What is the Meaning of Life?

By Ajit Krishna Dasa

Question:

Why do we exist? Is there a higher purpose to life, or is everything just random?

Answer:

Life is not a product of chance or a meaningless series of events. As Srila Prabhupada explains in his teachings on the Bhagavad-gita, the purpose of life is to understand that we are not these material bodies but eternal spiritual souls, part and parcel of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Human life is especially meant for this realization, without which one misses the higher potential of human life.

Explanation:

Srila Prabhupada often referred to Bhagavad-gita (2.13) to illustrate our eternal identity: “As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.” This verse invites us to reflect on the impermanence of the body and the enduring nature of the soul, urging us to seek spiritual knowledge over material distractions.

The human form of life is a rare opportunity given to the soul after many lifetimes of wandering through the cycle of birth and death. Srila Prabhupada often stressed that this life is not meant simply for eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, which even animals do. It is meant for self-realization—to inquire about the Absolute Truth and to understand our eternal relationship with Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada would often use the example of the fish out of water to explain our predicament. Just as a fish cannot be happy outside its natural habitat, the soul cannot find true happiness in the material world. The soul’s real happiness lies in its original position as a servant of Krishna. Any attempt to find lasting satisfaction through material pursuits is like decorating the cage while neglecting the bird within.

The Bhagavad-gita is Krishna’s direct instruction to help us awaken to this truth. Krishna Himself declares in the Bhagavad-gita (18.66): “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” This verse reveals that the ultimate purpose of life is to surrender to Krishna and attain liberation through His mercy. Srila Prabhupada emphasized that only by taking shelter of Krishna and practicing devotional service can we achieve the ultimate goal of life: liberation from the cycle of birth and death and entrance into the eternal spiritual world.

Suggested Reading:

If you want to explore this topic further, read Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 2.13, including the purport. This verse and its explanation delve into the eternal nature of the soul and the purpose of human life.