Yearning to `Win'

HASMUKH ADHIA





Normally, competition occurs among equals. Jealousy is felt towards those who are thought to be better off than or `superior' to us, and hatred or contempt is directed towards those we think are `inferior' to us. Ego is in respect of self. Ego is a feeling that “I am someone special“. What is wrong in competing; doesn't it lead to progress?
Swami Visharadanand of Prashanti Kutiram, Bengaluru, replied: competition brings about the attitude of `doing something only to win' rather than `excelling to bring out your best potential'. When `winning' and not `doing the best possible' is the attitude, it may also lead to use of unfair means as also compromise on the quality of work input.One must feel samatvam, or oneness, to overcome competition, jealousy and hatred. And one must understand the true nature of atma, that is, satchit-ananda, to overcome the ego. The same atma is the indweller of the body of all other persons, whose outward forms may be different.
If you understand the real nature of atma as the creator of this entire Universe, where is the need for you to feel superior or inferior to others and be egoistic? Also, where is the need to get approval of others in order to be happy? The Uddhav Gita gives the road map to reach this stage. First of all, you have to keep doing your given duty to the best of your capacity without ulterior motive, ego or `doer-ship'.
This is the path of Karma Yoga. This, then, will lead to purity of mind that is absolutely essential for enlightenment.