Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.9.29) states that human life is not meant for sense gratification, which is available even in the species of dogs and hogs. Rather, it is meant for self-realisation.
labdhvā sudurlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte
mānuṣyam artha-dam anityam apīha dhīraḥ
tūrṇaṁ yateta na pated anumṛtyu yāvan
niḥśreyasāya viṣayaḥ khalu sarvataḥ syāt
“This human form of life is very rare to obtain. Although temporary, it can give the highest perfection. Therefore, before death comes, a sober person should endeavor for self-realization. Sense enjoyment is available everywhere, even in lower species of life.”
We have got this human form of life after a long time. How we utilize it depends upon us. I had read a very nice saying in my childhood, in Marathi, which said “Mānus kīti jagato, yāpekṣā kasa jagato yālā jast mahatva āhe” — more than how much we live, how we live matters.
Many times in the lives of people, the entire life is wasted in pursuit of wealth, fame, sense gratification, and the likes. They may live even a hundred years, but such a life is wasted. The Bhāgavatam (5.5.5) mentions: parābhavas tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam — life is a defeat if we don’t inquire into higher values.
So how do people live their lives?
Living for “Me”
Some people live the whole life just for themselves. They cheat, they rob, they plunder resources, and do whatever is needed to make themselves happy.
For example, a person may work hard his entire life, thinking only about his own comforts and pleasures — food, travel, bank balance, and reputation — but never about anyone else. He is ready to exploit others if needed, just to satisfy his own desires.
We have the example of Aurangzeb, the cruel tyrant, who killed his brothers and imprisoned his father to ascend to the throne.
This kind of life is a selfish life, condemned by the scriptures. Such people are far far away from the real purpose of human existence.
Living for “Mine”
Some people live for “me and mine.” They have their own small universe — it may be their apartment, their society, their nation, or whatever. Their thinking revolves only around themselves and their dependents.
For example, a father may give the best to his children while ignoring the suffering of others. Hiraṇyakaśipu was definitely affectionate to his son Prahlāda, but only as long as Prahlāda aligned with his sense gratification. The moment Prahlāda chose devotion to the Lord, Hiraṇyakaśipu’s so-called affection turned into cruelty.
Dhratarastra was also affectionate to Duryodhana. But what good was that blinded affection which led to terrible injustices on the Pandavas, and ultimately resulted in the destruction of all the Kauravas?
This type of life is also not what the scriptures recommend.
Living for the “World”
Some people live for the whole world. The famous philosopher Socrates once said, “I am not a Greek. I am not an Athenian. Rather, I am a citizen of this world.”
Some people wish to do something for the environment. Some go out of their cocoons to do something for the poor. Some step forward to take care of animals, to advocate rights for them, or to protect nature. They want to make an impact in the world, and they feel philanthropy or altruism can bring real change.
This kind of life, although not the highest, is much better than living only for “me” and “mine”. At least here, one is thinking of others and coming out of selfishness.
The Subhāṣita says: ayam nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghu-cetasām, udāra-caritānāṁ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam — “Those who are narrow-minded say, ‘This is mine and that is yours,’ but those who are broad-minded consider the whole world as their family.”
Living for Guru and Krishna
Even higher than living for the world is living for one’s Guru and for Krishna. This may seem selfish — to live for just one person — but in reality, it is the topmost selflessness.
The real purpose of life is to understand our constitutional position as servants of Krishna. When one becomes a servant of Krishna, one naturally thinks of the whole world in terms of each soul’s relationship with Him. This vision is complete.
While one is living for the world, one may think one group as better, and the other not. One may feed the poor on one hand, but kill innocent animals on other. Even if one is not harming anyone but wishing to do only good for others, if it remains on the bodily platform, it is going to perish with the passage of time. Because such a thought process is not based on the perfect understanding, it cannot do the perfect good for the entire humanity.
Therefore, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura would say that only the devotees can be the greatest benefactors of the human society.
Living for the pleasure of Guru brings utmost pleasure to Krishna, and that pleases the whole creation. For one who pleases Krishna, nothing remains to be achieved. His life is completely successful.
tasmin prasanne sakalāśiṣāṁ prabhau
kiṁ durlabhaṁ tābhir alaṁ lavātmabhiḥ
ananya-dṛṣṭyā bhajatāṁ guhāśayaḥ
svayaṁ vidhatte sva-gatiṁ paraḥ parām
Nothing remains unachieved when the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased with someone. By transcendental achievement one understands everything else to be insignificant. One who engages in transcendental loving service is elevated to the highest perfectional stage by the Lord Himself, who is seated in everyone’s heart. SB 3.13.49
