Solving the Real Problems of Life - That Is Intelligence
In modern society, a person is often considered highly intelligent if they can invent complex technology or accumulate vast wealth. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently challenges this definition, pointing out that animals also work hard for eating, sleeping, and defending. True intelligence is awakened only when a human being begins to inquire about their spiritual identity, the nature of their suffering, and how to permanently escape the cycle of birth and death by surrendering to the Supreme Lord.
The Awakening of Human Inquiry
Human life is meant for philosophical inquiry, not merely for biological survival. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that an intelligent person must eventually ask why they have been forced into the miserable conditions of material existence, just as Sanātana Gosvāmī did when he approached Lord Caitanya.
- Sanatana Gosvami, when he approached Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he inquired this "Why?" Ke ami, kene amaya jare tapa-traya. "Who am I? Why I am put into this miserable condition of life?" That is intelligence.
- The intelligence is that "Why I am put into miserable condition of life?" That is intelligence. That intelligence was found in the life of Sanatana Gosvami.
- This is very simple thing, that "I am simply changing body. Then what is my real position?" This is intelligent. When a man comes to this position or this platform, to inquire, "Actually what I am?" that is beginning of human life.
- A living entity is always connected with a certain amount of intelligence, but in the human form of life the living entity must inquire about his spiritual identity. This is real human intelligence.
Preparing for the Next Life
While materialistic people are obsessed with the temporary span of their current life, a wise person looks further ahead. Because the soul is eternal and the body is constantly changing, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that true intelligence requires understanding the laws of karma and consciously preparing for the body one will receive after death.
- You are accepting every moment a different body. So after death, you will have to accept another body. Now, we should know, "What kind of body I am going to accept next?" That is intelligence. That is civilization.
- One who is intelligent, he should try to understand that "What kind of body am I going to get next?" That is intelligence. So that is also explained in the Bhagavad-gita, what kind of body you can get.
- Prakrti, nature, will offer the body, and there are so many varieties of body. So one should know at least what kind of body I'm going to get next. That is intelligence. And if he becomes other than human being, that is not very good proposal.
- We have to consider what we are preparing for our life after death. That is intelligence. Not that to be absorbed in simply only this small duration of life, say fifty years, sixty years or hundred years.
Rejecting Temporary Solutions
The material world is a place of illusion where people constantly try to manufacture artificial happiness. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that an intelligent person recognizes the futility of seeking permanent joy in a temporary world and instead searches for the eternal reality of the spiritual kingdom.
- Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. There is no excuse. So intelligent man, why he should endeavor for things which are temporary, maybe ten years or hundred years or ten thousand years? That is intelligence, that why should I try for temporary things?
- We are trying to manufacture so many things to satisfy our thirst of joyfulness, but we are being baffled. Because it is illusion. Therefore real intelligence is: "Then where is the reality? Where is real water?" That is intelligence.
- We are searching after some permanent place, permanent settlement on the world. Nobody wants to die, but that is not possible. But if there is possibility of going somewhere where no more death, why don't you search after that? That is intelligence.
- Those who are actually yogis do not desire to enter any other planet because they know that life is temporary on the temporary planets, and thus they are not interested. That is intelligence.
Working for Kṛṣṇa's Pleasure
In the conditioned state, every living entity works exhaustively to serve their own senses, yet they remain unhappy. The turning point of intelligence, according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, is when a person decides to stop working for their own illusory sense gratification and begins to work actively for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord.
- Because you are foolish, you do not know that, "I am working under the dictation of my senses. My masters are the senses." So, "Why not accept Krsna as my master?" This is intelligence.
- Krsna is asking to work for Him, giving up everything. That is clear, everyone knows. "Here also I am working very hard, but here I am working hard to be happy, but the viparitani, I am becoming unhappy. So why not work for Krsna?" This is intelligence.
- You are simply instrument in the hands of Krsna. That is intelligence. Therefore you should work as Krsna desires. That is real intelligence. If you work in Krsna consciousness, that is real intelligence.
- This is intelligence, how we have to work, but without reaping any good or bad result. That means working for Krsna. That is called akarma.
Total Dependence on God
Ultimately, the living entity has no independent power; everyone is sustained entirely by the mercy of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the perfection of intelligence is to deeply understand this absolute dependence and voluntarily surrender to Kṛṣṇa without unnecessary delay.
- In every respect, we are simply dependent on the mercy of God. So why not become directly dependent? That is intelligence.
- If I have to surrender, why not to Krsna? Why surrender to some foolish man? If my business is to surrender, I cannot do without surrender, then let me surrender to Krsna. That is intelligence.
- Let me go direct to Krsna. - Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama. That is intelligent, to become Krsna conscious, to take to Krsna wholeheartedly. That is real intelligence.
- Sastra says, turnam yateta anu-mrtyu pateta yavad. Before meeting your next death, you should endeavor so dexterously that you complete your Krsna consciousness before your death comes. That is intelligence.
Conclusion
The modern metric for intelligence is tragically misaligned with the reality of the soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda systematically reveals that true human intelligence is not measured by academic degrees or economic success, but by the ability to ask the most fundamental questions of existence: who am I, and why am I suffering? A genuinely intelligent person looks beyond the temporary duration of their current body, analytically understands the inevitable miseries of birth, death, old age, and disease, and actively prepares for their future. Rather than being foolishly dictated by the material senses, the intelligent soul recognizes their eternal dependence on the Supreme Lord and voluntarily chooses to act as His instrument. By fully engaging in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one demonstrates the highest expression of intelligence, permanently solving the problems of life and returning back to Godhead.
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 That Is Intelligence. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.