Question: It was also said that “What we think about ourselves (aham) is a measure of how humble we are”. Is it correct to extrapolate it a little by thinking that “What/how much we know about Krishna determines our humbleness”? The more we know/feel the all-merciful, all-loving, all-attractive, all- beautiful and compassionate nature of Krishna, the more we are humbled? In this way, all the great souls like Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur and Srila Narottam Das Thakur know/feel so much about Krishna and hence they are so humble. Please enlighten.
Answer by Romapada Swami :
Our conception of self is very dependent upon how much we understand the Supreme Self and our relationship with Him. As Srila Prabhupada would say, self-realization depends upon God-realization, as much as we are able to see ourselves when we simultaneously perceive the light of the sun during daytime. Thus, we could say that the more we know of Krishna’s greatness, and in turn acknowledge Krishna’s greatness, the more we feel humbled. Conversely, one who does not know, or fails to acknowledge the fact, that Krishna is the actual controller, enjoyer and best-wishing friend of all and that we are simply His dependent servants — such a person cannot become truly free from pride, however much they may try to do so by other means.
