What is the purpose of human life? Is it simply to eat, sleep, work, enjoy and accumulate wealth, while ignoring the certainty of death? The Vedic scriptures teach that human life offers a far greater opportunity: to understand our spiritual identity, recognise our relationship with Krishna and prepare to return to Him. Yet, like goats unaware of the danger around them, we often remain absorbed in temporary pleasures.
In many roadside meat shops in India, we may see a disturbing scene. A butcher chops a goat while a herd of goats remains tied nearby, eating leaves. They seem undisturbed. They do not appear to wonder:
- Why is the butcher taking away goats one by one, and why do they never return?
- Whose flesh is hanging in the shop?
- Am I really safe?
- Could I be next?
They continue eating, apparently unaware of the danger surrounding them. If human beings were kept in the same situation, we would expect them to recognise the warning signs, ask questions and try to escape rather than remain absorbed in the food offered to them.
This comparison is not intended to judge the worth of any person. It illustrates a particular kind of forgetfulness: seeing death all around us but failing to reflect on our own mortality. We may possess human intelligence, yet still neglect the most important questions about life.
In the Mahabharata, when the Yaksha asked Yudhishthira, "What is the greatest wonder in the world?", he gave this answer:
Day after day, countless living beings go to the abode of Yama. Yet those who remain wish to live forever. What can be more wonderful than this?
The Mahabharata, Yaksha Prashna
THE GOAT SYNDROME: FORGETTING THE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE
I was speaking with a former colleague and learnt that a very close friend of ours had left his body while taking a shower. Almost every year, we receive emails from our Human Resources team informing us about the sad demise of employees.
A few months earlier, we had received tragic news from our office. One of the morning cabs met with a head-on collision with a bus. The accident took the lives of the cab driver and our colleagues at the scene.
An under-construction flyover came crashing down during peak hours over one of the busiest road crossings in Kolkata, crushing people beneath it.
A few years earlier, one of my close relatives was swept away by a river and lost his life.
Every month, if not every day, we hear or read about someone's death. Many deaths are accidental, unexpected and sudden. Yet, when we hear such news, we usually feel sad for a while and then return to our usual routines.
We continue running after wealth, comforts, recognition and enjoyment. Somewhere in our minds, we assume that death will not come to us, at least not in the near future. We know that others die, but rarely live with the awareness that we too may die at any moment.
This is known as the Goat Syndrome. It is not a judgement of anyone's intelligence or worth. It describes our tendency to ignore the unmistakable reality of death while remaining absorbed in temporary pleasures.
The purpose of human life is much greater than simply enjoying the facilities of the body. To understand why, we must first understand the difference between the body and the soul.
THE BODY DIES, BUT THE SOUL IS ETERNAL
Krishna explains the nature of life and death in the Bhagavad-gita:
One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again.
For the soul, there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.
These verses reveal an important truth. The body is temporary, but the soul is eternal. The body undergoes birth, growth, old age and death. The soul, however, does not perish when the body dies.
It is therefore unwise to devote all our attention to the temporary body while neglecting our eternal spiritual identity. This does not mean that we should neglect our health, family or responsibilities. Rather, we should understand their proper place in our lives.
Consider the story of a little girl who received a rose plant from her mother. The plant had a beautiful rose. The girl was captivated by the flower and took great care of it. She sprayed water on it, protected it from dust and drove away flies and insects. Despite all her care, the flower withered after a few days. The girl was heartbroken. Worse still, because she had become so absorbed in the flower, she had neglected the plant itself. Eventually, the plant also died.
We should not make the same mistake. The body is temporary, but the soul is eternal. Caring for the body is necessary, but neglecting the soul is a much greater loss.
Death is certain. No amount of denial can change this reality. Understanding this is the beginning of discovering the true purpose of human life.
IF WE ARE GOATS, WHO IS WISE?
Goats spend their lives grazing and may appear unaware of the danger around them. Human beings can also spend their entire lives absorbed in enjoyment, only to be surprised when death arrives.
Wise people, on the other hand, do not live in constant fear of death. They use the awareness of mortality to understand the purpose of life and prepare themselves spiritually.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is often credited with the observation that man has forgotten how to die because he does not know how to live.
We all have to die. Therefore, we should learn how to live in a way that prepares us for death. The Vedic scriptures, especially the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, provide this knowledge.
They teach us that human life is not meant merely for improving the comforts of the body. It is an opportunity to understand our eternal identity as spirit souls and revive our relationship with the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE?
Materially minded people spend considerable time planning for their future. They consult financial advisors, invest money, purchase insurance and make arrangements to secure their retirement.
There is nothing wrong with responsible financial planning. However, if we carefully plan for the future of our temporary body, should we not also plan for our eternal spiritual future?
The purpose of human life can be understood and pursued through four important steps.
1. Understand the Real Goal of Life
From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.
Most of the goals we pursue are connected with our present body. We may want to become famous, wealthy, successful or influential. These goals may have value during our present lifetime, but what happens if we die before achieving them?
Even if we achieve everything we desire, what will we carry with us when we leave this body? Our name, position, bank balance, property and social recognition will all remain behind.
The purpose of human life must therefore be greater than achieving temporary material goals. We should pursue a goal that concerns our eternal spiritual identity.
The Vedic scriptures explain that the living being is an eternal spirit soul who has been transmigrating from one body to another. The material world contains countless forms of life. The human form is especially valuable because it provides the intelligence and opportunity to inquire into spiritual truth and engage in spiritual practices.
Srila Prabhupada explains that the human form should not be wasted merely in refining the activities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending. These activities are found in animal life as well. Human intelligence should be used to understand the self, the Supreme Lord and our relationship with Him.
The ultimate goal, as taught in the Bhagavad-gita, is to attain Krishna's spiritual abode.
That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.
This is the spiritual goal that gives meaning to our human existence. We can fulfil our material responsibilities while keeping this higher purpose in view.
2. Live in the Present, but Plan for Your Spiritual Future
Every one of us gets twenty-four hours a day. Students spend time studying, working people spend time earning a livelihood, and retired people engage in various activities. We also spend time watching television, browsing the internet, meeting friends and enjoying entertainment.
There is nothing inherently wrong with many of these activities. The real question is whether we make time for spiritual growth.
One of the most common excuses is that we are too busy to practise spiritual life. But is this really true?
Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna in the middle of a battlefield. Arjuna had enormous responsibilities and faced an extraordinary crisis. Yet Krishna instructed him to remember the Lord while performing his prescribed duty.
The lesson is not that we must abandon our work or family responsibilities. Rather, we should learn to perform our duties with Krishna at the centre.
Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krishna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without a doubt.
We do not necessarily have to give up our regular activities. We can work, study, earn money, care for our families and fulfil our responsibilities. The important change is to make Krishna the centre of our lives.
Some may ask: Why should we aim to attain Krishna? Why not pursue some other destination?
The Bhagavad-gita presents Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He describes His spiritual abode as the destination from which there is no return to the cycle of material birth and death. He also explains that surrender to Him enables the living being to cross beyond material nature.
That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.
After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.
How can we attain Krishna? Krishna Himself gives us the answer.
For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Pritha, because of his constant engagement in devotional service.
He who meditates on Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Partha, is sure to reach Me.
Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me.
Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.
These instructions show that spiritual life is not reserved for people who have retired from worldly responsibilities. We can begin practising Krishna consciousness right now, wherever we are.
3. Practise Remembering Krishna at the Time of Death
And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.
Remembering Krishna at the time of death is essential. But can we suddenly remember Him when our entire life has been spent thinking about material things?
Death may bring intense physical and emotional distress. The Garuda Purana is traditionally cited as describing the pain of death as equivalent to 42,000 scorpion bites. We may also experience the anguish of separation from our loved ones and everything we have become attached to.
Whether we face a sudden departure or a prolonged illness, the final moment is not the time to begin learning how to remember Krishna.
Just as an important performance requires repeated practice, remembering Krishna at the time of death requires practice throughout life. We should begin when we are healthy, active and able to engage our minds consciously in devotional service.
Through this practice, we gradually revive our forgotten relationship, or sambandha, with Krishna. As that relationship becomes stronger, remembering Him becomes a natural part of our lives.
One of the most accessible and powerful practices is chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, the great mantra for spiritual awakening:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
By sincerely chanting the Holy Name, hearing about Krishna and engaging in devotional service, we train our minds to remember Him. This practice helps us prepare for the final moment while enriching our lives today.
4. Beware of the Pitfalls That Distract Us from Spiritual Life
Many people begin considering spiritual life but gradually lose interest. Sometimes they are influenced by the wealth and fame of materialistic people. At other times, they become discouraged by friends, relatives or people whose opinions matter to them.
We should not allow the choices of others to decide the direction of our spiritual journey. The fact that a particular path is followed by a majority does not necessarily make it the right path.
Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-gita that understanding Him and surrendering to Him is rare. These verses should inspire us to examine our own lives seriously, rather than look down upon people who have not yet accepted spiritual practice.
Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.
I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.
Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.
After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the dualities of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.
These teachings remind us that spiritual understanding is precious and should not be neglected. They also encourage us to share spiritual knowledge with others with patience, compassion and humility.
We should not measure our spiritual progress by comparing ourselves with others. Instead, we should sincerely practise, strengthen our faith, develop good character and help others understand the value of Krishna consciousness.
FROM GOAT-LIKE FORGETFULNESS TO HUMAN SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
The purpose of human life is not simply to extend the comforts of the body or accumulate possessions that we must eventually leave behind. It is to understand that we are eternal spirit souls and revive our loving relationship with Krishna.
The goat analogy reminds us of a serious danger: we may see death everywhere and still remain absorbed in temporary enjoyment. But human life gives us the intelligence and opportunity to ask deeper questions, seek answers in scripture and change the direction of our lives.
We do not have to wait until old age, retirement or a crisis to begin. We can start today by reading the Bhagavad-gita, chanting the Holy Name, hearing about Krishna and offering our daily activities to Him.
Let us use this rare human opportunity wisely. Rather than being surprised by death after a lifetime of forgetfulness, let us prepare for the final moment by remembering Krishna throughout our lives, let us all pray for the blessing of intelligence and determination to understand the true purpose of human life and engage in sincere devotional service.
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