Humility and merit go together

Humility and merit go together
24 Sep, 2007, 0035 hrs IST,N K Vijayaraghavan, TNN

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in his Valley of Fear, observes: “Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself but talent instantly recognises genius.” An old English proverb also notes, “Empty vessels make more noise”, while a Tamil aphorism conveys the message, Niraikudam thalumbathu (a vessel full of water doesn’t make gurgling sounds).

Indeed those who earnestly strive for excellence do not ever view others with a condescending or patronising look because they feel earnestly that they themselves have much to traverse in their own quest. They practically live out the message of the Tamil saint Avvaiyar, “What we have learned is just the size of a handful of sand; what we haven’t is as big as the entire sand in this vast earth.”

Egoism (ahamkara) is the root cause of all pride, vain boast and self-assumptions, which discount the merits in and accomplishments of others. In fact, in general, human nature is such that most tend to magnify their own sufferings, contributions made or help rendered. Many also lose themselves in orgies of self-pity, self-justification, self-aggrandisement, vain assumptions and fanciful imagination, through living in a fool’s paradise, evolved out of the hollowness, feelings of inadequacy and pretensions to superiority.

The seeking aspirant, on the other hand, is bestowed with a spiritual insight to look beyond his own limitations and thus be sensitised to the virtues, merits and beauty, which abound in the world around. Drawing thus from the cornucopia of blessings all over and obtaining lessons from others too, he becomes the prime beneficiary in his search for virtues and blessings, which would lead him on.

The beginning is thus through that self-effacing humility which admits to the deficiencies within and through a capacity to appreciate and learn from worthwhile things around. Such virtues cleanse the spirit of the retarding forces of egoism, pride and egotism.

This concept is conveyed brilliantly through a scene in the great Kannada film, Hamsagethe. The main character, Venkanna, in sheer ecstasy and gratitude within, embraces a tall rock, on the top of which a sparrow perches itself, as if to taunt him, “You have much to climb before you attain excellence.” Venkanna’s quest thereafter begins in right earnest.

The truly meritorious, not ever needing the crutches of self propagation, would obtain around him many to spread his fame. Indeed, when some one else blows your trumpet, the sound will carry twice as far!