The Secret of Success - Becoming Successful by Satisfying the Supreme
Human society is often preoccupied with making plans for economic development or political stability, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that many of these endeavors never reach fulfillment. He teaches that to truly become successful, one must look beyond material results and aim for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. This article explores the various dimensions of spiritual success—ranging from the engagement of personal talents to the absolute necessity of following the spiritual master—and how this success leads to the ultimate destination: the spiritual kingdom of Vaikuṇṭha.
Definition and Test of Success
Real success is not measured by the accumulation of wealth or scientific degrees, but by the pleasure of the Divine. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the standard for whether one has become successful in their duty, whether as a brahmana or a ksatriya, is hari-toṣaṇam—the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As soon as a person cleanses their heart and realizes that their duty is to serve Kṛṣṇa, their life in this human form becomes successful. This shift in consciousness makes everything else in life easy and auspicious.
- Brahmanas or ksatriya, you can do your duty, but there should be a test whether you have become successful in discharging your duty. That test is hari-tosanam, whether you have satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- As soon as one is cleansed of the dirty things in the heart, then he can understand that, I am part and parcel of Krsna. My duty is to serve Krsna. So let me be engaged in His service and become successful in this human form of life.
- Nobody can become successful unless he satisfies Krsna. That is real success.
- As soon as one places the Supreme Personality of Godhead within one's heart, everything becomes easy and successful.
Engaging Talents in Kṛṣṇa’s Service
Becoming successful does not require giving up one's natural tendencies or professional skills. Instead, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that whatever a person knows, they should apply it to Kṛṣṇa's service. For example, a musician can make their life successful by playing the guitar for Kṛṣṇa-kīrtana, and a businessman can become successful by using his selling ability to support the mission. When the individual’s energy is employed under the expert direction of a spiritual master, the most mundane activity is transformed into a successful spiritual endeavor.
- My Guru Maharaja explained that you haven't got to learn anything extra for Krsna's service. Whatever you know, you just apply it... Then you become successful.
- I am so glad you are playing music for Krishna. It is a great service of your talent. Anyone's special talent should be engaged in the service of the Lord, and thereby becomes successful in his life.
- If a person is employed according to his natural tendency, he becomes successful. He becomes successful. But if you give some employment, just like to put a cart before a horse, like that, no, that will not be successful.
- I am very much pleased to read about Gargamuni's successful store in S.F. Yes, he is using his good selling ability to serve Krishna, and Krishna is pleased with him so He is giving him all aid to become successful.
Path of Sincerity and Guidance
A primary secret to becoming successful is the firm conviction and enthusiasm to follow the instructions of the spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even if one is not a scholar or cannot pronounce Sanskrit correctly, they can become successful simply by following the ācāryas. The path of devotional service is so potent that even a five-year-old child can be trained to reach the highest platform of realization. By maintaining a high standard of spiritual practice and remaining attentive to preaching work, everything else in life becomes automatically successful.
- If one is able to be guided by a proper and bona fide spiritual master, who can lead one to the path of elevation, to the higher stage, then one's life becomes successful.
- Any five-year-old child can be trained, and within a very short time his life will become successful by realization of Krsna consciousness.
- His (a person's who had become so successful) spiritual activities did not depend on material things such as correct pronunciation. Rather, his success depended on strictly following the instructions of his spiritual master.
- If this standard of devotional practices is maintained at the highest level, everything else you do will become automatically successful. And that will please me very much.
Conclusion
To become successful in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the greatest boon possible for a living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that we should not lose even a single moment in our determination to achieve this goal. By surrendering to the Lord and reposing our dormant love in Him, we transcend the wanderings of the material world and enter the eternal kingdom of Vaikuṇṭha. Even if we encounter apparent setbacks, the force of our devotional intent ensures that we move toward the platform of loving service, ultimately making our human birth a complete success.
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 Successful. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.