43 - Ego Surgery

On the last Sunday of the month, devotees used to assemble in Mission premises. Sometimes children used to sing Keertans. One of the children had a very good voice and he sung the Keertans very well. Mama used to praise him to encourage him. But the child became proud of it. He thought, ‘Nobody else could sing like me. I sing very well. Even Mama enjoys it. No one else should sing Keertan except me during assembly.’ If other children requested to sing, he would refuse them stubbornly. And he would retort insultingly, ‘You couldn’t sing. During assembly only those children should sing, who can sing nicely.’ Children used to keep quiet, because he sung regularly during the assembly.

Mama found this out. He thought that this was not proper. Therefore, Mama announced, ‘Today other children will sing Keertans during assembly. They should also get a chance.’ That child couldn’t say anything, because Mama himself announced this. But his ego was hurt. Other children were delighted. They bowed down to Mama and said, ‘Mama, we shall try to sing well.' Mama taught them, ‘If you sing for God only, you will be able to sing well.’ The child, who sung very well, stopped attending the assembly. He did not attend the next assembly. He completely stopped attending assemblies. Mama understood. The boy went to the Mission office after sometime. Mama called him and made him sit next to him. He asked, ‘Why don’t you attend the assembly?’ The child replied, ‘Just like that!’ Mama asked, ‘Without any reason, why did you stop attending assembly? I will tell you the reason why don’t you attend the assembly. Because I encouraged other children to sing Keertans, you felt bad. You feel that only you can sing well. You certainly sing well, but you are egoistic about it. This subtle ego covers up your virtues (qualities) and exposes your weakness of jealousy. The other children who can sing well, should also be given a chance, isn’t it?’ The child confessed, ‘When other children sing, I do not enjoy. I feel that I can sing better.’

Mama explained, ‘Only I can sing well and others cannot. This is an ego.' The child asked, ‘What could I do?’ Mama said, ‘Yes, I can teach you that. I can give you a proper solution. If any body part is damaged or decayed what does a doctor do?’ The child replied, ‘Doctor performs surgery. He cures that part through operation.’ Mama said, ‘Right! A doctor can perform surgery on our body. But no doctor can perform surgery of our mind. Only we can perform surgery of our mind and remove the dirt and cure disease. Your ego is your disease. You should remove it. You should perform your ego surgery.’ The child asked, ‘How?’ Mama explained, ‘I will help you in every possible way. I will guide you as required. You must make sincere efforts.’ The child promised, ‘I promise Mama, If you are ready to be my guide, I will make sincere efforts and I will throw out the disease of ego from my mind.’ Mama explained, ‘You must think that whatever virtues you have they all belong to Maharaj. You must surrender all your virtues to God. You must think that you are a Mukta residing in the idol of Maharaj and Shreeji Maharaj performs through you. When virtues belong to Maharaj and Maharaj performs through us, then who are we to feel (be)egoistic about it? Right? Such approach will destroy even the subtlest ego. Maharaj would be pleased.’

What a simple and effective solution to conquer ego which could not be conquered by great Yogis also! With such understanding, if we do not try to conquer our ego, forget the child, even a great scholar or a great Yogi cannot attain salvation.

Difficult words:
Stubbornly - With obstinance
Decay - Rotten thing or part
Ailment - Disease or symptoms of disease

Points to ponder:
- The drawbacks of a living being could be revealed through the help of an Anadimukta and could be cured through their blessings.
- The ailments of mind trouble more than that of body. They should be cured.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. When is the assembly organized in the Mission?
2. What did children do during the assembly?
3. Why was the child offended?
4. What was the reason to get offended, according to Mama?
5. What surgery did Mama prescribe for the child?
6. To whom should we surrender our virtues?

Fill in the blanks:
1. This subtle ego ___________ your weakness of jealousy.
2. You must surrender all your virtues ________ Shreeji Maharaj performs through you.