Inner Richness is Humility, not Pride: Lessons from the Vachanamrut

The Quiet Enemy Within

Ego doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it whispers through our virtues, disguising itself as devotion, knowledge, or discipline. Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings remind us that ego isn’t only about arrogance or pride in worldly success—it can also seep into our spiritual pursuits. Whether we take pride in our bhakti (devotion), vairagya (detachment), or dharma (righteous conduct), the sense of “I” can quietly take root.

“I do not like ego—whether it arises from one’s virtues of bhakti, renunciation, understanding, or observance of vows.”

These words pierce through the spiritual façade that ego often hides behind. Even noble qualities lose their sanctity when they feed our sense of superiority. The ego, subtle as it is, thrives on comparison—the moment we think, “I am more devoted,” or “I understand better,” we drift away from the essence of humility that defines true spirituality.

The Humility of the Fruitful Tree

The Sanskrit Proverb that Teaches Us to Bow

There’s an ancient Sanskrit saying that perfectly captures the spirit of humility:

“The branches of a tree laden with fruit bend downward, just as virtuous persons bow humbly; but dry wood and fools never bend.”

A fruitful tree bends under the weight of its bounty, not because it is weak, but because it is full. Similarly, a truly virtuous person grows in humility as they gain spiritual maturity. The more they receive from God and Guru, the more they bow—with gratitude, not pride.

Virtue Without Humility is Hollow

When our virtues lead us to ego instead of surrender, they become obstacles on the path of moksha. Bhagwan Swaminarayan reminds us that even good deeds lose their power if they inflate the ego. True bhakti doesn’t make us feel greater than others—it makes us feel grateful for His grace.

“No matter how noble our qualities, if they breed ego, they hinder our spiritual journey.”

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The Mirror of Self-Reflection

Detecting Ego in Disguise

Ego rarely announces its presence. It hides behind our sadhanas (spiritual practices), our understanding of scriptures, and even our humility. One can appear modest externally but still nourish pride internally. To detect this subtle form of ego, we must cultivate honest introspection—regularly checking our intentions and reactions.

Do we serve to please God, or to feel recognized?
Do we learn to grow, or to appear knowledgeable?
Do we renounce for purity, or for prestige?

These questions serve as gentle mirrors to examine our hearts.

To know more about Bhagwan Swaminarayan: https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan.aspx

Vachanamrut Study App: thesatsanglife.com/vachanamrut

Anirdesh Gadhada Section 3, Number 26: https://anirdesh.com/vachanamrut/index.php?format=en&vachno=249