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In the last Issue 207,
we discussed the reasons for development of ego in worldly life.
In this Issue we will discuss the reasons for development of ego
in spiritual life.
Ego due to intellect
| 1. |
Some
people rely on, or develop excessive ego about their intellect.
Hence, until they are intellectually convinced about the importance
of spiritual
practice and the need for devotion, they do not
commence spiritual practice. |
| 2. |
Venturing
to edit the writings of Saints:
While referring to a book which contained a collection of devotional
songs (bhajans) composed
by H.H. Bhaktaraj
Maharaj (Baba), a devotee pointed out that
the wordings, etc., in Baba’s devotional songs are not
grammatically correct. Hence, he offered to edit them and print
a revised version of the book. Although the writings of a Saint
may not be grammatically or musically correct, yet as they
are inspired from within, that is through the Para mode of
speech (vani) they have 100% divine consciousness (chaitanya).
Hence, changing the lyrics or musical composition means considering
oneself to be greater than God Himself! |
Ego about being knowledgeable
| 1. |
The great
Saint Sri
Ramakrushna Paramahansa would say, “The scriptures
are not holy texts but are bonds. If holy texts are not read
with a detached mind capable of discriminating between right
and wrong, then by reciting them the knots of hypocrisy, ego,
etc., within oneself are fastened further.” |
| 2. |
There
is also an anecdote about Vaman
Pandit, a renowned religious scholar in
India. He developed an ego that no one would beat him in debates
and religious studies. He would tour from place to place and
hold discussions with intellectuals and wise men and after
he defeated them would compel them to write letters of their
acceptance of defeat. He collected many such letters and was
once traveling to another town with them for another discussion.
Since it was evening he sat under a tree to perform the evening
ritual of sandhya (a ritual performed in the evening). While
doing so he spotted a brahmarakshas (a haughty, disdainful
spirit of a Brahmin) seated on its branch. When another brahmarakshas
attempted to sit on a neighboring branch, the first one would
not allow him to sit and said, “This place is reserved
for Vaman Pandit because he has high ego.” That very
moment, Vaman Pandit realized that his knowledge and ego were
taking him away from God-realization. He tore away all the
letters and proceeded to the Himalayas to undertake spiritual
practice. |
In the next Issue,
we will discuss some more reasons for the development of ego in
spiritual life.
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