The Ultimate Vehicle

Most people own one or more vehicles these days. Let’s say you take a joy ride in your vehicle, and fill petrol to support its proper function before the next ride. The cycle repeats – take a joy ride, fill petrol in the vehicle, etc. The purpose of a vehicle is to help the passenger reach a destination quickly and safely. Each vehicle has a life-span. Eventually, it begins to fail. If you get consumed in supporting the vehicle for joy rides but forget your ultimate destination, then the vehicle isn’t being utilized for its actual purpose.

What if I don’t have any destination? I’m happy with the joy rides.

This is where the mind tricks you and makes you feel like joy rides are good enough. The better destination, the permanent state of joy for yourself is simply being forgotten amid satisfying the pleasures for the human body (vehicle).

If we are talking only about a normal vehicle that you take on the road and you have the money to spend, joy rides are okay (although it is always advised to enjoy moderately, not in excess). However, we are talking about the most sophisticated vehicle, the human body in which we are currently traveling.
If we do not understand the proper destination to reach while we are in this body, then it could take a long time (many births in other bodies such as an ant, rock, tree, etc.) before we get back another human body to resume this journey!

Therefore, our sages and Vedic lore are constantly trying to educate us on the true destiny and the significance of the human body via the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatham, and other timeless teachings.

what is my destination, purpose of life?

The purpose of life is to transform ourselves into a beautiful flower pleasurable to the Lord and submit ourselves to the feet of the Lord.

As Gajendra said, “karasta kamala:nye:va pa:dayo:rarpitum tava” (my very purpose is to offer this lotus at your feet- if you are able to accept it, that is all there is to my existence).

A beautiful flower has all the attributes to give joy for others – it’s colour, texture, fragrance, etc. Similarly, if you wish to transform yourself into a good human being and offer your manas (mind/heart), vachas(words) and karma(deeds) in the direction of God’s will, then you have achieved the purpose of life – supreme bliss under the shade of God!

Manasye:kam vachasye:kam karmanye:kam sada:tmana:m

Don’t delay in becoming a good human being (by giving up the ego, dominating attitude, selfishness, and greed, all of which are simply the outcomes of thinking that the current body is permanent). Until one comes out of all these false identities and understands that the human body is only a vehicle to moving towards the ultimate goal, unpleasant consequences are sure to follow.

Sri Prahla:da preaches to his fellow classmates the same message – to not delay any further in doing the right thing with this valuable chance.

Kowma:re: a:chare:th pra:jnaha dharma:n
Durlabham ma:nusham janma
Tada:pi adhruvam ardhadam
Tato:ta yathata kusalaha kshe:ma:ya bhayama:srithaha
Sareeram powrusham yaavath navipadye:ta pushkalam

The human body is the most precious and sophisticated type of body. Don’t miss utilizing it for the best possible outcome because it does not last long. Don’t wait for old age to practice good deeds. This body can yield one the best of the fruits, the proper goal of life. Surrender to God and lead life in His service.

How do I attain the purpose of life?

Sri Krishna says to Uddava,

Nrude:ha ma:dyam sulabham sudurlabham plavam sukalpam guru karna dhaaram
mayaanukule:na nabhasva te:ritham pumaan bhavadbhim nature:th sa atmana

– Srimad Bhagavatham, 11-20-17

The human body is the junction to achieve anything, including the highest of the high goals. Let the captain (guru) lead your boat (human body) with the help of the wind (God’s grace). This wind blows in the direction of your goal and therefore you can travel quickly with ease. Otherwise, you will be leading a life where the purpose of life itself is lost.