Reaching the Perfectional Point of Life
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the ultimate culmination of all knowledge, austerity, and spiritual seeking is unalloyed devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Reaching the perfectional point means awakening one's dormant love for Kṛṣṇa and acting purely for His satisfaction. By examining his teachings, we learn how to traverse the path of self-realization, secure our eternal spiritual assets, and attain the highest success under the guidance of the spiritual master.
Surrendering to the Supreme Lord
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the conclusion of all philosophical research is pure devotional service. When a person truly reaches the perfectional point, they realize that Vāsudeva, or Kṛṣṇa, is the source of everything and voluntarily surrender unto Him. This awakening of pure, unmotivated love is the ultimate formula for true happiness and spiritual completion.
- After scrutinizingly studying all the process of self-realization or transcendental realization, when one comes to the perfectional point, he understands that vasudevah sarvam iti: (BG 7.19) Vasudeva, Krsna, is everything.
- What type of surrender is recommended? Surrender in full knowledge - when one comes to the perfectional point he must understand that Vasudeva, Krsna, is everything. This is also confirmed in Brahma-samhita - 5.1.
- Now that loving propensity can attain its perfection, and as soon as you reach that perfectional point, you become happy. This is the formula for happiness.
The Permanent Asset of Devotion
In the material world, an unfinished project generally holds no value, but Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that this is not the case in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Even if a practitioner does not reach the absolute perfectional point in this single lifetime, their devotional efforts are never lost. Whatever sincere service has been rendered becomes a permanent spiritual asset, allowing the soul to resume from that exact point in the next life.
- If you can execute cent percent, then the whole life is perfect. But even if you do not come to the perfectional point, whatever you have done, that is your permanent asset. Next life you begin from that point.
- This is not the case with Krsna consciousness (as in the world without completely construct the building it's useless), for even if one does not come to the perfectional point, whatever work he does is his permanent asset, and he can begin from that point in his next life.
- During our lifetime we have to practice approaching that point of perfection, and at the time of death, when we give up this material body, that perfection has to be realized. At the time of death, one must be prepared.
Beyond Ordinary Yoga and Philosophy
Many transcendentalists, such as mystic yogīs and impersonal philosophers, attempt to realize the Absolute Truth through difficult and abstract methods. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that without coming to the stage of active devotional service, they fall short of the true goal. The perfectional point of all yoga and philosophy is to recognize the personal form of the Lord and voluntarily surrender to Him.
- Yoga process is authorized, but Arjuna says that it is too difficult. So-called yogis are simply making farce. They do not reach to the perfectional point of yoga. Therefore Krsna said, anyone who is thinking of Him within his heart is first class yogi.
- Although the Mayavadi philosophers appear to be very much advanced in knowledge, they are not yet perfect. To come to the point of perfection they must voluntarily surrender to Krsna.
- Religion, religion is the source of moral and ethics. Because religion means to come to the perfectional point. So as soon as there is perfection, moral and ethics are already there.
Guidance to the Ultimate Goal
Reaching the perfectional point requires proper training and submission to authorized spiritual guidance. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the spiritual master's primary business is to elevate the initiated disciple from their starting point all the way to complete perfection. Through steady service, non-attachment, and the association of advanced devotees, this supreme goal becomes a tangible reality.
- An initiated devotee is given the chance for becoming free from the entanglement of karma wheel. Initiated means beginning, not perfection. The Spiritual Master's business is to guide him to the perfectional point.
- If you want to approach to the perfectional point of purificatory birth, then you associate with mahat-seva. Seva means service. Service. Our whole process is service.
- So if we go on working in non-attachment and culture our self-realization, then gradually we shall come to the perfectional point.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it abundantly clear that the perfectional point of human life is not a vague or abstract achievement, but the tangible realization of our eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. By surrendering to Kṛṣṇa in full knowledge, dedicating one's actions to His service, and following the expert guidance of the spiritual master, any sincere soul can reach this ultimate destination. Even if the journey spans multiple lifetimes, every step taken in pure devotional service is an eternal victory that guarantees final perfection.
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 Perfectional Point. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.