Purpose of Life - An Unending Quest.

"Even stones, trees, rocks, etc. come into existence & wither away. What's the difference between you & them? If you're born as humans then leave some mark behind." - Swami Vivekananda

These sharp, stinging & penetrating words have had a profound effect on my mind. If we examine this quote, undoubtedly we will arrive at a conclusion that in spite of all advancements & technological progress we haven't been able to find the purpose of our life. According to Evolutionary biologists & Anthropologists, the only purpose of life is to proliferate your species & ensure their continuity. According to different religions, purpose of life is to attain divinity & to attain salvation of our soul. Different sections of human society will answer this question in different ways.

The answer to this question is a complex product of our socio-economic & political background. For someone born in a troubled tribal society or in a nation facing armed rebellion, the purpose of life cannot be the same as that of a person born in lutyens' delhi or las vegas. If we aren't driven by something then even a blow of wind can drive us somewhere. The whole purpose of life isn't about reaching somewhere or getting something. In my opinion, the only purpose of life is to be in control of your life. It's about tightening the grip of your life. The targets which we set for ourselves are nothing but an instrument to drive inspiration for ourselves, perennially.

While answering the question about the purpose of our life we think of it as an objective issue. If having someone in our life gives you a sense of fulfillment then it's not because of that person but it is due to our perseverance & your efforts to be with him/her that you have that fulfillment. If possessing few academic laurels gives you a purpose then it's your efforts in achieving it that gives you a purpose.

By painting life with different colors & giving it a anthropological or a religious color we will be doing gross injustice to it. We would be belittling life if we think of it or look at it through the narrow prism of achieving this or that.

The whole purpose of life is about being in control of it rather than being controlled by it. If we're able to work the levers of ourselves then rest all things are secondary. But for that 'If' we all would've had a clear cut purpose of our life. Maybe some day we all will be able to get away with that big fat 'IF'.