HUMILITY

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45-Excellence in humility is the only true ornament of the

spiritually mature

 

According to Tirukkural, venerated as the Tamil Veda, "Humility

elevates one to life eternal". This is what Bhagavan had to say on

this subject:

 

The power of humility, which bestows immortality, is the foremost

among powers that are hard to attain. Since the only benefit of

learning and other similar virtues is the attainment of humility,

humility alone is the real ornament of the sages. It is the

storehouse of all other virtues and is therefore extolled as the

wealth of divine grace. Although it is a characteristic befitting

wise people in general, it is especially indispensable for sadhus

(full-time spiritual seekers who have renounced worldly

responsibilities in order to seek enlightenment).

 

Since attaining greatness is impossible for anyone except by

humility, all the disciplines of conduct such as yama (a code of

conduct for dealing with world and other people) and niyama (rules

of conduct and behaviour pertaining to oneself), which are

prescribed specifically for aspirants on the spiritual path, have as

their aim only the attainment of humility. Humility is indeed the

hallmark of the destruction of the ego. Because of this, humility is

especially extolled by sadhus themselves as the code of conduct

befitting them…

 

The Supreme Lord, who is the highest of the high, shines unrivalled

and unsurpassed only because he remains the humblest of the humble.

When the divine virtue of humility is necessary even for the Supreme

Lord, who is totally independent, is it necessary to emphasize that

it is absolutely indispensable for sadhus who do not have such

independence? Therefore, just as in their inner life, in their outer

life also sadhus should possess complete and perfect humility. It is

not that humility is necessary only for devotees of the Lord; even

for the Lord it is the characteristic virtue.

 

Bhagavan often advised his devotees that the possession of humility

is the only sign of possessing grace, adding that humility should be

practiced in all walks of life. Those who are not humble cannot be

sadhus even if they are intellectually superior. Bhagavan showed

humility in every one of his actions. Although every one worshipped

him as God himself, he was unflagging in his humility. The following

incident is an example.

 

A sadhu who found fault with the conduct of the ashram manager once

lost his patience and was getting ready to indulge in violence. When

Bhagavan saw this, he immediately intervened and stopped, with his

gracious hands, the sadhu from pursuing this demonic act. He then

pointed out his ignorance with kind advice.

 

He concluded by saying, "My aim is not to interfere with your

freedom. As it appeared that your act was about to exceed all limits

of propriety, for the sake of protecting sannyasa dharma (the rules

of conduct that should be followed by sannyasins (those who have

taken the forth stage of life in which one completely renounces the

world and all one's relationships and in which one lives as a

mendicant monk)), if not for your own sake, I had to intervene,

although such interference is not my nature. I am not giving you any

advice. As you are residing here, I am saying all this

affectionately. If there is anything good in these words, accept

them. Elders have said that even the words of a child should be

accepted if there is merit in them."

 

In this way Bhagavan kindly explained sadhu dharma through his sweet

words and calmed the sadhu. From that day onwards, the sadhu was

totally transformed and became lucky enough to worship Bhagavan as

God himself. Even when Bhagavan was performing the unavoidable duty

of stopping the improper act of a sadhu who had taken refuge in

him, the humility he took upon himself is indeed the very apogee of

humility!

 

NOTE: TAKEN FROM "SRI RAMANA DARSANAM", BY SADHU NATANANANDA, EDITED

BY DAVID GODMAN, PAGES 77 TO 79