Kṛṣṇa Consciousness is the Highest Perfection of Life
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically declares that the human form of life is a rare and precious opportunity that should not be squandered on the animalistic pursuits of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Instead of chasing temporary material illusions, intelligent human beings must dedicate their energy to reviving their dormant love for God. By engaging in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, anyone can effortlessly achieve the highest perfection of life: eternal freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
The Illusion of Material Perfection
Modern society mistakenly believes that increasing artificial needs and accumulating wealth equate to a perfect life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that trying to satisfy the material body is a path of darkness and ignorance, and true perfection only begins when one ceases to endeavor for mundane sense gratification.
- Economic development means to get more money and to satisfy senses more and more. This is the modern theory. But Krsna says that to achieve the perfection of life, one should be nirasih. Nirasih means unnecessarily desiring for sense gratification.
- For the people in general the highest perfection of life is to cease from material activities and be fixed on the path of self-realization.
- Darkness means "I am this body, and to fulfill the necessities of the body is the highest perfection of my life."
Realizing Our Eternal Relationship
The absolute foundation of a perfect life is understanding who we are and who God is. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that every living entity is an eternal servant of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and true perfection is achieved the moment we align our consciousness with this constitutional relationship by engaging in devotional service.
- According to Vedic civilization, the progressive march towards perfection of life is to realize one's relationship with Krsna, or God.
- Every living entity is an eternal servant of the Lord; when one engages in the service of the Lord, he realizes the highest perfection of life.
- Each and every living creature has a particular relationship with God, but we have, for now, forgotten. When that relationship is revealed in the process of devotional activities, or Krsna consciousness, you will know that that is the perfection of your life.
- Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate. Because Krsna is the proprietor of the senses - He is the proprietor of this body - so when this body will be utilized for Krsna's service, that is our perfection of life.
The Universal Path of Surrender
The beauty of the bhakti process is its universal accessibility. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that achieving the highest perfection does not depend on vast education, high birth, or previous pious acts; it simply requires sincere surrender to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the chanting of His holy names.
- Anyone who takes up Krsna consciousness achieves the highest perfection of life, regardless of whatever abominable condition of life he may have fallen into.
- Any person, whatsoever and whosoever he or she may be - even the fallen woman, the less intelligent laborer, the dull mercantile man, or even a man lower than all these - can attain the highest perfection of life by going back home, back to Godhead.
- It is best for such persons (the less intelligent) not to aspire for success in fruitive activities or mental speculation but instead simply to surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The perfection of life is simply to surrender to the Supreme.
Returning Home, Back to Godhead
The ultimate test and reward of a perfected life manifest at the moment of death. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that by remembering the Supreme Lord at life's end, the pure devotee completely bypasses the miseries of material reincarnation and is transferred directly to the spiritual sky.
- Ante narayana-smrtih (SB 2.1.6). That is the perfection of life. Ante, at the time of death, if you remember Krsna, then your life is successful. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya.
- After giving up this material body he (the living entity) does not accept material body, but he has got already spiritual body. That remains, and that works, and that is transferred to the spiritual world. That is the highest perfection of life.
- Transfer to the spiritual world is the highest perfection of life. In other words, the devotee achieves his constitutional position of immortality and thus becomes completely peaceful.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda unequivocally establishes that the highest perfection of life is exclusively found in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. While the ignorant masses chase the fleeting shadows of material economic development and bodily comforts, the truly intelligent soul understands that this world is a place of misery and temporary designations. Genuine perfection means awakening to our eternal identity as loving servants of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and utilizing our given senses solely for His satisfaction. Wonderfully, this supreme goal is available to everyone, regardless of their past background or material qualifications; simple, unalloyed surrender is the only requirement. By dedicating one's life to the Lord's service and remembering Him at the final moment, the perfected soul shatters the bonds of material nature and achieves the ultimate victory: returning back home, back to Godhead, to enjoy an eternal life of bliss and knowledge.
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 Perfection of Life. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.