Finding the Cure for Today's Social Ills
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[householders],  vānaprasthas  [retired married people], and  sannyāsīs  [renounced monks].
The ultimate goal is that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, should be worshiped. So if you worship Kṛṣṇa, then you fulfill all your occupational duties, either as a  brāhmaṇa ,  kṣatriya ,  vaiśya ,  śūdra ,  brahmacārī , anything. Take to it immediately—take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is so important.
Interviewer:  If people really knew about a life-style that was more natural, more fulfilling, what would be the problem? They actually would, as you say, take to it.
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  But they do  not  know, and therefore there is no religion, simply a dog's race. The dog is running on four legs, and you are running on four wheels—that's all. And you think that the four-wheel race is the advancement of civilization.
Therefore, modern civilization is practically said to do nothing. Whatever is obtainable by destiny you will get, wherever you are. Rather, take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The example is given by Prahlāda Mahārāja that you do not want anything distasteful and yet it comes upon you. Similarly, even if you do not want happiness which you are destined, it will come upon you. You should not waste your energy for material happiness. You cannot get more material happiness than you are destined.
Interviewer:  How can you be so sure of that?
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  How shall I believe it? Because you get some distressful condition although you do not want it. For instance, President Kennedy died by the hand of his own countryman. Who wanted it, and why did it come? He was a great man, he was protected by so many, and still he was destined to be killed. Who can protect you?
So if the distressful condition comes upon me by destiny, then the opposite position—happiness—will also come. Why shall I waste my time for this rectification? Let me use my energy for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is intelligent. You cannot check your destiny. Everyone will experience a certain amount of happiness and a certain amount of distress. No one is enjoying uninterrupted happiness. That is not possible.
Just as you cannot check your distress, so you cannot check your happiness. It will come automatically. So don't waste your time for these things. Rather, you should utilize your time for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Interviewer:  Would a Kṛṣṇa conscious person not try for progress?
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  The thing is that if you try for progress vainly, then what is the use of that? If it is a fact that you cannot change your destiny,