Purpose of Human Life

[Guest guest]

Purpose of Human Life

 

Swami Brahmeshananda

 

A former editor of The Vedanta Kesari, the author is presently the

Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh. o

 

Question: What is the purpose of human life?

Answer: There could be various purposes of human life, depending

upon the propensities and cravings of the individual.

 

What are they?

 

For some, the purpose of life is enjoyment (Kàma). Others are

interested in earning money and riches. Still others give scant

importance to enjoyment and wealth, and consider leading a righteous

and virtuous life (Dharma) as the chief purpose of life. Finally,

there are those who want to attain salvation or Mokäa--absolute

liberation from the suffering of repeated births.

 

This can be seen differently also. Some have to struggle for

existence, and the only purpose of their life is survival. There are

others who live for enjoyment. Still others wish to do lot of

things. The fourth type of people are seekers of knowledge, are

researchers and thinkers. Finally, there are a rare few who aspire

for final emancipation.

 

But, what is the ultimate goal of life or purpose of life?

 

According to Hinduism, it is Mokäa or freedom.

 

Has not Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna said anything about

the purpose of life?

 

Yes. According to Sri Ramakrishna, the purpose of human life is God-

realisation.

 

And according to Swami Vivekananda?

 

Swamiji says that the goal of life is the manifestation of the

potential of the soul.

 

These two appear different…

 

No. God-realisation and the manifestation of the divinity of the

soul are one and the same thing.

 

But, I do not believe in God and I do not know what the soul is.

What should be or could be the purpose of life?

 

Everyone wants absolute happiness and total extinction of suffering.

Buddha has also emphasised that destruction of suffering is the goal

of life. So also, in Patanjali's Yoga Sùtra, destruction of

suffering yet to come has been suggested as the purpose of life.

This is called Kaivalya in Yoga and Nirvana in Buddhism.

 

So, what should I set as the purpose of my life?

 

God-realisation, manifestation of divinity of the soul, Nirvana, and

knowledge are different names of the same state. Choose whatever you

like.