View source for Achieving God through Unalloyed Devotional Service

Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that the ultimate goal of human life is to re-establish one's eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. While the material world offers various forms of temporary happiness and distress, the perfection of existence lies in surpassing these dualities to achieve the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet. This article explores the specific qualifications, methods, and attitudes required to attain this supreme destination as revealed in the Vedic scriptures.

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=== Supreme Goal of Human Life ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the purpose of all austerities, sacrifices, and culture of knowledge is ultimately to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He explains that mere liberation or material opulence is insignificant compared to the achievement of entering the kingdom of God and engaging in His personal service.

* [[Vaniquotes:All austerities are aimed at achieving Narayana. Culture of transcendental knowledge is for getting a glimpse of Narayana, and ultimately salvation is entering the kingdom of Narayana|All austerities are aimed at achieving Narayana. Culture of transcendental knowledge is for getting a glimpse of Narayana, and ultimately salvation is entering the kingdom of Narayana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Advancement in Krsna consciousness is very powerful, and therefore even during this life such a devotee has achieved the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. This transcendental ecstatic existence of a devotee was completely exhibited by Sri Caitanya|Advancement in Krsna consciousness is very powerful, and therefore even during this life such a devotee has achieved the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. This transcendental ecstatic existence of a devotee was completely exhibited by Sri Caitanya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The achievement of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the most exalted achievement in life|The achievement of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the most exalted achievement in life.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) said, prema pumartho mahan: to achieve love of Godhead is the highest perfection of life|He (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) said, prema pumartho mahan: to achieve love of Godhead is the highest perfection of life.]]

=== Devotional Service as the Only Means ===
In his purports, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that mental speculation, mystic ''yoga'', and ritualistic performances are insufficient for capturing the Absolute Truth. He asserts that the Supreme Lord reserves the right to be known and achieved only through the process of unalloyed devotional service, or ''bhakti-yoga''.

* [[Vaniquotes:Devotional service is the only path by which one can achieve the Supreme Person. This is the only perfection accepted by all Vedic literature|Devotional service is the only path by which one can achieve the Supreme Person. This is the only perfection accepted by all Vedic literature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Lord says: All these processes - the yoga process, the sankhya process, the ritualistic process, or studying the Vedas or undergoing severe type of penance and austerities - combined together or individually, they are not suitable for achieving Me|Lord says: All these processes - the yoga process, the sankhya process, the ritualistic process, or studying the Vedas or undergoing severe type of penance and austerities - combined together or individually, they are not suitable for achieving Me.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Supreme Truth is so great that it is not possible to understand Him or to achieve Him simply by making a mental effort. BG 1972 purports|The Supreme Truth is so great that it is not possible to understand Him or to achieve Him simply by making a mental effort.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Actually, ecstatic samadhi, or absorption in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be achieved by constant engagement in His service|Actually, ecstatic samadhi, or absorption in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be achieved by constant engagement in His service.]]

=== Qualifications for Success ===
Achieving the favor of the Supreme Lord requires specific inner qualifications, primarily sincerity and eagerness. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the instructions of the ''Gosvāmīs'' to establish that the price for spiritual perfection is not material wealth or prestigious positions, but an intense greed to obtain Kṛṣṇa's service.

* [[Vaniquotes:Rupa Gosvami has also said that the price for achieving God's favor is simply one's sincere eagerness to have it - laulyam ekam mulyam|Rupa Gosvami has also said that the price for achieving God's favor is simply one's sincere eagerness to have it - laulyam ekam mulyam.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the beginning one must accept a bona fide spiritual master, and if a devotee follows strictly the direction of the spiritual master, as Dhruva followed the instruction of Narada Muni, then it is not difficult for him to achieve the favor of the Lord|In the beginning one must accept a bona fide spiritual master, and if a devotee follows strictly the direction of the spiritual master, as Dhruva followed the instruction of Narada Muni, then it is not difficult for him to achieve the favor of the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Prestigious position, material wealth, beauty, education and so on, but although these are certainly good qualifications in material dealings, they are not necessary for achieving friendship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead|Prestigious position, material wealth, beauty, education and so on, but although these are certainly good qualifications in material dealings, they are not necessary for achieving friendship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Indeed, unless one is completely truthful, one cannot achieve Your (Visnu's) favor, which therefore cannot be achieved by hypocrites - SB 10.2.26|Indeed, unless one is completely truthful, one cannot achieve Your (Visnu's) favor, which therefore cannot be achieved by hypocrites - SB 10.2.26.]]

=== Perfection of Chanting ===
The process of ''sankīrtana'', or chanting the holy names of the Lord, is identified by Śrīla Prabhupāda as the most effective means of achieving God in the current age. He describes the chanting as a cry for spiritual shelter, which naturally evokes the Lord's compassion and reveals His presence to the devotee.

* [[Vaniquotes:This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother's presence. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the Lord Father's grace, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this mantra sincerely|This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother's presence. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the Lord Father's grace, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this mantra sincerely.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The same goal (satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead) could be achieved in Dvapara-yuga by worship of the Lord in the temple, and in this age of Kali one can achieve the same goal by performing sankirtana-yajna|The same goal (satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead) could be achieved in Dvapara-yuga by worship of the Lord in the temple, and in this age of Kali one can achieve the same goal by performing sankirtana-yajna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The sum total of devotional qualities is development of unalloyed love for Krsna. This unalloyed love for Krsna can be achieved simply by hearing about Krsna|The sum total of devotional qualities is development of unalloyed love for Krsna. This unalloyed love for Krsna can be achieved simply by hearing about Krsna.]]

=== Conclusion ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that while the path to the Supreme may appear difficult, it is made accessible through the process of devotional service. By rejecting material attachments and impersonal conceptions, and by sincerely taking shelter of the ''bhakti'' process—especially chanting and hearing—any living entity can achieve the highest perfection. The ultimate success is not merely liberation, but the attainment of a personal, loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa, where the devotee is fully satisfied and desires nothing else.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:Achieving_God|Achieving God]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form. 

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