Nectar of Instruction, Verse 2 Puport: Altruism and Sense Gratification

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"The word mahatma refers to those who are broadminded, not cripple-

minded. Cripple-minded persons, always engaged in satisfying their

senses, sometimes expand their activities in order to do good for

others through some "ism" like nationalism, humanitarianism or

altruism. They may reject personal sense gratification for the sense

gratification of others, like the members of their family, community

or society--either national or international. Actually all this is

extended sense gratification, from personal to communal to social.

This may all be very good from the material point of view, but such

activities have no spiritual value. The basis of such activity is

sense gratification, either personal or extended. Only when a person

gratifies the senses of the Supreme Lord can he be called a mahatma,

or broadminded person."

 

-- Srila Prabhupada's purport on Nectar of Instruction, verse 2

 

Understanding this, we have to reject the idea that living our life

for others (that is, mundane altruism) is the purpose of life. My own

observations are that many people devote themselves to some sort of "-

ism" in order to evade God. It is easier to give one's time to a

mundane cause, because surrendering to the Supreme Lord is more

difficult, takes more humility, and involves more sacrifice.