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The defining characteristic of material life is the intense desire to be the master. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this propensity is the root cause of all conflict and suffering in the world. Whether it is a dog barking to assert its dominance or a nation waging war for supremacy, the underlying motivation is the same: "I am the controller." This ambition is diametrically opposed to the soul's true nature, which is eternal service. The struggle to maintain this false position of mastership constitutes the "struggle for existence."

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=== Struggle for Dominance ===

In the material world, no one wants to be a servant; everyone wants to be the boss. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that this competition exists at every level of society. Individuals compete for wealth, families compete for status, and nations compete for global power. Even in the animal kingdom, this struggle is evident. This relentless drive to predominate creates a chaotic environment where peace is impossible because everyone is fighting for the same post—the post of the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone is trying to become the master. Nobody is trying to become a servant. Ask anyone that "Why you are working so hard?" - No, I shall get so much money, I shall become very wealthy|Everyone is trying to become the master. Nobody is trying to become a servant. Ask anyone that "Why you are working so hard?" - No, I shall get so much money, I shall become very wealthy.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone, individual to individual, nation to nation, society to society, religion to religion, so-called religion - everyone is trying to become the master|Everyone, individual to individual, nation to nation, society to society, religion to religion, so-called religion - everyone is trying to become the master.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone is trying to become master. Even in the cats' and dogs' society you will find one dog is trying to predominate by barking that "I am better than you." So this is called struggle for existence|Everyone is trying to become master. Even in the cats' and dogs' society you will find one dog is trying to predominate by barking that "I am better than you." So this is called struggle for existence.]]

=== Constitutional Mismatch ===

The tragedy of this endeavor is that it is doomed to fail. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the living entity is constitutionally ''prakṛti'' (female/controlled), not ''puruṣa'' (male/controller). We are designed to be enjoyed and controlled by the Supreme Lord. When the soul tries to imitate the position of the master, it is like a woman artificially trying to become a man—an unnatural and frustrating attempt. We are not masters; we are servants. Trying to be what we are not is the source of our misery.

* [[Vaniquotes:Never try to become the purusa or the master. That is very dangerous. Always remain prakrti. Prakrti means to be controlled or controlled, and purusa means the controller|Never try to become the purusa or the master. That is very dangerous. Always remain prakrti. Prakrti means to be controlled or controlled, and purusa means the controller.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We are not master; still, we are trying to become master. The Mayavada philosophy, they also undergo severe type of austerities, penances, but what is the idea? The idea is that "I shall become one with God." Same mistake|We are not master; still, we are trying to become master. The Mayavada philosophy, they also undergo severe type of austerities, penances, but what is the idea? The idea is that "I shall become one with God." Same mistake.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We are trying for something which we are not. We know this word, "struggle for existence," "survival of the fittest." So this is struggle. We are not master; still, we are trying to become master|We are trying for something which we are not. We know this word, "struggle for existence," "survival of the fittest." So this is struggle. We are not master; still, we are trying to become master.]]

=== Forced Servitude ===

Ironically, in the attempt to become masters, living entities become slaves. By refusing to serve Kṛṣṇa, they are forced to serve their own senses, greed, anger, and lust. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that while people claim to be independent masters, they are actually dancing like puppets under the control of the modes of material nature. There is no escape from service; the only choice is whether to serve the benevolent Lord or the dictatorial senses.

* [[Vaniquotes:This is the material world. Everyone is trying to become master through various devices, although everyone is servant of his senses|This is the material world. Everyone is trying to become master through various devices, although everyone is servant of his senses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unfortunately we are trying to become master. Instead of submitting ourself to become the eternal.... We are eternal servant. We cannot be master. If we do not become servant of Krsna, then we have to become the servant of our senses|Unfortunately we are trying to become master. Instead of submitting ourself to become the eternal.... We are eternal servant. We cannot be master. If we do not become servant of Krsna, then we have to become the servant of our senses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Here everyone is trying to become master, and everyone wants to avoid service. But by the nature's law, one has to become servant and render service, going on|Here everyone is trying to become master, and everyone wants to avoid service. But by the nature's law, one has to become servant and render service, going on.]]

=== Culture of "Prabhu" ===

To reverse this diseased mentality, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement introduces the culture of addressing others as "Prabhu," which means "master." Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this is not just a social etiquette but a spiritual practice. By verbally and mentally placing oneself in the position of a servant to other devotees, one gradually cures the disease of false prestige. The goal is to realize that "I am servant," not "I am master."

* [[Vaniquotes:We teach our men to address his fellow man as prabhu, "You are master, I am servant." In the material world, everyone is trying to become master; nobody is trying to become servant|We teach our men to address his fellow man as prabhu, "You are master, I am servant." In the material world, everyone is trying to become master; nobody is trying to become servant.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We teach to address amongst the devotees, "Prabhu," "Prabhu," "Such and such Prabhu." This should not be simply spoken by the lips; it should be realized. Everyone should think other devotee as his prabhu, master, not he should try to become master|We teach to address amongst the devotees, "Prabhu," "Prabhu," "Such and such Prabhu." This should not be simply spoken by the lips; it should be realized. Everyone should think other devotee as his prabhu, master, not he should try to become master.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The attempt to become the master is the cause of our fall from the spiritual world. Even great personalities like Lord Brahmā are here because of a trace of this desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that success in life lies not in domination but in submission. By giving up the false struggle for mastership and happily accepting the position of Kṛṣṇa's servant, one finds true peace and returns to their original, eternal home.

=== 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:Everyone_is_Trying_to_Become_the_Master|Everyone is Trying to Become the Master]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - The Three Modes of Material Nature (Guṇas)]] 
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - False Ego and Material Identification]]

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