In the life of Sri Caitanya, we find a beautiful contrast.

One of His dear devotees was Kolavecha Sridhara, a poor banana seller who lived with very little. Another was Maharaja Prataparudra, the powerful king of Orissa.

Their lives looked completely different. One had almost nothing. The other had great wealth and influence.

Yet both were equally dear to the Lord. And both were equally happy.

Because each was sincerely trying to serve God with whatever they had.

Many people think humility means thinking less of yourself or becoming passive. But true humility is something much deeper. It means recognising that everything we have – our talents, opportunities, strength, intelligence, and even our very life – is a gift from God.

When we understand this, we stop trying to be the centre of everything. Instead, we ask, “How can I use what I’ve been given in service?”

The Bhagavad-gita teaches that our real happiness comes not from controlling life, but from surrendering to God’s will and doing our best with what He has entrusted to us.

The Bible teaches, ‘Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.’ The Bhagavad-gita reveals the deepest spiritual state of humility:

sarva-dharmān parityajya [Bhagavad gita. 18.66]

To surrender to the will of God, understanding: nothing is mine.

Some may think humility makes a person weak or unproductive. But Arjuna, after understanding the message of the Gita, acted with full strength by fighting a great war. This is an extreme and rare example but the lesson is clear:

We all have roles – we may be farmers, in business, finance, in science or technology, education, politics, or we may even be Swamis. But these roles are temporary. The substance of spirituality is how we live them, with the understanding that we are just the servants of the servants of the servants of the Lord.

When we humble ourselves before God and respect His presence in others, we become empowered with courage and enthusiasm that is not disturbed by results.

Everyone is striving to be successful, but inevitably in this world sometimes we lose and sometimes we fail. When we are influenced by the false ego:

But the Bhagavad-gita teaches in whatever role we have, to try our very best with courage and enthusiasm, and remain steady, whatever the result.

A beautiful story from the Ramayana illustrates this.

When Hanuman was building the bridge to Lanka, he was lifting mountains – trying his best to serve Lord Rama with immense strength. At the same time, a little spider was carrying tiny grains of sand, one at a time, to help build the bridge. From Rama’s perspective, what they were doing was the same. Both were trying their best to please the Lord with a humble heart.

Hanuman thought, “I can lift mountains only by Rama’s grace.”

The spider thought, “I can kick this piece of sand only by Rama’s grace.”

There was no pride or jealousy, just full respect and appreciation for each other. That they were both trying their best. This is humility. To do our best – whatever that may be – with gratitude, sincerity, and a desire to please the Lord.

– His Holiness Radhanath Swami