is in darkness.
- Human life is the opportunity for understanding what one is and what the aim of one's life is. The aim of life is to go back home, back to Godhead.
- Thus there is no use in endeavoring to travel up and down in the universe. It is better to chant the holy name so that one may become fully purified and eligible to return home, back to Godhead. That is the aim of life, and that is the perfection of life.
Conclusion
A life without a spiritual aim is a wasted opportunity. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges humanity to wake up from the slumber of ignorance and utilize the rare human form for its intended purpose. By understanding that we are not the body but eternal servants of Kṛṣṇa, and by directing our activities toward His satisfaction, we fulfill the true aim of life and attain eternal freedom.
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 Aim of Life. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.