Progressive stages towards the ultimate goal of life

Below are statements with references from scriptures showing the gradual stages of evolution from materialism to spiritual life to pure love of Godhead. I have ordered them in numbers.

Question: From the revealed scriptures, what is the ultimate goal of life?

1.  The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of varṇa and āśrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One must be situated in the institution of the four varṇas and āśramas – BG 9.27

2.  To give up one’s occupational duties in the varṇāśrama system is the essence of perfection –BG18.66

3.  Devotional service mixed with empiric knowledge is the essence of perfection – BG18.54 

The above stages of spiritual realization are mixed with materialism. The beginning of pure spiritual platform begins from here.

4.  Pure devotional service without any touch of speculative knowledge is the essence of perfection – SB10.14.3

5.  Ecstatic love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the essence of all perfection – BRS1.1.11, Padyavali 13-14

Once on the pure spiritual platform. There are stages of pure love as shown below based one’s inner rasa or mellow. Variation based on rasa or mellow is not necessarily inferior or superior but a matter of enrichment of loving sentiments. Below is the order of enriched loving sentiments. 

6.  Spontaneous loving service in servitude — as exchanged by master and servant — is the highest perfection – SB9.5.16, Stotra Ratna 43 
7.  Loving service to Kṛṣṇa rendered in fraternity is the highest perfection – SB10.12.11 
8.  Loving service to the Lord in the parental relationship is the highest perfectional stage – SB10.8.46, SB10.9.20 
9.  Conjugal attachment for Kṛṣṇa is the topmost position in love of Godhead – SB10.47.60, SB10.32.2 
10.  Complete attainment of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa is made possible by love of Godhead, specifically mādhurya-rasa, or conjugal love. Lord Kṛṣṇa is indeed captivated by this standard of love. This is stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam - SB10.82.44 

On the highest and fullest sentiment of conjugal love, the love of one gopi Srimati Radharani is the highest. The limit of human life is achieved when one assists Radha and Krishna in their supreme divine love as indicated below. 

11.  Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa is topmost. Indeed, the glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are highly esteemed in all revealed scriptures. The glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s loving affairs are beyond compare within these three worlds – Padma Purana, Laghu-bhagavatamrta 2.1.45, SB10.30.28 
12.  O my Lord, You live in the forest of Govardhana Hill, and, like the king of elephants, You are expert in the art of conjugal love. O master of the universe, Your heart and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s heart are just like shellac and are now melted in Your spiritual perspiration. Therefore one can no longer distinguish between You and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Now You have mixed Your newly invoked affection, which is like vermilion, with Your melted hearts, and for the benefit of the whole world You have painted both Your hearts red within this great palace of the universe-Ujjvala-nīlamaṇi (Sthāyi-bhāva-prakaraṇa 155).

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu confirmed “This is the limit of the goal of human life” 

- Conversation between Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramananda Raya 

Hare Krishna

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

When I was around 17 or 18 years old, I had a desire to join the army and represent India in that way. I wanted to be a Jawan and fight for India. I don’t think I would have been selected in the Army since I have flat feet and wear glasses.

My fledgling Indianism or one can call it patriotism gradually changed after I read Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As it Is. Because, for Srila Prabhupada India was not just a boundary on a map. He transcended sectarian India and made the real Bharata Kanda available to one and all. The Bharata kanda Srila Prabhupada represented is universal, all-inclusive and a liberal state.

I have not given up my Indian roots but in fact made it deeper by embracing values of the original Bharata kanda!

Udaara charitaanaam tu vasudhaiva kutumbhakam||
For the broad-minded, the entire planet is but a family||

Hare Krishna

Interview with H.H.Radhanath Swami

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Oneself - truly speaking is spirit

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Transience

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Megacities: Urban Future, the Emerging Complexity

Megacities are, by definition, urban areas with a population of 10 million or more. The video is used as part of an “Advanced Special Operations Combating Terrorism” course offered at Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) for a lesson on “The Emerging Terrorism Threat.”

The video is nothing if not an instant dystopian classic: melancholy music, an ominous voiceover, and cascading images of sprawling slums and urban conflict. “Megacities are complex systems where people and structures are compressed together in ways that defy both our understanding of city planning and military doctrine,” says a disembodied voice. “These are the future breeding grounds, incubators, and launching pads for adversaries and hybrid threats.”It is a collage of pictures of current events predicting a foreseeable dystopian future.

The video eerily shows whats in store for the future of Kali yuga. As dark as the video may sound, it misses one thing - God or Krishna. As long as Krishna is still on this planet, there is some hope. More than anytime in the past, it is important we connect with Krishna and stay connected. Deeper understanding of "consciousness" living is the solution to the ever growing complicated urban lifestyle.

But lets make one thing clear -the problem is real and we have to be ready to face it.


 
“Megacities: Urban Future, the Emerging Complexity,” a video created by the Army and used at the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations University. A Pentagon Video.

Hare Krishna

Prerequisite to spiritual knowledge

There is so much realization in the pages of the Bhagavatam given by great saintly sages and rishis. There is deep refined wisdom in the pages of Bhagavad Gita spoken directly by the Supreme Being Sri Krishna. There is so much evidence around us in our immediate vicinity and far away to ascertain the truths as enunciated by these saintly scriptures. Yet, we are convinced we can be happy here and that Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam is for dry philosophers that which is not practical in this day and age!

So while there is ‘raja vidya’, king of knowledge accessible by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, that king of knowledge is rendered ‘raja guhyam’, king of secrets. Why - because we do not see the futility of material life. Therefore, unless we deeply realize from the core of our heart the futility of this world, we will not truly take full shelter of the ‘raja vidya’ and till we take shelter, this will remain ‘guhyam’ or secret and rendered dry philosophy from our vantage point!

Hare Krishna