Superiority And Inferiority – In Gita Verse 2.8 I can find no means to drive away this grief which is drying up my senses. I will not be able to dispel it even if I win a prosperous, unrivalled kingdom on earth with sovereignty like the demigods in heaven.
In Bhagavad Gita Verse 2.8, Arjuna expresses profound despair: “I can find no means to drive away this grief which is drying up my senses. I will not be able to dispel it even if I win a prosperous, unrivalled kingdom on earth with sovereignty like the demigods in heaven.” This statement reflects a significant moment of self-awareness and humility. Despite his strengths and capabilities, Arjuna acknowledges his inability to overcome his sorrow, thus setting aside his ego and surrendering to Krishna’s guidance, willing to embrace the larger cosmic assignment.
When we become aware of our limited strengths and how we often misuse them, we can start to observe our own behaviours. Consider how we sometimes act with arrogance due to our small abilities or greater access to resources and opportunities compared to others. This lack of balance in handling our perceived superiority or inferiority stunts our growth and that of those around us. Whether we feel superior or inferior, we often become unconscious of our true selves.
To illustrate this, let’s examine two examples:
1. Example of Superiority: Tata
The cities of Jamshedpur and Mithapur were significantly developed by the Tata group. Initially, these towns were inhabited by tribal populations. Tata’s approach was not to impose superiority but to collaborate for mutual development. By recognising and nurturing the diverse talents of the local people, Tata created opportunities that led to stable infrastructure, employment, and education. The transformation allowed previously uneducated parents to see their children study and work abroad, gaining confidence and dignity. Tata’s ability to manage his superiority enabled the local population to grow and achieve financial independence, illustrating that fostering dignity in others can be profoundly rewarding and ego-reducing.
2. Example of Inferiority: Sabari
When Rama visited Sabari, the princess of the Bhil tribe, she maintained her dignity despite Rama’s higher status. She offered him fruits she had tasted, confident in her value and not succumbing to feelings of inferiority. Sabari’s self-assurance and strategic knowledge were evident, and she did not rush to offer her ideas until she was certain they were needed. This contrasts with how we often become overly eager to impress higher authorities, losing touch with our self-awareness.
Understanding and managing our feelings of superiority and inferiority can help us move from unconsciousness to self-awareness. The ego thrives on comparisons, whether making us feel superior or inferior. True self-awareness, however, transcends comparison. When we know our true selves, we recognise that we are neither superior nor inferior to anyone; we simply are.
Ego, being comparative, traps us in a cycle of feeling superior to some and inferior to others, causing internal conflict and dissatisfaction. For instance, you may feel superior to your subordinate but inferior to your boss, leading to a cycle of dominance and submission that prevents true happiness. Both feelings of superiority and inferiority are harmful; they are crimes against our true nature. Real self-awareness eliminates these comparisons, allowing us to see ourselves and others without judgement.
This is the essence of true spiritual communism, a state where comparison ceases to exist, and equality is naturally achieved. Historical figures like Karl Marx and Mao Zedong, despite their contributions, operated from a place of ego. In contrast, spiritual leaders like Gautam Buddha, Jesus, and Lao Tzu embodied true communism by transcending ego-driven comparisons, fostering genuine equality.
Reflecting on Arjuna’s words, he recognizes that even achieving the highest worldly success would not alleviate his grief. He refrains from comparing himself to others or even to his own strengths, acknowledging his helplessness despite his physical, mental, and emotional capabilities. This profound awareness and acceptance are the first steps toward overcoming the ego and achieving true self-awareness.
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