The Meaning of Ego in Bhagwat Gita

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Ahamkaara vs Ego

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In my view, the distinction between Ahamkaara and Ego is subtle yet profound, especially when viewed from a philosophical and spiritual lens. Ahamkara is a tool that can be refined, whereas ego is an illusion that must be dissolved. If Ahamkara leads to the realization that all is one, it becomes a stepping stone to enlightenment. But if it binds one to the material world, it becomes just another name for ego.

1. Ahamkaara (अहंकार):

   • Ahamkaaraa is a Sanskrit term that refers to the “I-making” principle, the sense of individual identity or selfhood. It is the aspect of consciousness that identifies with the individual self or Atman. The core idea behind Ahamkaara is the notion of “I am” or “I exist,” and it is linked to the sense of individuality.
   • From a spiritual perspective, Ahamkaara is not inherently negative. It can even be seen as something positive when one realizes their true, higher self. In the highest form of Ahamkaara, a person recognizes their unity with the divine, the Brahman—the ultimate reality. This realization is described as recognizing: “I am Brahman, I am the cause of everything.” At this stage, Ahamkaara is aligned with the highest truth, the understanding that the individual self is one with the universal self.
   • Therefore, Ahamkaara can be constructive when it is aligned with spiritual wisdom and the recognition of one’s true, divine nature.

2. Ego:

   • Ego in a psychological or worldly sense refers to the false sense of identity that arises from attachment to the body, mind, and material possessions. It is often rooted in the belief of separation and individualism. The ego constructs an image of the self as distinct and separate from others and the world.
   • The problem with the ego is that it leads to a distorted view of reality, where the individual becomes attached to the notion of being separate from everything else. This results in a sense of superiority, pride, and isolation. The ego’s greatest illusion is that the body—composed of earth, fire, air, and water—is the center of the universe and the source of everything, which the text points out as “foolishness.”
   • Ego is seen as the cause of suffering because it creates conflict, desires, and attachments, while Ahamkara in its highest form transcends all such illusions.

Key Difference:

• Ahamkara is the sense of “I” or self-identity, which can be aligned with spiritual wisdom and truth. It can lead to understanding of oneness with the universe.
• Ego, on the other hand, is a misidentification with the body and mind, fostering separation and attachment. It creates a false sense of self that leads to pride, desires, and ultimately suffering.

Bhagwat Gita Sloka with work Ahamkar

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Let’s look Bhagwat Gita Sloka with this word “Ahamkar”

1. विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः । निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥2-71॥
2. प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः । अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥3-27॥
3. भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च । अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ॥7-4॥
4. अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च । निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥12-13॥
5. महाभूतान्यहङ्कारो बुद्धिरव्यक्तमेव च । इन्द्रियाणि दशैकं च पञ्च चेन्द्रियगोचराः ॥13-6॥
6. इन्द्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यमनहङ्कार एव च । जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखदोषानुदर्शनम् ॥13-9॥
7. अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः । मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः ॥16-18॥
8. अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः । दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥17-5॥
9. यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः । क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥18-24॥
10. अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् । विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥18-53॥
11. मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि । अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ॥18-58॥
12. यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे । मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥18-59॥

Meaning of These Slokas

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The term “Ahamkar” (अहङ्कारः) in Sanskrit, derived from “aham” (I) and “kara” (maker or doer), literally means “the sense of I-ness”. We can also take it as “Aham Akaram Ashmi” mean “I am the first”, i.e. everything else is second to me. In the context of the Bhagavad Gita, it refers to the identification of the self with the body, mind, or material existence, leading to a false sense of individuality and separation from the Supreme. It is a key concept in Indian philosophy, particularly within the framework of Samkhya and Vedanta, where it is seen as one of the elements of Prakriti (material nature) and an obstacle to spiritual liberation. Let’s analyze its meaning across the verses from the Bhagavad Gita:

1. Verse 2.71

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Text: विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति॥
Translation: That person who abandons all desires, moves free from longing, without possessiveness or ego (nirahankarah), attains peace.
Meaning of Ahamkar: Here, ahamkar refers to the ego or the sense of self that clings to individuality and personal identity. Being “nirahankarah” (free from ego) implies transcending the false notion of “I” as the doer or possessor, which leads to inner peace.

A seeker can ask the question if there is no Ahamkar then who gets the peace? Because physical body don’t care about peace and mind is like a lake of waves made of thoughts.

2. Verse 3.27

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Text: प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते॥
Translation: All actions are performed by the qualities (gunas) of nature (Prakriti), but one whose mind is deluded by ego (ahamkara-vimudha-atma) thinks, ‘I am the doer.’ is a fool.
Meaning of Ahamkar: In this verse, ahamkar is the deluded sense of self that wrongly attributes agency to the individual rather than recognizing that actions stem from the interplay of nature’s gunas. It signifies ignorance and misidentification with the material self.

3. Verse 7.4

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Text: भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च। अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा॥
Translation: “Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect, and ego (ahamkar)—these are My eightfold divided material nature (Prakriti).”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Here, ahamkar is explicitly listed as a component of Prakriti, the material energy. It is the principle of self-awareness or individuality within the material framework, distinct from the soul (Purusha), and serves as the root of personal identity in the physical world.

4. Verse 12.13

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Text: अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
Translation: “One who is free from hatred toward all beings, friendly and compassionate, without possessiveness or ego (nirahankarah), equal in happiness and distress, forgiving…”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Nirahankarah (absence of ego) highlights a state of humility and detachment from self-centeredness, a quality of a devotee who sees all beings as equal and connected to the Divine, rather than asserting personal superiority.

5. Verse 13.6

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Text: महाभूतान्यहङ्कारो बुद्धिरव्यक्तमेव च। इन्द्रियाणि दशैकं च पञ्च चेन्द्रियगोचराः॥
Translation: “The great elements, ego (ahamkar), intellect, the unmanifest (avyakta), the ten senses, the mind, and the five objects of the senses…”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Similar to 7.4, ahamkar is a constituent of the field (kshetra), the material body and mind. It is the faculty that creates the sense of “I” and “mine,” binding the soul to material existence.

6. Verse 13.9

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Text: इन्द्रियार्थेषु वैराग्यमनहङ्कार एव च। जन्ममृत्युजराव्याधिदुःखदोषानुदर्शनम्॥
Translation: “Detachment from sense objects, absence of ego (anahankar), and perception of the suffering inherent in birth, death, old age, and disease…”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Anahankar (non-ego) denotes freedom from pride and self-identification with the body or material achievements. It is a sign of wisdom that recognizes the impermanence of the material self.

7. Verse 16.18

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Text: अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः। मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः॥
Translation: “Clinging to ego (ahamkar), power, arrogance, desire, and anger, these envious ones hate Me in their own bodies and those of others.”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Here, ahamkar is a negative trait of the demonic (asuric) nature, fueling pride, self-importance, and hostility toward the Divine. It represents an exaggerated sense of self that opposes spiritual truth.

8. Verse 17.5

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Text: अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः। दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः॥
Translation: “Those who perform severe austerities not sanctioned by scripture, conjoined with hypocrisy and ego (ahamkar), driven by lust and attachment…”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Ahamkar is linked to ostentation and self-glorification in misguided spiritual practices. It reflects a false sense of pride in one’s actions, devoid of true devotion.

9. Verse 18.24

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Text: यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः। क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम्॥
Translation: “But action performed with desire for reward or with ego (sahankara), involving much effort, is declared to be in the mode of passion (rajas).”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Sahankara (with ego) indicates actions driven by self-interest and the need for recognition, characteristic of the passionate mode, which binds one to material outcomes.

10. Verse 18.53

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Text: अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम्। विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते॥
Translation: “Having abandoned ego (ahamkar), power, arrogance, desire, anger, and possessiveness, free from ‘mine-ness’ and peaceful, one becomes fit for realizing Brahman.”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Ahamkar is an obstacle to liberation, representing attachment to the false self. Letting go of it is essential for attaining unity with the Supreme.

11. Verse 18.58

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Text: मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि। अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि॥
Translation: “With your mind fixed on Me, you will overcome all obstacles by My grace. But if, due to ego (ahamkarat), you do not listen, you will perish.”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Ahamkarat (because of ego) signifies pride or self-reliance that rejects divine guidance, leading to downfall.

12. Verse 18.59

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Text: यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे। मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति॥
Translation: “If, relying on ego (ahamkar), you think, ‘I will not fight,’ this resolve of yours is in vain; your nature will compel you.”
Meaning of Ahamkar: Ahamkar here is the false sense of control or independence that resists one’s inherent duty (svadharma), yet it is ultimately powerless against the forces of nature.

Summary of Ahamkar’s Meaning

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Across these verses, ahamkar consistently refers to:

1. Ego or False Self: The mistaken identification of the eternal soul with the temporary body, mind, or material possessions (e.g., 3.27, 7.4, 13.6).
2. Obstacle to Liberation: A barrier to peace and spiritual realization, overcome by detachment and humility (e.g., 2.71, 12.13, 18.53).
3. Source of Negative Traits: Pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness that characterize ignorance or demonic tendencies (e.g., 16.18, 17.5).
4. Illusion of Agency: The delusion of being the doer, which binds one to material existence (e.g., 3.27, 18.24, 18.59).

Translation and Commentry on Bhagwat Gita

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is available at https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad/

• Hindi Translation By Swami Ramsukhdas
• Hindi Translation By Swami Tejomayananda
• Hindi Translation Of Sri Shankaracharya’s Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Harikrishnadas Goenka
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Shankaracharya
• Hindi Commentary By Swami Chinmayananda
• Hindi Commentary By Swami Ramsukhdas
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Abhinavgupta
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Ramanujacharya
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Anandgiri
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Jayatirtha
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Madhvacharya
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Vallabhacharya
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Madhusudan Saraswati
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Sridhara Swami
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Vedantadeshikacharya Venkatanatha
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Purushottamji
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Neelkanth
• Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Dhanpati
• English Commentary By Swami Sivananda
• English Translation By Swami Sivananda
• English Translation By Purohit Swami
• English Translation By Swami Gambirananda
• English Translation Of Sri Shankaracharya By Swami Gambirananda
• English Translation By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
• English Translation of Abhinavgupta’s Sanskrit Commentary By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
• English Translation of Ramanujacharya’s Sanskrit Commentary By Swami Adidevananda
• English Translation By Swami Adidevananda