The Ultimate Purpose of Life - Following God's Instructions
The true measure of a civilized human being is not found in technological advancement or economic power, but in their obedience to the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the entire purpose of the human form of life is to revive our dormant relationship with Kṛṣṇa by strictly and unhesitatingly following His divine instructions.
Mark of Aryan Civilization
A society that ignores the laws of God cannot be considered truly civilized. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines an Aryan civilization as one where people strictly follow the instructions of the Supreme Lord without deviation. By adhering to the directives found in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, humanity can live peacefully and ultimately achieve the perfection of returning back to Godhead. Those who concoct their own plans out of disobedience are inevitably forced to suffer under the strict laws of material nature.
- A civilization of Aryans who strictly follow the instructions of the Lord and never deviate from those instructions is perfect. Such civilized men do not discriminate between trees, animals, human beings and other living entities.
- Human life is especially meant for reviving our lost relationship with God by following the instructions of God contained in religious books like the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc.
- The main purpose of life is to follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is such instructions that constitute one's religion or occupational duty.
- Because of disobeying the Supreme Lord, one is put into material conditions, and he then tries to improve his situation in a concocted way, not desiring to follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Association Through the Absolute Word
One does not need to physically see the Lord to be in His presence. Because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is Absolute, there is no difference between His form, His name, and His instructions. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that simply by faithfully following the Lord's instructions, a devotee is directly associating with Kṛṣṇa. Through this divine association, the living entity becomes nirguṇa, completely free from the interactions of the material qualities.
- To follow the instructions of the Lord is to associate with the Lord. The Lord is not a material object whose presence one has to feel for such association. The Lord is present everywhere and at all times.
- It is quite possible to have His association simply by following His instruction because the Lord and His instruction and the Lord and His name, fame, attributes and paraphernalia are all identical with Him, being absolute knowledge.
- If one directly follows the instructions of the Supreme Lord, as inculcated in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, then one gradually becomes nirguna, or above the interactions of the material qualities.
- Even though one may be situated within this material world, he can become fully satisfied and devoid of hankering and lamentation simply by following the instructions of the Lord as set forth in Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam.
A Path Open to Everyone
The mercy of the Supreme Lord is not restricted to an elite few. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that the process of surrendering to Kṛṣṇa's instructions is open to everyone, regardless of their social caste, creed, or occupation. Whether one is a highly educated brāhmaṇa or an ordinary śūdra, if they remain in their allotted condition and faithfully execute the Lord's orders, their life will become completely successful.
- This instruction is meant for everyone - brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra. If anyone, from any division of life, surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and follows His instructions, his life will be successful.
- This process of surrendering by following the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not meant for any particular caste or creed. A brahmana can surrender, and so can a ksatriya, vaisya or sudra. Everyone can adopt this process.
- Under any circumstances, if we remain in the condition allotted to us by the Supreme Lord and follow His instructions, we will become perfect.
- We do not need to be very learned. Our only requirement is that we receive the blessings of the Lord. The Lord's blessings will enable us to become learned and follow His instructions.
Following, Not Imitating
While the Lord demands our obedience, He explicitly forbids our imitation. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly warns that a conditioned soul must never attempt to imitate the extraordinary, omnipotent actions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We cannot lift Govardhana Hill, but we can perfectly follow the instructions Kṛṣṇa spoke on the battlefield of Kurukṣetra. Perfection lies in humbly executing His word, not in falsely claiming His position.
- One should not imitate the actions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; one should simply follow the instructions of the Lord.
- We cannot imitate the Lord by lifting Govardhana Hill, as the Lord did in His childhood. It is impossible for any human being. We have to follow His instructions, but we may not imitate Him at any time.
- One should simply follow the instructions of the Lord and His empowered servants. Their instructions are all good for us, and any intelligent person will perform them as instructed (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.33.30).
- One can immediately become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His instructions.
Conclusion
God has provided us with everything we need—the intelligence to understand, the scriptures to guide us, and the free will to make our choice. By voluntarily choosing to surrender our speculative plans and strictly follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we align ourselves with the eternal reality. Through this simple act of obedience, we associate with the Lord directly and guarantee our return to His spiritual abode.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
The instructions of the pure devotee are our eternal guide. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Following God's Instructions. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.