Those who parade their purity accumulate the impurity of pride (Gita Daily)

Based on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13, Text 08
By Caitanya Carana Das

On the spiritual path, freedom from the gross impurities of lust, greed and anger is invaluable. Such purity keeps us focused on Krishna amidst temptations.

However, the forces of illusion can misappropriate even the spiritually precious and abuse it to take us away from Krishna instead of towards him.

How might purity be thus misappropriated?
Through the pride of purity: “Because I am purer than others, I am superior to them.” As this pride grows, it makes us exhibit our purity for getting respect from others. The respect we get fuels our pride, which being voracious becomes not content but discontent — demanding more respect. Due to this increased craving, we parade our purity sanctimoniously without realizing that our heart is getting dirtied and darkened by the impurity of pride. As pride acts as a wall between us and Krishna, it obstructs us in thinking of his greatness and instead impels us to think of our own greatness.

Read More – http://www.gitadaily.com/2014/03/20/those-who-parade-their-purity-invite-the-impurity-of-pride/