Humility is colossal power which is acquired if one distances oneself from having supremacy over others. The adamant desire in us to have control on others will hamper the ability to organize, focus, and implement our own actions. The illusion that we already know everything is the hindrance which crop up due to lack of humility and stop one from excelling to higher levels of enlightenment.
The habit of passing judgments on others and jumping to conclusions is the signs of lack of humility. Total new world of prospect will unfold before us, if the thought that we are better than everyone else is gone. With humility we start to accept the situation as it is, rather than demanding for the best. In this way we experience highest level of true abundance that we never could have imagined before.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares humility as the prime quality of a saint. The bird that soars on high sky builds the nest on the ground. Some of us are arrogant because we are proud of our knowledge, power, and status and think that we are rich, famous, and powerful. It is because we are always identifying ourselves with the material richness that we possess. It is an erroneous belief to identify with our body, mind, and intellect. All these are susceptible to damage and decay.
Once King Yudhishthira wished to perform Rajasuya Yajna and as per the rites of the Yajna all the five brothers had to take part in it. Yudhishthira was in a dilemma since there were none to take care of the guests if all the five brother took part in the rituals.
Messengers were sent out to invite all the kings and rulers of the land for the great Yagna. Thousands and thousands of them came with joyous hearts to the city of Hastinapura. Now to receive the guest in honour was the problem for the Pandavas as they were unable to leave the place of rituals. In the assembly of vast gathering Lord Krishna who understands the situation volunteers to do the job and sets example by showing his greatness in humility, and He washes the feet of the guests. What a beautiful lesson Lord Krishna teaches us as a gentle server that we must never disrespect any service, however humble it may be and that service of others is the highest duty.
In Ramayana, Hanuman is the icon of humility. At the time of search for Sitadevi when the group which had headed south stops at the ocean, and when all of them are worried about who could jump 100 yojana to reach Lanka. Hanuman who was capable of doing so does not boast that He could jump, but humbly waits to find if Angada or Jambavan could jump. Again when Hanuman was asked as to who He was, at the court of Ravana, king of Lanka, He proudly proclaimed in that he was the servant of Lord of Kosala (Sri Rama) “Dasoham Kosalendrasya.” Humility is such a strange emotion that the moment we think we have got it, we lose it.
Humility can be developed by submitting to the Supreme and legitimate authority and also by recognizing the values and talent of a person who has surpassed us and giving him due credit. By living each moment with humility, modesty, and gratitude the whole of life that surrounds us is wonderful. And we are sure to have found a treasure that is infinite.
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