Life often feels like an uncharted forest. We walk through familiar paths, yet each turn holds something unseen. Just like a lion tracker in the wilderness notices subtle signs invisible to others, we too can discover profound truths hidden within our daily lives. In fact, finding purpose in life is not just about success, but about aligning our actions with a deeper meaning that brings fulfillment.
In this blog, we will explore timeless wisdom from Swami Mukundananda’s discourse on the 4 Powerful Questions to Find Purpose in Your Life and Achieve Highest Happiness, and insights from The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life metaphor. Along the way, we’ll connect with the Bhagavad Gita’s timeless teachings, providing you with tools to live with clarity, courage, and joy.
1. The Art of Tracking Life: Lessons from the Wilderness
From the lion tracking tidbit in morning gems, we learn:
“The art of the way the tracker sees is the way he can look at the thing he has seen a thousand times and always sees something new.”
This is a metaphor for life. If we approach our experiences with fresh eyes, we uncover meaning even in routine moments. Tracking life requires:
- Observation – Noticing subtle signs within us.
- Patience – Waiting for clarity instead of rushing.
- Intuition – Trusting inner wisdom when the path is unclear.
- Courage – Walking forward despite fear.
💡 Quote: “If you track your authentic life and uncover its meaning, it will catalyze other possibilities for living, and what’s important to you will immediately change.”
In essence, tracking is about living consciously. Just as a tracker learns to embrace uncertainty, we must do the same when finding purpose in life.
2. What Truly Inspires Us? Acts of Goodness and Altruism
Swami Mukundananda shares a heart-touching story: An old lady’s note about losing ₹500 sparked compassion in 35 strangers, each of whom brought money to her. Though she hadn’t written the note, their collective altruism reflected the goodness within humanity.
Why do people act selflessly? Because such acts provide higher happiness, a joy far beyond temporary pleasures.
This echoes the wisdom of the Kathopanishad:
“Shreya (the good) may seem bitter like poison at first, but turns into nectar later. Preya (the pleasant) may seem sweet like nectar at first, but turns into poison later.”
Modern psychology describes this as the difference between hedonic happiness (short-lived pleasures) and eudaimonic happiness (deep fulfillment).
3. Hedonia vs. Eudaimonia: The Path of Lasting Joy
- Hedonia (Preya):
- Focuses on immediate pleasure.
- Leaves behind emptiness, guilt, or endless craving.
- Example: Social media scrolling for instant dopamine.
- Eudaimonia (Shreya):
- Rooted in higher purpose and values.
- May involve struggle, but leads to deep contentment.
- Example: Sacrificing comfort to mend a relationship or serve others.
💡 Quote: “People who chase hedonic delights all their life find that they are no more contented at the end of it than they were in the beginning.”
The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 18, Verse 37) guides us in the same spirit:
“yat tad agre viṣham iva pariṇāme ‘mṛitopamamtat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam”
“That which seems like poison at first, but tastes like nectar in the end, is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness. It is generated by the pure intellect that is situated in self-knowledge.”
Just as Shri Krishna explains in Bhagavad Gita 18.37, what feels like poison in the beginning but turns into nectar at the end is true sattvic happiness. When we align with this higher purpose, even ordinary actions blossom into lasting fulfillment and divine joy.
4. Stories of Purpose and Courage
One powerful example is Captain Mull during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. When his ship was sinking, he ensured all crew members evacuated safely. With no lifeboats left, he calmly sat on deck smoking a cigar, descending with his ship into the ocean. His heroic sacrifice reflected a life aligned with dharma and higher service.
💡 Quote: “If you have not found a cause you are willing to die for, your life is not worth living.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Such stories remind us that finding purpose in life often requires courage—to serve, to sacrifice, and to rise above personal fear.
5. The Four Powerful Questions to Discover Purpose
Swami Mukundananda suggests reflecting on these questions:
- Why am I here in this world? (Discovering your unique role in the universe.)
- What is the goal of human life? (Seeking truth beyond material success.)
- How can I contribute my talents to society and make a difference? (Turning personal skills into collective good.)
- What will give me inner happiness and peace? (Aligning actions with spiritual fulfillment.)
💡 Quote: “The higher purpose you determine for yourself should be so inspiring that pursuing it brings out your best qualities.”
These questions act as a compass, guiding us toward a purposeful and blissful life.
6. Bhagavad Gita’s Blueprint for Purposeful Living
Shri Krishna tells Arjun in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 9, Verse 27):
“yat karoṣhi yad aśhnāsi yaj juhoṣhi dadāsi yatyat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣhva mad-arpaṇam”
“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as oblation to the sacred fire, whatever you bestow as a gift, and whatever austerities you perform, O son of Kunti, do them as an offering to Me.
This teaching transforms everyday actions into sacred offerings to the divine as per Shree Krishna’s instruction to Arjun. Devotion is not to be restricted to the periphery of the temple room; it is to be engaged in at every moment of our lives.
Living with such nishkam bhakti (selfless devotion) leads to ultimate inner peace and fulfillment.
Sanskrit Verse:
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchanamā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
Meaning: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
This is the essence of finding purpose in life—working with dedication while surrendering outcomes to the Divine.
7. Practical Steps to Finding Purpose in Life
- Self-Reflection: Journal daily about what excites and fulfills you.
- Service: Volunteer or engage in activities that help others.
- Mindful Living: Reduce distractions and live consciously.
- Spiritual Practice: Meditate, chant, or study scriptures regularly.
- Continuous Learning: Like a tracker, always look at life with fresh eyes.
8. Call to Action
🌸 If you want to go deeper into these teachings and discover practical tools for spiritual growth, subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube Channel. His lectures beautifully bridge ancient wisdom and modern life challenges.
9. FAQs on Finding Purpose in Life
Q1. What does “finding purpose in life” really mean? It means aligning your actions, talents, and values with something greater than yourself—whether service, devotion, or a cause that uplifts humanity.
Q2. Is purpose the same as career? Not necessarily. While careers can reflect your purpose, true purpose is broader—it can be service, creativity, or spirituality.
Q3. How does the Bhagavad Gita help in finding purpose? The Gita teaches us to perform duty selflessly, dedicate results to God, and live in alignment with dharma, bringing peace and fulfillment.
Q4. Can my purpose change over time? Yes. As you grow spiritually and experience life, your sense of purpose may evolve.
Q5. How do I know if I’ve found my purpose? If you wake up with gratitude, enthusiasm, and joy for meaningful work, it indicates alignment with purpose.
10. Conclusion
Finding purpose in life is not a one-time discovery but an evolving journey. Like a tracker in the wilderness, stay alert, courageous, and patient. Embrace uncertainty, act with devotion, and serve a cause higher than yourself. In doing so, you unlock the highest happiness—a joy that is deep, enduring, and divine.
As the Bhagavad Gita teaches us, when every act becomes an offering, life transforms into a sacred journey of fulfillment.
References
- Swami Mukundananda, 4 Powerful Questions to Find Purpose in Your Life and Achieve Highest Happiness
- Morning Gems Tidbit – The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life
- Bhagavad Gita (Translations & Verses: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/)
