Never Be Successful - Useless Hope of Material Advancement
The fundamental mistake of modern civilization is the belief that humanity can solve its problems independent of the Supreme Lord. As explained extensively by Śrīla Prabhupāda, any endeavor to conquer material nature through scientific or economic means is a useless hope. Real success in life is only achieved by abandoning these illusory plans and surrendering to the divine will of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The Useless Hope of Material Advancement
The material world is designed to be a place of misery, yet conditioned souls constantly try to make it comfortable through various adjustments. They place their faith in economic development and scientific discoveries, hoping these will eventually eradicate suffering. However, this expectation is described as durāśayā, or a hope that will never be successful, because material methods cannot overcome the stringent laws of nature.
- Durasaya means the hope which will never be successful. So these rascals, they are trying to be happy by so-called scientific advancement. That is durasaya. Not possible. Hopeless.
- The entire world is under the illusion that people will be happy by advancing in materialistic measures to counteract the miseries of conditional life, but this attempt will never be successful.
- This material world is miserable, regardless of one's standard of life. Of this there is no doubt. Attempts to mitigate the miseries of material existence by material methods will never be successful.
- Such (false plan) economic development is never successful because it is illusory.
The Futility of Godless Philanthropy
Modern society places great emphasis on altruism, community service, and humanitarian work to alleviate the suffering of the poor. While these intentions may seem noble, they completely miss the actual root of all existence, which is God. If the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not placed at the center of such philanthropic activities, the endeavor becomes a fruitless waste of time and will never achieve lasting peace or prosperity.
- Everyone is working, daridra-narayana seva or this community seva, the country seva, nationally seva, this seva, that seva ... Nobody is for Krsna seva. Nobody will be happy, sir. Go on with your so-called seva. It will never be successful.
- Modern society is involved in various types of philanthropic works, humanitarian works and so on, but people do not know that these activities will never be successful unless Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is brought in.
- One who does not know the root, however he might be working very diligently for the poor humanity or community or society, they will never be successful to gain the result, peace and prosperity. They are forgetting the root. And root is God.
The Illusion of False Mastery
The living entity is constitutionally an eternal servant, but under the influence of illusion, one tries to become the master of their environment. This rebellious attitude leads people to create endless plans for sense gratification and independence. Because this desire artificially goes against the soul's true nature, it places the individual in an unnatural struggle for existence where true satisfaction is impossible to find.
- You are not master, you are servant. Cultivate this knowledge. Don't try to become a master, falsely. That will never be successful. Remain servant of Krsna, you'll be happy.
- This plan-making business is māyā, because that will never be successful. Trace out the history of the whole world. Nobody has become happy.
- If a land animal is placed in water, he will simply struggle for existence, despite being an expert swimmer. We have come into this material world to gratify our senses, but our attempts will never be successful.
- One may have enough money and enough resources to satisfy the senses but still not be satisfied, for the endeavor to stop lusty desires by enjoying can never be successful. The example given here is very appropriate.
Defeating Speculation and Duplicity
Spiritual advancement requires absolute sincerity and reception of knowledge from authoritative sources. Those who try to understand the Absolute Truth through independent mental speculation or who harbor duplicity in their hearts will remain in darkness. Without approaching the bona fide spiritual master and following the authentic process, all attempts at self-realization or yoga practice become a mere show.
- Just try to understand this. The principle is that if you receive knowledge from the real authority, that is perfect and quick. And if with your imperfect senses you want to acquire knowledge by searching out, it will never be successful.
- If you have got any duplicity in your mind, then you'll never be successful in any field of activities.
- Rules and regulations must be followed very strictly. Simply to make a show of gymnastics is not perfection of yoga. Yoga means control of the senses. If you indulge your senses unrestrictedly but make a show of yoga practice, you will never be successful.
- Do not ever try to approach Krishna directly. Anyone who talks of Krishna without service to Guru will not be successful.
The Supreme Formula for Success
The ultimate goal of life is not to endlessly battle material nature, but to return to our original spiritual home. Rather than chasing the will-o'-the-wisp of worldly happiness, one must simply surrender to the instructions of the Supreme Lord. By engaging practically and enthusiastically in devotional service, the soul easily transcends all material miseries and achieves the supreme perfection.
- In the human form of life, the living entity must accept this instruction from the Supreme Person, Krsna: "Do not plan to achieve happiness and drive away distress. You will never be successful. Simply surrender unto Me."
- The best course is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead with body, mind and words and always be engaged in His service. This transcendental labor is fruitful, but other attempts to understand the Absolute Truth are never successful.
- We must engage our self in devotional service, or Krsna consciousness. Then our life is successful. Otherwise we shall continue and drag the miserable condition of life, means we shall change in different ways, but it will never be successful.
- Why we should become so foolish that forget our real purpose of life and engage in will-o'-the-wisp struggle for existence, which will never be successful? Why this misconception of life?
Conclusion
The widespread suffering of the modern age is a direct result of humanity's refusal to accept its subordinate position. Through his uncompromising instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that any endeavor to find peace through scientific adjustments, godless philanthropy, or mental speculation is a mere illusion. The material world is designed to frustrate the false master. Only by abandoning the useless hope of material advancement and joyfully engaging in the devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa can the soul break free from its miseries and become truly successful.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Never Be Successful. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.