Bhakti Ras

What is the Purpose of Life?

Before answering a deep philosophical question like this, it is important to know our true identity. We are eternal souls who are tiny fragments of the all-powerful Supreme Lord and creator. He is an ocean of infinite bliss and as His ansh or parts, we naturally gravitate toward where we believe we will find bliss. Therefore, we search for bliss in the material world thinking that relishing objects, experiences, and people will make us eternally happy. We make the mistake of thinking that short-term pleasure will bring long-lasting happiness. When it does not, we feel disillusioned and start searching for other sources of pleasure. After endless such experiences, when we meet a true saint, then we realize the purpose of life. It is to serve God with the body, mind, intellect, and soul. Serving Him will provide us with the happiness that will satiate us forever.

We all come into this world with lower instincts that characterize mental afflictions (e.g., greed, anger, lust, etc.). The purpose of life is to redirect these and develop the superior nature that reflects in traits like compassion, kindness, absence of judgment, etc. The true knowledge of the scriptures will help us to learn the purpose of life, which is to develop a divine relationship with God and serve Him for His pleasure. Having received this precious human form, we must make maximum use of the opportunity to fulfill the purpose of life.

How Can We Accomplish the Purpose of Life?

As tiny parts of God or Satchitanand, we have been blessed with an intense desire for three things without being taught – life (Sat), knowledge (Chit), and bliss (Anand). We will achieve all these by serving God – the purpose of life.

Focus on the Eternal Soul. We must continuously remind ourselves that we are the immortal divine soul, not the physical body made of matter. The body will perish but the soul, like its master, is eternal. Thus, we must properly use this life to develop transcendental virtues and qualities to be perfect like God. He has equipped the souls to become perfect like Him. God chisels the souls toward perfection with life experiences.

Acquire True Knowledge. We must learn to love God by acquiring the true knowledge of His names, forms, virtues, leelas or pastimes, abodes, and saints. In other words, we must attach the mind to God while detaching it from the material world which is the source of misery. Materially conditioned souls do not possess the power to overcome God’s powerful Maya Shakti, so our only recourse is to engage in loving devotion to God. Bhakti has the incredible power to transform lives, especially under the guidance of a true Guru.

Seek Devotional Bliss. On the spiritual path, association with saints (i.e., sadhu sanga), and a connection with like-minded devotees enable us to establish the faith (i.e., shraddha) needed for inner growth. Engagement in practical devotion (i.e., bhajanakriya) through Satsang, meditation, and contemplation tend to be graced with the gradual removal of the impurities in the heart (i.e., anarth nivritti). Simultaneously, pursuing true knowledge under the Guru’s guidance will strengthen devotion and love for God.

Repeated Practice. Progress toward a perfect state of consciousness will not occur overnight. It will require repeated and continuous practice to establish proficiency. We can take small steps daily, master each step before progressing to the next, exercise self-discipline and willpower, and make good choices to honor the commitment to grow. As science has documented, neurons that wire together, fire together! Repeated practice will work in our favor to fulfill the purpose of life. .