Elevated to the Spiritual Platform - Transcending the Bodily Concept
The goal of human life is to solve the problem of suffering by shifting one's consciousness from matter to spirit. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that true human civilization, guided by authorized spiritual masters and the process of bhakti-yoga, is specifically designed to elevate the conditioned soul from material anxiety to eternal transcendental bliss.
Transcending Material Anxiety
The symptom of material existence is constant fear and worry, whereas the symptom of spiritual life is unshakeable joy. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that as long as we identify with the temporary physical body, we will suffer, but once elevated to the spiritual platform, we become prasannātmā—completely joyful and free from mundane necessities.
- So long we are materially engrossed, bodily concept of life, there will be always anxiety. This is the test. Anyone who is in anxiety, means he is materially situated. And anyone who is elevated to the spiritual platform, he is prasannatma. He is jolly.
- As long as one remains in the bodily concept of life, he may act according to the duties of social convention, but if one is elevated to the spiritual platform, he must simply serve the Supreme Lord; that is the real execution of sva-dharma.
- When one is elevated to the spiritual platform, there are no more bodily necessities (namely eating, sleeping, mating and defending), and in activities pertaining to the bodily necessities there are no spiritual considerations.
- Then at the time of death the mind, (when elevated to the spiritual platform) intelligence and ego will no longer be materially contaminated. The living entity is present, and the mind, intelligence and ego are also present.
The Purpose of Varṇāśrama-dharma
The Vedic social structure was not created for economic exploitation, but for spiritual emancipation. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the institution of varṇāśrama-dharma serves as an educational system, ensuring that all classes of citizens are gradually trained and elevated to the spiritual platform.
- According to Vedic system, unless the human society comes to the institution of varnasrama-dharma, they are not to be accepted as human society. The system, the whole system was to gradually educate people to be elevated to the spiritual platform.
- The effect of adhering to the institution of varnasrama is gradual elevation to the spiritual platform and liberation from material bondage.
- The brahmacaris must perform sacrifices, the grhasthas must give in charity, and those in the renounced order of life (the vanaprasthas and sannyasis) must practice penance and austerities. These are the procedures to be elevated to the spiritual platform.
- The duty of the government, therefore, is to take charge of training all the citizens in such a way that by a gradual process they will be elevated to the spiritual platform and will realize the self and his relationship with God.
The Necessity of Spiritual Guidance
Breaking free from the powerful grip of material energy is impossible through independent endeavor. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one must take shelter of a liberated spiritual master and constantly associate with advanced devotees to successfully rise above worldly attachments.
- Real knowledge means understanding the miserable condition of material life. One should take shelter of a liberated soul, the spiritual master, and gradually elevate himself to the spiritual platform and thus become detached from the material world.
- One cannot give up this abominable association (with women and sex literature) through one's own effort, but if one takes shelter of a bona fide spiritual master who is a paramahamsa, he will gradually be elevated to the platform of spiritual life.
- Association with great personalities, devotees who are great souls, will elevate one to the spiritual platform.
- A devotee should associate with fellow devotees, and in relationship to others the devotee should try to elevate them also onto the spiritual platform. So please follow this principle.
The Immediate Power of Bhakti-yoga
While other processes require lifetimes of gradual purification, devotional service offers an immediate solution. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that by engaging in unalloyed bhakti-yoga and chanting the holy names, a person instantly transcends the material modes and attains the highest spiritual perfection.
- Everyone can be elevated to the spiritual platform by the process of bhakti-yoga.
- One who always engages in the spiritual activities of unalloyed devotional service at once transcends the modes of material nature and is elevated to the spiritual platform.
- What one should do is chant the Holy Name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm, and firm conviction on the statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the Maha Mantra one can be gradually elevated to the highest platform of spiritual perfection.
- The kama-gayatri is not uttered under certain circumstances. In any case, the chanting of Hare Krsna is sufficient to elevate one to the highest spiritual platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly defines the trajectory of a successful human life: the progressive elevation from the miserable, anxiety-ridden bodily concept of life to the blissful, eternal spiritual platform. While the highly systematic Vedic institution of varṇāśrama-dharma was explicitly designed by the Lord to gradually educate and elevate human society, the modern age presents immense obstacles to this gradual path. Therefore, the absolute necessity of the present day is to take full shelter of a bona fide, paramahaṁsa spiritual master and engage in the association of pure devotees. By abandoning independent, mundane efforts and wholeheartedly embracing the supreme process of bhakti-yoga—specifically the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra—any person, regardless of their current material conditioning, can immediately transcend the modes of nature. This direct path of unalloyed devotional service flawlessly elevates the sincere practitioner to the highest platform of spiritual realization, ensuring their permanent release from the cycle of material bondage.
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 Elevated to the Spiritual Platform. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.