Ego – its impact

Self-propagation and self-aggrandisement are basic human instincts, prompted by the ego (ahankara) within. S Suriyamurthi of Chennai, a keen observer of human nature, notes how ego, beyond tolerable limits, can cause immense harm. He traces most cases of marital discord, as also problems among relatives, friends and office colleagues to this affliction in humans. History is also replete with instances of tyrants waging needless wars of attrition, merely to cater to their individual ego.

The great Hindi film, Abhimaan pictures touchingly the tragedy befalling a young couple due to a sordid male ego, while the Tamil film Mrudanga Chakravarty portrays the ego problems between father and son. The Kannada classic, Hamsageethe depicts the teacherdisciple (Guru-shishya) ego clash, leading to the suicide of the Guru and also the central character, Venkanna going through stages of ego purification in his evolution.

Ramanand Sagar’s TV serial Ramayana outlines how Ravana, possessed of a devilish ego, turns a deaf ear to his elders, wife, brothers and even his son, Indrajit. B R Chopra’s Mahabaratha brings out poignantly how ego and megalomania blind Dritharashtra and Duryodana, as they too, choose to sacrifice all their kith and kin, besides themselves, in the altar of their mighty ego. Instances akin to these, sadly, abound within and all around us! Villainy, thy name is ego! Thou art, doubtless, unfathomable and inscrutable!