How to Get Rid of Pride?
(Abhimaan kaise Chute? )
(Abhimaan kaise Chute? )
Shree Hari
On the subject of pride it has come in the Ramayana -
Samsruti mool soolprad nana |
Sakal sok daayak abhimaana (Manas 7/74/3)
The number of demonaic qualities that are present, the evil qualities and conduct that is there, they are all living under the shade of "Pride". The feeling of "I am" my existence (a sense of egoism) is not as evil as pride is. A fragment (part, ansh) of God is free of flaws, but the feeling that I have some good qualities, I have many capabilities, I am knowledgeable and learned, I am very clever, I can speak eloquently, I am capable of explaining to others - in this manner, seeing something extra-ordinary in ourselves in comparison to others, is a very big flaw. If we see something great in ourselves whether it be our ability to meditate, remember God and be devoted to Him, whether it be chanting His holy Name, whether it be repeating the Lord's Name (japa), whether it is cleverness, whether it is our ability to do favors to others, whatever form of distinctive qualities that we see in ourselves, compared to others is PRIDE. This pride, is very harmful and it is very difficult to escape from it.
Pride can come as a result of being of a particular "jaati" (class, caste, race, nationality, etc.), or "varna" (order of life) or "aashram" (stage of life), or knowledge, or intellect. Pride can be of various sorts. I remember the entire Gita, I can teach the Gita, I can understand the extra-ordinary expressions and sentiments in the Gita - this too is pride. Pride is the cause of much down fall. Pride comes due to regarding that greatness, superiority, specialness, as being mine. One cannot get rid of this pride by one's own effort, rather the pride goes away by God's grace. As one undertakes more effort to distance his pride, his pride becomes further strengthened. If one tries any solutions and means to get rid of pride, that solution itself will further increase his pride. Therefore it is very difficult to be freed from pride. An aspirant must be extra careful and cautious with regards to pride.
An aspirant must become aware of that whatever special qualities that he sees in himself, they are not his, rather they have come from God. Therefore regard that special quality as God's only, not his own. Whatever extraordinary and special qualities that you see in yourself, has been given by the Lord - accept this firmly, then pride can go away.
The manner in which I can conduct divine chanting, no one else can do the same; there are many others, but there is none like me - in this manner, the moment you do comparison with others, at that very same moment, pride will creep in ! Sadhak should believe that I am not the doer, rather this is all happening by God's grace. Whatever special qualities that have come, they are not my own. If they were my own, they would remain forever, and I would have rights over them. It is only by thinking so that one can become free of pride.
It is God's immense grace that he does not let anyone's pride stay . Therefore the moment that pride comes, something collides with it. God by His immense grace makes us alert that do not regard anything as your own, I will do all your work. God destroys pride, He does not let it remain – this is most gracious, transcendental and extra-ordinary grace. (to be continued)
Pride can come as a result of being of a particular "jaati" (class, caste, race, nationality, etc.), or "varna" (order of life) or "aashram" (stage of life), or knowledge, or intellect. Pride can be of various sorts. I remember the entire Gita, I can teach the Gita, I can understand the extra-ordinary expressions and sentiments in the Gita - this too is pride. Pride is the cause of much down fall. Pride comes due to regarding that greatness, superiority, specialness, as being mine. One cannot get rid of this pride by one's own effort, rather the pride goes away by God's grace. As one undertakes more effort to distance his pride, his pride becomes further strengthened. If one tries any solutions and means to get rid of pride, that solution itself will further increase his pride. Therefore it is very difficult to be freed from pride. An aspirant must be extra careful and cautious with regards to pride.
An aspirant must become aware of that whatever special qualities that he sees in himself, they are not his, rather they have come from God. Therefore regard that special quality as God's only, not his own. Whatever extraordinary and special qualities that you see in yourself, has been given by the Lord - accept this firmly, then pride can go away.
The manner in which I can conduct divine chanting, no one else can do the same; there are many others, but there is none like me - in this manner, the moment you do comparison with others, at that very same moment, pride will creep in ! Sadhak should believe that I am not the doer, rather this is all happening by God's grace. Whatever special qualities that have come, they are not my own. If they were my own, they would remain forever, and I would have rights over them. It is only by thinking so that one can become free of pride.
It is God's immense grace that he does not let anyone's pride stay . Therefore the moment that pride comes, something collides with it. God by His immense grace makes us alert that do not regard anything as your own, I will do all your work. God destroys pride, He does not let it remain – this is most gracious, transcendental and extra-ordinary grace. (to be continued)
From book in hindi "Mere toh Giridhar Gopal" by Swami Ramsukhdasji
Ram Ram
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If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
FOR MESSAGE IN HINDI PLEASE VISIT Date : 13th September, 2012 (Abhimaan kaise Chute? ) http://www.satcharcha.blogspot.in
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