Man Believes His Standards Are Absolute and Wants to Judge Everything, Including God: Hindu Perspective and Modern Relevance
In Hindu teachings, the concept of man believing that his standards are absolute, and wanting to judge everything—including God—reflects a key theme of spiritual ignorance, or Avidya. This type of arrogance, where one elevates their limited understanding to the level of cosmic judgment, is seen as a significant obstacle on the path to spiritual growth. Hindu philosophy suggests that human beings, bound by ego and limited by their senses, cannot comprehend the totality of divine truth, which transcends human experience and intellectual capacity.
Symbolism and Key Teachings
Ego (Ahamkara) as the Obstacle: The ego is considered one of the greatest barriers to spiritual enlightenment. In Hinduism, the ego (known as Ahamkara) is the false identification of the self with the body, mind, and intellect, rather than the true Self, or Atman, which is divine. When a man believes that his intellect and standards are absolute, it is often a manifestation of his Ahamkara—the illusion that he is in control and capable of judging everything, even God.
Bhagavad Gita 16.4 describes such people as:
"Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance—these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O Partha."
This passage highlights the danger of arrogance and the delusion that one can define or judge cosmic realities with limited human faculties.
Symbol of the Blind Men and the Elephant: A famous parable in Indian philosophy that is relevant here is the story of the blind men and the elephant. In this story, several blind men touch different parts of an elephant, and each man gives a completely different description of what the elephant is. One, touching the trunk, says the elephant is like a snake; another, feeling its side, insists it is like a wall; a third, holding the tail, claims it is like a rope.
This story symbolizes how limited human perspectives can never grasp the whole truth of divine or cosmic reality. Similarly, when man insists that his standards or views are absolute, he fails to recognize that his perspective is partial, just like the blind men and the elephant.
Maya (Illusion) and the Nature of Reality: In Hinduism, the material world and human perception are seen as part of Maya, or illusion. The Upanishads teach that Brahman, the Supreme Reality, is beyond human senses and logic. Thus, when man tries to apply his own standards to judge the Divine, he is operating under the veil of Maya, unable to see the truth.
Katha Upanishad 2.6.12 teaches:
"That which is beyond all human comprehension, beyond the senses, and beyond the mind, is the eternal Brahman, the ultimate reality."
This teaches humility, reminding us that divine truth is beyond intellectual grasp and requires spiritual insight, not judgment.
Importance in Hindu Thought
The idea that human standards are limited is crucial in fostering humility, surrender, and a deeper spiritual quest. Humility (Vinaya) is a central virtue in Hinduism. A person’s attempt to judge or question the workings of the Divine, believing their human standards are universal, is seen as a form of hubris that obstructs their spiritual progress. Hindu scriptures emphasize the need for surrender, or Ishvara Pranidhana, the devotion to and surrender before God’s will, as a way to attain peace and liberation.
In the Bhagavad Gita (18:66), Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to surrender to the divine will:
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."
Here, Krishna reminds us that ultimate wisdom and peace come not from judging or questioning divine plans but through surrender and trust in the larger cosmic order.
Modern Day Relevance
In today’s world, the tendency for humans to believe in the absolute authority of their intellect has become even more pronounced. With the rise of science, technology, and material success, people often feel that they can control or understand all aspects of life. This can lead to the neglect of the spiritual dimension and a growing hubris where people feel entitled to judge everything from ethics to even the idea of God.
Practicality in Day-to-Day Life:
Humility in Decision-Making: In our daily lives, understanding that our knowledge is limited helps foster humility. Whether in personal relationships, careers, or moral decisions, acknowledging that we do not have all the answers encourages openness to learning, dialogue, and the guidance of higher wisdom.
Letting Go of Control: When faced with uncertainty, stress, or crises, people often experience anxiety because they want to control the outcome. The Hindu teaching of surrender to God’s will (similar to “Let go and let God” in other traditions) offers a way to deal with challenges. This surrender does not mean passivity but rather recognizing that some things are beyond human control.
Fostering Patience and Compassion: Recognizing the limits of human judgment also encourages compassion. When we understand that others, too, are working with their own partial perspectives, we are more likely to be patient, forgiving, and less critical.
Stories and Analogies
The Story of Narada and the Sage: In one famous story, the sage Narada, known for his devotion to Vishnu, asked the Lord who was his greatest devotee. Expecting Vishnu to say his name, Narada was surprised when Vishnu pointed to a humble farmer who worked diligently in his fields. The farmer took Vishnu’s name only a few times a day, while Narada spent his entire time in devotional activities. Vishnu explained that the farmer's simple devotion, despite his challenging life, was more sincere than Narada’s judgmental attitude, showing that man cannot judge divine preference by his own limited understanding.
Similar Example
In Western thought, this theme is also seen in the Book of Job in the Bible. Job questions God about his suffering, expecting an answer that satisfies his human sense of justice. God’s response is a reminder that Job’s understanding is limited, saying, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (Job 38:4). This echoes the Hindu idea that divine plans and justice transcend human judgment.
The Hindu teaching that man cannot judge everything, including God, underscores the need for humility, surrender, and the realization that human standards are limited. In the modern world, where individualism and intellectual pride are often celebrated, this teaching serves as a reminder that true wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of our understanding and trusting in the larger cosmic order. This insight not only deepens spiritual growth but also enriches everyday life by encouraging patience, humility, and a sense of peace.