The Bhagavad-gita (13.08) commends humility as the first among the virtues of the enlightened. And it also commends protecting one’s honor, the seeming opposite of humility. The Gita (02.34) warns Arjuna that abandoning his duty will invite dishonor that will be gossiped about for time immemorial and will hurt worse than death.

Wouldn’t being dishonored help one to become humble?

Honor shouldn’t be confused with pride or arrogance, which is the opposite of humility.

Not necessarily, because authentic humility grows not by being disrespected externally, but by finding inner fulfillment and thereby becoming detached from external respect.

Life’s purpose and the Gita’s central message is neither humility, nor honor – it is dutifulness, specifically dutifulness towards Krishna, which is actually our nature as souls. Such devotional dutifulness helps us gradually attain spiritual love for him, which alone grants lasting fulfillment. Both humility and honor are meant to assist in devotional dutifulness.

By cultivating humility, we make decisions based on not what will be praised as good but what will actually be good as per scripture.

By cultivating honor, we ensure that we stick to our word and our duty, even when it is difficult. In a cultured society, dutifulness is honored and irresponsibility is dishonored. Thus, honor inspires us to stick to our duty.

Honor shouldn’t be confused with pride or arrogance, which is the opposite of humility. The arrogant live for praise. In contrast, the honorable live for duty. For them, the social reality that abandoning duty will attract dishonor is a supplementary spur for living dutifully.

Honor and humility can co-exist, even be synergistic. When we resolve to live honorably, the ensuing struggle compels us to acknowledge how weak we are – and how much we need Krishna’s mercy. And such neediness for Krishna is the heart of humility.

By a duty-centered synergy of humility and honor, we can march through life steadily and joyfully to Krishna.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 34

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