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What Do You Have to Be Proud Of?

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
26 June 2026
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Part 9 of Bhakti Upliftment Series

What Do You Have to Be Proud Of? by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

(Excerpt of a speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

Why doesn’t an individual go toward God? 

Queen Kunti understood the answer to this question. In her famous prayers in the Srimad Bhagavatam, she did not ask Shri Krishna for wealth, comfort, prosperity, or freedom from difficulties. In fact, she prayed:

“Let calamities come again and again, because in those moments I remember You and receive Your darshan.”

Because Kunti understood a great spiritual truth. When a person acquires wealth, beauty, status, learning, or power, pride often arises. And pride becomes a barrier between the soul and God. In times of difficulty, however, a person remembers his helplessness and naturally seeks God’s shelter.

But what reason does a human being have to be proud? It would make sense if celestial beings were proud. Kamdev (the celestial god of love and beauty) is extraordinarily handsome. Kuber (the celestial treasurer and god of wealth) possesses immense wealth. Indra (the king of the celestial gods) enjoys great power and opulence. If such personalities were proud, one could at least understand the reason. But what do you possess?

Now reflect upon your own condition. Consider the state of your intellect. You are instructed to do something, and within fifteen minutes, you have forgotten it. Remember, I am speaking of highly educated and accomplished professionals. Such is the strength of the intellect of which we are so proud. 

And what of physical beauty? Beauty, too, is temporary and fleeting. We become captivated by outward appearances, yet the reality of the body is quite different. Bring your nose close to a person’s mouth, and you will notice an unpleasant odour – even if that person happens to be Miss Universe. You take a bath, and before long, the body begins to perspire again. Such is the nature of this physical body. Despite its impermanent and ever-changing condition, we remain deeply attached to it and take great pride in its appearance. 

And what of wealth? What exactly are you proud of? The wealth you possess today offers no guarantee of remaining with you tomorrow. In a single moment, circumstances can change and everything can be lost. Yet despite this uncertainty, people remain proud of their wealth and status. This is truly astonishing. 

A person may have no wealth, no position, and no possessions, yet he still finds something to be proud of. He says, “I am young. I am only eighteen years old. I am only twenty years old.” Youth itself becomes a source of pride. It has a way of intoxicating the mind, creating a sense of confidence and invulnerability. A person begins to believe that old age is far away, that misfortune will never touch him, and that his strength and appearance will remain unchanged. In this way, even youth becomes another basis for pride and self-delusion. 

The scriptures say that even an unattractive girl becomes proud because of her youth. Once a celestial being appeared before such a girl and offered her a boon. “Ask for whatever you want.” She replied, “Give me whatever you wish.” The celestial being said, “All right, shall I make you beautiful?” She immediately slapped him in anger and said, “Are you saying that I am ugly?” No one thinks himself unattractive. No one thinks himself insignificant. The mind always finds something to be proud about.

The same thing happens in worldly life. A high-school graduate asks another man, “How far have you studied?” The other replies, “Only till eighth grade.” Immediately the high-school graduate becomes proud. Then a person with a master’s degree arrives, and that pride disappears. This is how the world functions. 

When you see someone possessing less than you, you become proud. When you see someone possessing more than you, you become deflated. Seeing those below us, we feel superior; seeing those above us, we feel insignificant. Our pride and self-importance rise and fall according to whom we compare ourselves with. The more worldly possessions you accumulate, the greater your pride becomes.

This is why Shri Krishna says that when He especially graces an individual, He may take away worldly opulence. Why? Because those very possessions increase attachment and pride. Wealth, beauty, status, and recognition make a person forget God and become absorbed in the world. Therefore, what appears to be a loss may actually be divine grace. God removes the cause of pride so that the soul may finally look toward Him.

But be careful. Pride does not remain confined to worldly life. It enters sadhana as well. Suppose tears come while taking the Name of God. The person sitting next to you is not crying. Immediately you begin to think, “Look at my devotion.” You have made a mistake. Pride has entered your sadhana.

Even tears can become a cause of pride.

Great saints hide such things. They do not display their devotional ecstasies before others. They have such control that even their sattvic bhav remains concealed. Outwardly, they appear completely normal.

In the beginning, however, a devotee may not be able to control these emotions. A half-filled water pot shakes the most. Similarly, when a person first begins to experience devotional bliss, he may become overwhelmed by it. But as he advances further, he gains increasing control.

Therefore, remain very careful. Do not allow pride to enter your heart. Whatever devotion you have, whatever knowledge you have, whatever spiritual experience you have, understand that it is all the grace of God. Remain humble.

Reflect on this when you are alone. There is no need to discuss it with others. Simply ask yourself, “What do I truly have to be proud of?” You have been deprived of divine happiness since eternity. If a man is denied food for ten days, he cries and begs for food. Yet you have been deprived of true happiness for countless lifetimes and still you do not cry before God. Why? Because pride remains within.

When you see a devotee sitting beside you with tears flowing from their eyes in remembrance of God, you should reflect within yourself: “Why am I not like that? What is lacking in me? Why does my heart not melt? Why am I unable to shed tears for God?” Yet such thoughts rarely arise. Why? Because we remain careless and complacent. Pride still lingers within us, preventing us from recognizing our true spiritual condition. 

As long as pride remains, true humility cannot arise. And until humility arises, the heart cannot cry out to God with genuine longing. 

Therefore, reflect deeply on this. What do you really have to be proud of?

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.