Material Ego Versus Spiritual Egoism

The Material Ego defines the very nature of material existence. It is the specific element that causes the spirit soul to become grossly self-centered, leading to the false idea that one is the proprietor and master of all he surveys. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this materialistic egoism is the root cause of the conditioned soul's bondage, preventing him from accepting the supremacy of the Supreme Lord.

The Ego's Place in Cosmic Creation

The Material Ego is one of the eight inferior, separated energies of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. It is not an eternal spiritual element, but a subtle material product that springs directly from the Mahat-tattva (the total material energy) at the time of creation.

• The material ego springs up from the mahat-tattva, which evolved from the Lord's own energy. The material ego is endowed predominantly with active power of three kinds - good, passionate and ignorant.
• It is from these three types (good, passionate and ignorant) of material ego that the mind, the senses of perception, the organs of action, and the gross elements evolve.

The entire cosmic creation, from the five gross elements to the mind and senses, are products of this materialistic ego. The creator, Kāraṇābdhiśāyī Viṣṇu (Mahā-Viṣṇu), is the master of this material ego and all its functions.

The Delusion of Material Egoism

The soul carried by the material ego is known as Ahankāra-vimūḍhātmā. This is the state where one is convinced that by "material adjustment, everything will be done nicely," foolishly thinking himself to be the doer and supreme controller.

• Ahankāra-vimūḍhātmā, those who are carried by the material egotism, they cannot understand. They are thinking that by material adjustment everything will be done nicely. No. That is not possible.
• Materialistic ego, or the sense of identification with matter, is grossly self-centered, devoid of clear knowledge of the existence of God.

The perseverance of this materialistic ego is the cause of all material bondage, as the soul is willingly covered by the false sense of "myself" and "mine."

From Material Ego to Spiritual Egoism

Progress in cultivating the human spirit requires the gradual disappearance of the materialistic ego. This elimination is achieved by replacing the material illusion with the Spiritual Egoism of Ahaṁ brahmāsmi (I am spirit soul).

• Progress in cultivating the human spirit entails the gradual disappearance of the materialistic ego. Covered by ignorance, passion, and so-called goodness, the spirit soul thinks himself all in all and is covered by a false sense of ego.
• They'll tolerate material egoism, "We are doing this humanitarian service." That they... And spiritual egoism he'll not. That I replied, that this is real egoism, Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. And I'm: "Ahaṁ dog asmi." (laughter) That is not very good pride.

Lord Rudra, the controller of the false ego, himself enters the gigantic cosmic form to transact objective actions, demonstrating that even powerful deities are tied to the functioning of this subtle material element.

Conclusion

The Material Ego is the self-centered pride that keeps the soul locked in conditional life. True liberation is achieved when the materialistic ego is amalgamated with the total material energy and subsequently merged into the Supreme Energetic. This systematic process reawakens the Spiritual Egoism of being Kṛṣṇa's eternal servant, ending all self-centered delusion.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Material Ego. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.