One can say that the ultimate aim is to become one with the Divine and growing one, to manifest the Divine since that is the aim of creation itself.
Serving the Divine, bhakti, meditation and other forms of Yoga are all various means to achieve this aim.
However to be genuine the aim must spring up from within. Different people are in different stages of their development hence they have different aims that though temporary are yet like steps and stages towards the ultimate aim that will disclose itself when the time comes. These temporary aims may be fulfilling the family and social duties, serving humanity, working for the country, looking after the needy, philanthropy, pursuing knowledge, developing one’s possibilities, progress, gaining wealth, power, name and fame, creative activities etc which may either help or hinder shorten or prolong our journey towards the ultimate aim depending upon the attitude with which we pursue these.
We grow through all these and gaining various experiences eventually reach the point where the Divine for the sake of the Divine becomes our sole aim and reason for our existence. But this must come from within. It cannot be forced from outside.
Affectionately,
Alok da.
