THE EVIL OF AHANKARA OR EGO

It is Impossible to find an individual without the quality of egotism or Ahankara! Thek inner adversaries or Arishadvargas include the quality of arrogance, pride and other qualities. While man is born with these qualities, he augments them as he grows and is liable to be undone by the same later.  Egotism is a form of Maya or illusion. The words Ahamkara and Aham, according to context, refer to the sense of “ I “ the   “ I “ , the ego or the ' I-ness'. According to Indian  philosophy and spiritual discipline it is the principal of individuation that gives rise to the sense of “ I “. This is a total identification of the body excluding the indestructible Soul or the Atma that is the cause of all activities in creatures! All struggles and sorrows of humanity arise out of this totally wrong identification of “ I “ with the body! The very purpose of human birth is to realize oneself or identify itself with the eternal Atma embedded in the innermost recess of the heart. Man is unable to realize God or recognize the Atma within because of his ego hovering over him like a cloud cutting off the  rays of the sun. As long as egotism persists God can never be realized.

Man' ego is the Maya or illusion that shuts out the light of God. The death of ego or “ I “ is absolutely essential for salvation which can happen only through the grace of God. Egotism is like a screen or cloth placed in front of you blocking your sight beyond. Thus it blocks God very near to you. Egotism is the root cause of the cycle of birth and death which man can never escape. Egotism is the heat that turns the Jiva haughty! In the picture of God Sri Rama we see Him in the front followed by his spouse Sita and brother Lakshmana. Lakshmana is very near to his brother Rama. In between them is Sita who prevents the full view of Sri Rama! In other words Sita is the Maya or egotism that prevents the total, full view of God! “I” and mine—this is ignorance; “  'Thou' and 'Thine'—that is true knowledge” asserts Sri RamaKrishna! For a true devotee God is the doer! He is only an instrument in the hands of God. Sri Sankara echoes the same idea in his “ Sivamanasa puja” stotram. “ Yadyat karma karomi tattadakhilam Sambho tavaradhanam” The sense of carrying out the orders of God should be ingrained in the heart of the true devotee. He should feel that he has the right to serve God according to His orders! Even saints and sages are the victims of the evil of Ahankara or egotism! Viswamitra created a new world for his disciple, king Trisanku. King Nahusha lost his kingship of Swarga through his arrogance or ego! Ravana, king of Lanka was destroyed through sheer egotism and belittling Sri Rama as an ordinary mortal!

Despite serious effort egotism doesn’t disappear. It may appear to lie low but springs up instantly according to circumstances. Egotism is not all bad. As in the case of Vidya and Avidya Maya, two types of egotism—Ripe and Unripe Egotism are recognized. A feeling that every thing one sees, hears, feels and even the body is not his but that of God indicates Ripe Ego! The individual realizes that he is eternal; he identifies himself with the Atma or Soul. Severe attachment to one's wife, children, property and body is the manifestation of Unripe ego. One with Ripe Ego considers himself as the servant of God whereas the the one with Unripe Ego is worldly wise, attached to wealth and lust. Is it possible to conquer this Ego? It is herculean task and almost impossible. “ You wicked “ I”, if you will not go by any means, remain as the servant of God.” Says Sri RamaKrishna. This is Ripe Ego that leads to God indicating ones progress in Bhakthi yoga or the path of devotion. One with Ripe Ego considers himself to be the instrument in the hands of God. 

Does it mean that the man of realization is devoid of any ego? Traces of its former existence remain but they are harmless! According to Sri RamaKrishna some great souls merged in God consciousness come down to earth for the good of mankind. They keep the Aham of Vidya which is similar to the higher self. But this ego is a mere appearance. A piece of rope retains its form when it is burnt. But it cannot be used for binding other objects! Likewise, the ego destroyed by the fire of true Knowledge is harmless!

It is said that Hanuman had the vision of God  both in His form-Sakara as well as formlessness—Nirakara! But he is conscious of his ego of a servant of God! Very great Brahma Jnanis and saints like Narada, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara considered themselves as servants of God only! They keep ‘the ego of Knowledge and  a trace of individuality for teaching others and saving truths of religion. We find in the world people with Unripe Ego not at all bothered about their essential Reality! They are more interested in transient pleasures of the world and attachment to their families, wealth and property! Very few are those that contemplate on this Unripe Ego and turn to develop the Ripe Ego! All problems shall be solved if you feel and believe that you are a servant of God carrying out His orders! He is the Master whom you obey implicitly! Everything is His and not yours! It is easier said than done! How many of us can think and act like that? That is the real question!