Imagine a tiny mouse approaching a majestic elephant and asking, "Excuse me, Elephant, can you step aside? I have lost my shorts, and I was wondering if you are wearing them?"

Just as the mouse's tiny shorts could never fit the massive elephant, our own pride and ego can blind us to our limitations. This scenario highlights a profound truth: our inflated sense of self can lead us to lose sight of reality. By recognizing the irony in this humorous situation, we are invited to reflect on our own tendencies towards this folly. Is there a way to lift the veil of pride? Let us uncover the wisdom hidden beneath its facade.

Our Illusion of Self-Significance

Pride is a master illusionist. It wraps us in the belief that we are the center of the universe, distorting our view of the vastness around us.

Here is a lesson from Socrates that sheds light on this.

One day, a man proudly boasted to Socrates about the grand house he had built. In response, Socrates pulled out a map of Greece to locate where this man’s city lay. As he zoomed in, the city appeared as a tiny dot. Zooming in further revealed the man’s colony as a dot within a dot. Finally, Socrates zoomed all the way in to bring the man’s house into focus, a mere dot within a dot within a dot. With a wry smile, Socrates asked, “Is this what you are so proud of?”  

This simple yet insightful moment is a reminder of how pride can cloud our perception. However, when we step back and see the bigger picture, we realize just how small we are in the vastness of the universe.

Much like a firefly that glows brightly in the dark but its light fades into insignificance as soon as the sun rises. Similar is the nature of our ego: it may shine brightly within our limited perspective, but in the grand scheme of existence, it is merely a small flicker.

Ask yourself, "When was the last time I truly understood the bigger picture?"

The Myth of Being Self-Made

Pride tempts us to believe that we are the sole architects of our life. In a world where we are urged to take credit for our achievements, the ego convinces us that the talents, beauty, wealth, or knowledge we possess are entirely our own. But what if all of it—from our accomplishments to the very breath we take—was enabled by a force much greater than ourselves?

Consider the story of a sadhu who spent 12 long years practicing severe austerities high up in the Himalayas.

After years of tireless penance, he finally had his first divine experience as he heard a voice from the heavens. “I am extremely pleased with your austerities. Ask for any boon, and I shall bestow it upon you,” said the voice.

Feeling proud of his unwavering dedication, the sadhu confidently replied, “Of course, I will ask, Lord. I have worked so hard. Why should I not ask?”

And then there was silence—for five long minutes. Finally, the voice returned, this time with a question: “Sadhu, are you asking for my causeless grace, or are you demanding the fruits of your efforts?”

When the sadhu arrogantly insisted that he deserved the fruits of his labor, something remarkable happened. The boulder, which had endured the presence of the sadhu for the last twelve years, chimed in, “O Lord, when this ascetic has fallen to the level of settling his accounts with You, please also settle my accounts with him. For the next 12 years, make me sit on his head!”

This moment was a turning point for the sadhu. He realized that whatever he had achieved—whether through arduous austerities or any other endeavor—was ultimately because he was supported by the Creation in many ways. Hence, even a spiritual feat is nothing but an unconditional shower of grace from the Almighty Creator.

In our unconscious pride, how often do we mirror the sadhu, forgetting that our material or spiritual success is not solely due to our own efforts?

Pride Cometh Before the Fall

Pride can make us think we are invincible. But the truth is, no matter how powerful or secure we feel, we are vulnerable to the realities of the world. History is filled with tales of lofty ambitions that claimed to be unassailable, yet, came crashing down.

Consider the Titanic—a ship touted as one that had never been made before.

When engineers and businessmen gathered to build the Titanic, they believed they had created a ship that was unsinkable. The captain, officers, and engineers were all convinced that no force could harm this marvel of engineering.

When its hull was brought to Belfast on the river Lagaan, it was seen as the largest movable object made by humans. It proudly boasted a double bottom and numerous watertight compartments. On its maiden voyage, the Titanic carried some of the wealthiest and most powerful people of Europe. But, just four days later, the ship struck an iceberg. Although the collision seemed minor at first, the Titanic’s hull was damaged beneath the waterline, and the ship sank within four hours, taking with it 1,500 lives.

The Titanic’s tragic sinking was a stark reminder: we often overestimate our abilities and talents, thinking we are infallible. But life humbles us, showing that no matter how great we feel, we are all susceptible to failure.

The Wisdom of Knowing Less

So, what is the sign of true humbleness? Humble people are eager to learn. Proud people are not teachable. Either they feel no need to learn from others, or else they are too haughty to request for knowledge. On the other hand, modest people realize that they do not know everything. They ask questions, invite feedback, and listen with open minds.

It is said: vidyā dadāti vinayaṁ, which means the sign of true knowledge is humility. Study the lives of the icons of history, and you will find a common virtue amongst them—they were all exceptionally modest.

Here is what some of them had to say:

“I was like a child playing on the seashore, while the whole undiscovered ocean lay in front of me” - Isaac Newton, the greatest scientist in history.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” - Socrates, the wise and world-famous philosopher of Greece.

“We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility” - Rabindranath Tagore, India’s first Nobel prize-winner.

The Christian saint, Saint Augustine called it “learned ignorance.” He explained that those who are ignorant are also unaware of the magnitude of their ignorance, and as a result, they believe they know very much. True learning brings us in touch with our ignorance, and this makes us humble.

Saint Bhartrihari, expressed similar thoughts:

yadā kiñcijjño’haṁ gaja iva madāndhaḥ samabhavam

tadā sarvajño’smītyabhavadavaliptaṁ mama manaḥ 

yadā kiñchitkiñchid budhajanasakāśhādavagataṁ

tadā mūrkho’smīti jvara iva mado me vyapagataḥ   (Nīti Shatak, verse 8)

“When I knew little, then with pride bloated like an elephant, I thought I was all-knowing. But when I associated with saintly people and got a bit of wisdom, my conceit was shattered, and I understood that I am such a fool.”

From Ego to Enlightenment

Much like intoxication—pride can distort our judgment. Considering ourselves to be significant, we often forget God’s magnificent glory and marvel. 

In the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna teaches that humility is a key virtue. Those who are humble, reflect a deep understanding of their place in the universe. They learn to recognize that it is through the grace of a higher power that we are able to achieve anything.

यत्कृतं यत्करिष्यामि तत्सर्वं न मया कृतम् ।

त्वया कृतं तु फलभुक्त्वमेव मधुसूदन ॥

“All that I have done and that I shall do is not done by me, but rather done by you, and you alone are the enjoyer of the fruit, O Madhusūdana!”

The ego is often described as "edging God out." When we forget God, the creator of the universe, pride takes over. Yet true spiritual growth is the recognition that we are but instruments of a higher power. Great sages and the holy scriptures teach us that ego limits our progress on the spiritual journey by blocking God’s glory and grace from shining through. 

That is why Saint Kabir said, 

जब मैं था तब हरि नहीं, अब हरि हैं मैं नाहि।

प्रेम गली अति सांकरी, तामे दो न समाहि।।

‘When the ‘I’ (ego) existed, my heart was devoid of the Divine. Now that God has entered my heart, my ego has slipped away. The path of selfless love is very narrow—it cannot accommodate two entities.’

Humble Doorway to Divine Glory

Actually, the closer we go to God, the more naturally humbleness manifests in us.  We may see a hill in the distance and think it is only as tall as us.  But in reality, it merely seems it is six feet high because we are very far away from it.  As we start walking towards the hill, we are able to see its massiveness and now appreciate how small we are in comparison. 

Let us take inspiration from the life of Saint Tyagaraja.

Tyagaraja, is revered for his devotional compositions in Carnatic music, which beautifully express his unwavering devotion to Shree Ram.

Tyagraja’s modesty was exemplified when the local king, Raja Sarabhoji, once invited Tyagaraja to compose a piece in his honor. The king offered land, wealth, and treasures in exchange for a composition praising him. However, Tyagaraja, who had always used his music to glorify Lord Ram, couldn't bring himself to compose for a mere mortal.

In response, Tyagaraja composed an impromptu piece titled Nidhi chala sukhama, which asks a rhetorical question:

nidhi chāla sukhamā? rāmuni sannidhi seva sukhamā, nijamuga balku manasā!

‘O mind, tell the truth. Are worldly treasures more gratifying than the bliss of the Lord Himself?’

Despite his extraordinary musical talents, Saint Tyagaraja remained an epitome of humility. He viewed his gifts as divine blessings meant to be used solely in service of the Lord, and not for worldly recognition. He saw himself as a mere caretaker of the craft, gifted by Bhagavan Ram. 

Tyagaraja's humility shines forth in another incident during his pilgrimage to Tirupati in 1839. Upon reaching the temple, he found the curtain closed for the afternoon, depriving him of the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. Overwhelmed with emotion, Tyagaraja composed a heartfelt kirtan, praying for divine grace to lift the veil of ignorance.

tera tīyaga rādā loni,

tiruppati venkaṭaramaṇa matsaramu

‘O Tirupati Venkataramana! Will You not remove the inner veil of anger, arrogance, and jealousy that has deeply rooted itself within me?’ 

Tyagaraja perceives the curtain hiding the Divine from his sight as a symbol of his own pride. Hence, he prays for divine grace, which alone can lift the veil of ignorance, allowing him to see God in all His glory. This sincere prayer underscores the ego's role as a barrier between humans and the Divine.

It is a universal truth that transcends time and cultures, echoing the words of the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, who so eloquently wrote, "Ego is the veil between humans and God."

Conclusion

As we journey through life, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Our accomplishments, talents, and existence are but a small thread in the intricate tapestry of the universe. Yet, it is in acknowledging our place within this grand design that we find true freedom. Freedom from the shackles of pride, freedom to grow, and freedom to discover our true potential. In the stillness of self-reflection, may we be empowered to lift the veil that shrouds our understanding, and find humility in our place within something far greater.

Watch the video below to unveil more wisdom on the path to humility:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luxB6bxxWMk

Take the First Step Today

●       To learn how to cultivate and practice Humility—the king of virtues, do read the book Golden Rules for Living Your Best Life by Swami Mukundananda.  

●       Subscribe to Swamiji’s YouTube Channel to deepen your understanding of various inspirational and spiritual topics.

●       Meditation to Feel Humbled - Guided Meditation by Swami Mukundananda

Practice ‘Humbleness’ through this guided meditation.

Resources

●        Mukundananda, S. (2024). Nourish Your Soul: Inspirations from and Lives of Great Saints. Rupa Publications Pvt Ltd: New Delhi, India.

●        How to Develop True Humbleness?

●        Achieving Anything in Life by Getting Rid of Your Ego - An Eye-opening video by Swami Mukundananda