# Humility *On the importance of being humble in spiritual life* --- ### Tṛṇād Api Sunīcena > Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, tṛṇād api sunīcena—one should be more humble than a blade of grass. This is the qualification for chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Without humility, one cannot make spiritual advancement. — [[spoken/1966/660909le.ny|Lecture on Hare Kṛṣṇa Mantra, New York, 1966]] --- ### Eternal Servant > This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy that eternal servant. Either you accept or not accept, you are servant. You are never equal or greater than God. This understanding is humility. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Not the Enjoyer > We are not the enjoyer. Kṛṣṇa is the enjoyer. When we understand this, we become humble. The false pride—"I am the enjoyer, I am the controller"—this must be given up. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### More Tolerant Than a Tree > Taror api sahiṣṇunā—one should be more tolerant than a tree. A tree gives so much—shade, fruits, flowers—but asks nothing in return. This is the example of humility. — [[spoken/1966/660909le.ny|Lecture on Hare Kṛṣṇa Mantra, New York, 1966]] --- ### Give All Respect to Others > Amāninā mānadena—one should offer all respect to others and not expect any respect for oneself. This is the mood of a devotee. He gives respect but does not demand respect. — [[spoken/1966/660909le.ny|Lecture on Hare Kṛṣṇa Mantra, New York, 1966]] --- ### Pride Destroys > Pride is the enemy of spiritual life. Ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā. False pride bewilders the living entity. He thinks he is the doer, the controller. This pride must be given up. — [[spoken/1976/761016bg.cha|Bhagavad-gītā 9.3, Chandigarh, 1976]] --- ### Not Independent > You are not independent. You are under the control of prakṛti. When you understand this, you become humble. The proud person thinks he is independent, but that is illusion. — [[spoken/1976/761016bg.cha|Bhagavad-gītā 9.3, Chandigarh, 1976]] --- ### Approaching the Guru > One should approach the spiritual master with humility—tad viddhi praṇipātena. Praṇipāta means full surrender, full humility. Without this humble approach, one cannot receive spiritual knowledge. — [[spoken/1970/701219sb.sur|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.34–39, Surat, 1970]] --- ### Nothing Belongs to Me > Best thing is to return everything to Kṛṣṇa. Actually, if you think, everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa. Nothing belongs to you. When you understand this, you become humble. — [[spoken/1969/690510r1.col|Room Conversation, Columbus, 1969]] --- ### Can Chant Always > In this mood of humility—tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā amāninā mānadena—one can chant the holy name constantly. Without humility, constant chanting is not possible. — [[spoken/1966/660909le.ny|Lecture on Hare Kṛṣṇa Mantra, New York, 1966]] --- *10 quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on humility* [[wiki/quotes|Back to Quotes]]