The first person we need to assess for ego isn’t someone else — it’s ourselves. But before identifying signs of an overinflated ego, let’s understand what ego truly means. In the Bhagavad Gita, verse 7.4, Krishna describes eight components of His nature: “Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and ego.”
The Sanskrit word used for ego is ahankara, meaning “I am the doer.” This sense of being the doer is natural when performing our duties. However, it becomes problematic when one starts to believe that they alone are responsible for success.
In reality, the Gita (18.14) states that there are five factors behind every action: the place of action, the doer, the instruments used, the various efforts, and divine providence. So how does ahankara relate to the commonly used term “ego”? In modern language, ego often refers to self-esteem or self-importance.
Though not identical in meaning, we’ll use the term “ego” here for convenience.What are the signs of an overinflated ego? The most obvious is a lack of humility. A person with a large ego constantly seeks attention, craves importance, and often justifies their actions — even when wrong. They rarely accept feedback or correction, thinking they are better than others. This mindset halts growth. While each of us is unique, we are not superior to others. Personally, I don’t want to be such a person. I’ve realised the dangers of an overinflated ego, it isolates us, limits our ability to form genuine connections, and blinds us to wise counsel. Egoists often ignore sound advice and act without considering different perspectives.
This makes them prone to mistakes. In contrast, a humble person recognises their limitations, values input from others, and remains grounded. Humility enhances decision-making and fosters collaboration. So how can we overcome this common weakness? Most of us, even if not outright egoistic, carry the subtle belief that we are solely responsible for our successes. It’s not easy to limit ourselves to just our part and genuinely acknowledge the contributions of others — including God.
A devotee sees all five elements of success, including divine grace. Circumstances often align through no effort of our own. For instance, if rain holds off during an outdoor wedding or a skilled priest becomes available during the busy season — are these not signs of God’s favour?
Even our physical ability to perform duties, such as a father recovering in time for his daughter’s wedding, is a blessing. Recognising these as God’s arrangements helps curb ego. To keep ego in check, the first and most essential quality is humility. Second, we must avoid comparing ourselves to others. What’s the point?
With over eight billion people on the planet, someone will always be more talented or successful. Instead, train yourself to sincerely appreciate others. Lord Krishna Himself praised Arjuna repeatedly to encourage him to follow the path of righteousness. Learning to see the good in others softens the ego.
It also helps to seek guidance — either from a genuine spiritual teacher or a wise friend. Personally, I’ve had a long-standing struggle with my own ego. Becoming aware of its harm was the first step, but changing was much harder. Our identity is often intertwined with our ego, and letting go can feel like losing ourselves.
Still, I persevered. I prayed sincerely for help and received support through divine intuition and a spiritual friend, who reminded me, “Humility brings God closer. When we feel superior, God distances Himself.”
That truth struck me deeply. I need God’s presence in every part of my life. Prayer has been a powerful tool in reducing my ego. One cannot be both truly devoted and arrogantly self-centred.
Before closing, let’s consider: how should we deal with egoistic individuals? After all, we encounter them often. The Gitaadvises in verse 3.26 that the wise should not disturb the minds of the ignorant, but rather inspire by example.
Don’t try to correct them forcefully. Instead, remain calm, lead with conduct, and focus on your own growth. We are not responsible for fixing others — we’re responsible for ourselves.
(The author is a spiritual teacher and wellness guide. Views are personal)
