Develop Consciousness - From Animal Life to God Realization
The difference between a genius and a lower animal is not the presence of the soul, but the degree to which the soul's awareness is uncovered. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Vedic definition of evolution is the gradual development of consciousness, culminating in the human being's unique ability to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The True Meaning of Evolution
Modern science mistakenly focuses on the transformation of the physical body. Śrīla Prabhupāda corrects this by defining true evolution as the progressive awakening of the spirit soul's consciousness as it transmigrates from dormant states in lower species up to the active intelligence of human life.
- Evolution means developed consciousness, and according to the developed consciousness, one gets a particular type of body. This is nature's law.
- Since the living entities are never annihilated, they simply transmigrate from one life form to another. Thus there is an evolution of forms according to the degree of developed consciousness.
- There is no evolution. Evolution is there in the matter of consciousness. Just like a child: his consciousness is not developed. A child goes to capture a fire because his consciousness is not developed.
- Trees, grass, plants, stones, etc., do not move because they do not have sufficiently developed consciousness. Their consciousness is there, but is covered.
The Human Opportunity
After millions of births in lower species, the soul is granted the human form. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this specific body is a rare and precious gift, equipped with the highly developed consciousness required to inquire into the Absolute Truth and solve the problems of material suffering.
- This human form of life is given to us as an opportunity to understand our position because in the human form of life we have more developed consciousness than the lower forms of life like the aquatics, insects, plants, birds, beasts.
- In the human form of life, however, consciousness is more greatly developed, and consequently the human being has a chance to understand his relationship with God.
- One who has sufficiently developed consciousness, who is intelligent, inquires why he is suffering. "I do not want miseries. Why am I suffering?" When this question arises, there is chance for becoming Krsna conscious.
- Human intelligence is there to enquire about the Absolute Truth. So they have got better developed consciousness or intelligence than the lower animals. So that higher intelligence should be utilized for enquiring about the Absolute Truth.
The Misuse of Intelligence
Having achieved the pinnacle of material evolution, human beings face a critical choice. Śrīla Prabhupāda severely criticizes modern society for misusing its advanced intelligence to simply refine the animalistic pursuits of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, a philosophy he identifies as hedonism.
- Their developed consciousness is being used for sense gratification. That's all. They have taken up, sense gratification is the highest aim of life. Hedonism.
- Everyone has got the facilities for sense enjoyment. Why not human being? Human being is developed consciousness; he has got better facilities. But the human being's business is not to indulge in sense gratification.
- The developed consciousness of the human being should be utilized not in the animal propensities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending but in searching out the valuable path which will help him get that life of eternity.
- As the cats and dogs, do not understand what is the future of life, similarly, if human beings, getting this opportunity of very intelligent, developed consciousness, do not understand what is the goal of life, future of life, then he remains a cat and dog.
Developing God Consciousness
To prevent a devastating fall back into the animal kingdom, the human being must actively cultivate spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the process of associating with pure devotees and studying the Vedic scriptures systematically develops one's dormant love for God.
- Bhakti-lata-bija. It is a seed of developing your original consciousness. Just like in the seed there is potency, in a small seed, mustardlike, but if you sow it, in due course of times it comes out a big banyan tree.
- Hearing and chanting waters the seed of devotional service, which develops one's original consciousness.
- The devotee who makes this association (association with devotees) develops the consciousness for rendering service to the Lord, and then, being situated in the transcendental position of devotional service, he gradually becomes perfect.
- Try to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is. Try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam. These two books will give you sufficient knowledge, and we should take advantage of it, because our consciousness is developed.
The Perfection of Human Life
The ultimate test of any educational, social, or religious system is its final result. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the absolute perfection of the human form is to fully develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness, thereby qualifying the soul to exit the material world and return to the eternal spiritual sky.
- The perfectional platform is stated here, that "You may execute your different occupational duties, dharma, but the test will be whether you have developed your consciousness, you have developed your Krsna consciousness." That is the test.
- You follow any kind of religion, that doesn't matter. But the test will be how much you have developed God consciousness or Krsna consciousness. That is the test. If that is lacking, then you have simply wasted your time.
- If, after executing your duties very properly, if you do not develop your consciousness to know about yourself or the Supreme Self, then whatever you have done, it is simply waste of time. That's all.
- A person in human society who has developed consciousness must take to Krsna consciousness in order to be promoted to Vaikunthaloka or Krsnaloka immediately after leaving the body.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda completely redefines the scientific understanding of evolution. True evolution is not a mechanical shift in physical biology, but the magnificent journey of the eternal spirit soul as it gradually develops its consciousness through millions of material bodies. Upon finally reaching the human form, the soul possesses the unique, highly developed intelligence necessary to stop the cycle of birth and death. However, this great boon comes with immense responsibility. If a human being uses their advanced intellect merely to invent more elaborate methods of eating, sleeping, and mating, they squander the opportunity of a lifetime and risk falling back into the animal kingdom. The true purpose of human life is to actively develop God consciousness. By associating with pure devotees, studying the Bhagavad-gītā, and engaging in the process of bhakti-yoga, the conditioned soul can fully awaken their dormant love for the Supreme Lord. This complete development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the absolute zenith of evolutionary progress, granting the soul eternal freedom in the spiritual world.
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 Develop Consciousness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.