Aptavani-2
383
This very ego makes people miserable. When you look at all the
stages of spiritual development, starting from the first through the
twelfth, you will understand that the ego has caused nothing but
misery. Such an ego is a mad ego. It makes a person believe he
is superior and yet others around him will not think so. That is
a mad ego; it is an ugly ego. The Chakravarti emperors used to
have an ego too, but it was a malleable ego. One could mold
it anyway one wanted. People accept such ego; it is a wise ego,
whereas the other is mad and foolish ego. We can ask this ego,
“When have you ever been at peace?”
Where will you find people who are thrilled to see you
and welcome you warmly telling you they could not do without
you? Instead, people will say, “Everything was fine until he
showed up!” You have suffered endless insults. What good is
such an ego? Why would you protect such an ugly ego? Why
would you take sides with it?
The ego should be wonderful, people should like it and it
should be malleable. You should ask the ego, “Show me your
record book. Show me instances where people have given you
respect. Show me where you have suffered insults. What kind
of happiness have you received? Has anyone ever held you in
high regard?” His father and brothers will also say, “He is
worthless!” So ask the ego, “Have you won anyone’s heart?”
Even if one were special to just a few people, the ego would be
considered good, but wherever he goes, people think, ‘It would
be nice if he goes away.’ That is an ugly ego. People may not
say anything to his face, but in their minds they say, ‘What is it
to me? He will meet his death through his bad deeds.’ Everyone
thinks of their own benefit except the Gnani Purush; the Gnani
is the only one who will tell it to you straight.
The ego that begets you a hearty welcome time after time
is an ego that is wise. But what use is the mad ego that will beget
you a hearty welcome the first time, but on subsequent